Moldavite (Czech: Vltavin from the Vltava river) is an olive-green or dull greenish vitreous substance possibly formed by a meteorite impact. It was introduced to the scientific public in 1786 as "chrysolites" from Tyn nad Vltavou in a lecture by professor Josef Mayer of Prague University. The term "moldavite" derived from the town of Moldauthein (Czech: Tyn nad Vltavou) where the described pieces came from was first used in 1836.
In 1900, F. E. Suess pointed out that the gravel-size moldavites exhibited curious pittings and wrinkles on the surface, which could not be due to the action of water, but resembled the characteristic markings on many meteorites. Boldly attributing the material to a cosmic origin, he regarded moldavites as a special type of meteorite. However, for a long time, it was generally believed to be a variety of obsidian. Currently scientists believe that moldavites were formed about 14,700,000 years ago during the impact of a giant meteorite in present-day Nordlinger Ries.
99% of all moldavite finds have come from the South Bohemian localities, 1% were found in South Moravian localities. Only tens of pieces were found in the Lusatian area (near Dresden), Cheb basin area (West Bohemia) and Northern Austria (near Radessen). The total amount of Moldavite scattered around the world is estimated at 275 tons.
There are typically two grades of moldavite: high quality, often referred to as museum grade, and regular grade. The regular grade pieces are usually darker and more saturated in their green color, and the surface is seen as closely spaced pitting or weathering. The museum grade has a distinct fern-like pattern and is much more translucent than the regular grade. High-quality moldavite stones are often used in hand-crafted jewelry and have gained an almost cult status.
