FactSheet – Moldavite
Pronounced: 'mold-a-vite'

Origin
The origins of Moldavite are steeped in mystery and controversy!

Theory 1: It came from outer space, melted as it flew through the Earth’s atmosphere thereby forming its characteristic rough surface texture.
Theory 2: The impact of a large meteorite from outer space hitting the Earth caused surrounding rocks to melt and scatter and form the rough surface as they cooled. (Our favourite!)
Theory 3: Time to research... try Google and enjoy!

Composition: Mainly silicon dioxide: SiO2
Structure: Amorphous (no distinct crystal structure). A rough surface in natural state with distinctive jagged, scarred texture.
Colour: Olive green/greeny brown. Transparent and/or translucent.

Sources
Found ONLY in the Czech Republic near the Moldau River (hence the name moldavite).

Our view...
There is a fantastic display of Czech moldavite in Prague’s magnificent National Museum. Ray tracked down a specialist museum in Tyn nad Vltavou, which required considerable persistence to gain admission to!

Moldavite jewellery is presently bought from a commune in the Krakov region of Poland. Here there is a permanent ceremony of burning moldavite fragments with the whole community seeking an affinity with moldavite.
They select moldavite pieces for cutting into facet stones or using in a rough form for making into a comprehensive range of gold and silver jewellery.

Recently, moldavite has been promoted in China – we foresee a shortage of raw material and hence price hikes in the near future.

Maybe half of Crystals (UK) staff own a piece of this jewellery (many having an entire collection).

Ros Mason – March 2006
© Crystals (UK) Ltd. T/A Crystals Reg. No. 5056864.

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Birthstones
& Zodiac stones
Our choices of stones are an amalgamation of modern and traditional systems, as well as those originating from Roman, Hebrew and Ayurvedic sources. We hope you find them useful.


Birthstones

January – Garnet
(also Rose Quartz)

February – Amethyst
(also Onyx)

March – Aquamarine
(also Bloodstone, Red Jasper)

April – Diamond
(also Rock Crystal/Quartz)

May – Emerald
(also Agate, Chrysoprase)

June – Moonstone
(also Pearl, Alexandrite)

July – Ruby
(also Jade, Carnelian)

August – Peridot
(also Carnelian, Sardonyx)

September – Sapphire
(also Chrysolite, Lapis Lazuli)

October – Opal
(also Beryl, Pink Tourmaline)

November – Yellow Topaz
(also Citrine)

December – Turquoise
(also Blue Topaz)


Zodiac Stones

Aquarius – Garnet

Pisces – Amethyst

Aries – Bloodstone

Taurus – Sapphire

Gemini – Agate

Cancer – Emerald

Leo – Onyx

Virgo – Carnelian

Libra – Chrysolite

Scorpio – Beryl

Sagittarius – Topaz

Capricorn – Ruby

Crystals (UK) Ltd.
Head Office: 13 Norman Court, Budlake Rd, Marsh Barton
Exeter EX2 8PY, UK
www.crystalshop.co.uk