With the popularity of Moldavite on the rise this is a question that we get asked a lot and for good reason. In recent years the internet has exploded with cheap, fake, manufactured Moldavite. The market for the mysterious, and increasingly rare, Moldavite gemstone is flooded with counterfeit pieces in both raw, cut and polished forms. It is important to understand the subtle particularities of Moldavite to prevent being taken advantage of.
At inspired living, we are so grateful that we had the pleasure of meeting one of two reputable suppliers of Moldavite in the United States, last year at the Livonia Crystal and Gem Show. Our Moldavite is purchased from Claude Kraemer the owner of Moldavite/T.W. Desgins. Claude specializes in Moldavite and buys directly from Czech Republic, and is very specific about who does the faceting of stones for the pieces he designs as well.
Claude has a collection of fake "moldavites" that he uses to educate buyers, most of it bought online, but there are plenty of fakes that are offered up for sale at major gem shows around the country. If you are interested in learning more about Moldavite and seeing examples of fake Moldavite, here is a link to an article with lots of examples from Claude's collection.
Origin of the Stone
First of all, it is important to know the origin of Moldavite before getting started. Moldavite is believed to be the product of a Meteorite collision with the Earth about 14.8 Million years ago. Moldavite, known locally as Vltavín, is found only in the Moldau River valley of the Czech Republic; roughly a 40 square mile area. So how can you be certain of the origin of the stone, since many counterfeit stones are accompanied by a counterfeit certificate of authenticity?
The online market of Moldavite is overflowing with replicas from Asia, but fake Moldavite is also sold throughout Europe and many other countries as well. It is not uncommon to find counterfeit pieces offered by private parties who have been duped and are trying to recover their losses.
Researching the dealer's history and verified reviews from former customers and clients will reward you with the most valuable of remunerations - the truth. You must keep in mind that many dealers have also been fooled into believing that their stock of Moldavite is genuine, since this stone is so very rare and some replicas can be quite convincing. However, there are ways to discern the true Moldavite stone from the false.
Visual Clues
- True Moldavite is known for its olive-green color that ranges from pale and translucent to varying hues of deep forest green with possible streaks of brown.
- Many times, gas bubbles were trapped when the Moldavite was formed and can be seen. These bubbles are a very good indication of genuine Moldavite.
- Size of the piece should also be considered. Many fake Moldavite pieces are impressively large with bargain prices that are indeed too good to be true.
- Many counterfeit pieces of Moldavite have a shiny glass-like finish, which is appropriate because they actually are masterpieces of molten glass that have been molded with care, and sometimes the seams of the mold are easily seen.
- Beware of anyone selling Moldavite that's not from the Czech Republic or even green. Many sellers market other stones as Moldavite to capitalize on it's popularity. "White Moldavite" is usually nothing more than Calcite. "African Moldavite" has more in common with Sea Glass than an actual Tektite.
Instinctive Clues
The most secure method of discerning authentic Moldavite is to personally examine and hold a stone, as the energy that is exuded from Moldavite is quite distinctive. Moldavite is classified by metaphysicians as an ascension stone because of this stone's particularly high frequency-rate of energy. Many people report a feeling of heat, tingling sensations, and/or disorientation when in contact with Moldavite or even in the environment of the stone.