Moldavite

Hardness: 5.5-7.0 (Mohs scale), Color: Forest green to olive green, Luster: Vitreous, Structure: Amorphous (glassy), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.3

Formed approximately 15 million years ago by a meteorite impact in Southern Germany (the Ries impact event), which flung molten terrestrial silica into the atmosphere that cooled and fell as glass (tektites) in the Czech Republic.

Primarily used in jewelry, as gemstone specimens for collectors, and in metaphysical practices.

Moldavite is the only tektite in the world of gemstone quality. Its unique aerodynamic textures (pits and wrinkles) are caused by the extreme heat and speed of its flight through Earth's atmosphere.

Identify by its characteristic mossy or forest green color and sculpted, pitted surface. Genuine pieces often contain lechatelierite (high-temperate silica glass) and elongated gas bubbles, visible under magnification. Found almost exclusively in the Vltava River basin of the Czech Republic.