Moldavite is a tektite, a glass formed by the impact of a large meteorite with the Earth's crust roughly 15 million years ago. It is prized for its intense, deep green color and distinctively sculpted, pockmarked surface textures that reflect its atmospheric entry and impact origins.

Hardness

5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Moldavite

Also: Bottle Stone

Hardness: 5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this moldavite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch moldavite with a known reference. Moldavite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Moldavite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Moldavite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bottle green, olive green, brownish green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: tektite forms, aerodynamically shaped, pitted and wrinkled surfaces.

Often confused with

Moldavite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

$Obsidian showing the bright conchoidal fracture and glassy black break that identify it$

How to tell apart: Olivine is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 5.5).

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All properties

Chemical formula: SiO₂
Mohs hardness: 5.5
Density: 2.3-2.6 g/cm³
Colors: Bottle Green Olive Green Brownish Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Amorphous
Crystal habit: Tektite Forms, Aerodynamically Shaped, Pitted and Wrinkled Surfaces
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Gemstone, Collector, Jewelry
Host rock: Strewn Field Deposits
Typical price: $20-200 per gram depending on quality and size

Where rockhounds find moldavite

Classic worldwide localities

Bohemia (Czech Republic)
Moravia (Czech Republic)

Field-hunting tip

Look in strewn field deposits country, the host setting where moldavite typically forms. Field specimens usually show a tektite forms, aerodynamically shaped, pitted and wrinkled surfaces habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify moldavite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include bottle green, olive green, brownish green.

Where is moldavite found?+

Notable localities include Bohemia (Czech Republic); Moravia (Czech Republic).

How much is moldavite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-200 per gram depending on quality and size. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like moldavite?+

Moldavite is most often confused with Obsidian, Olivine. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What kind of rock does moldavite form in?+

Moldavite typically forms in strewn field deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is moldavite used for?+

Moldavite is used in gemstone, collector, jewelry.

Find moldavite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.