Moldavite - green tektite

Moldavite is an olive-green or dull greenish vitreous substance formed by a meteorite impact. It is one kind of tektite. It was named by A. Dufrnoy from Moldauthein in Bohemia, where it occurs. It is sometimes cut and polished as an ornamental stone under the name of pseudo-chrysolite. Its bottle glass color led to its being commonly called Boute-illenstein, and at one time it was regarded as an artificial product, but this view is opposed to the fact that no remains of glassworks are found in the neighborhood of its occurrence, moreover pieces of the substance are widely distributed in Tertiary and early Pleistocene deposits in Bohemia and Moravia. For a, long time it was generally believed to be a variety of obsidian, but its difficult fusibility and its chemical composition are rather against its volcanic origin. Dr. F.E. Suess pointed out that the nodules or small masses of moldavite presented 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 moldavite as a special type of meteorite for which he proposed the name of tectite. To this type are also referred the so-called obsidian bombs and buttons from Australia and Tasmania, known sometimes as australites, and called
by R.H. Walcott obsidianites. Similar bodies have been found in Malaysia and have been termed billitonite, from the isle of Belitung where they occur in tin-bearing gravels. Usually they are flat, rounded or ellipsoidal bodies, sometimes surrounded by an equatorial girdle or rim, and often with a brilliant black superficial luster, as though varnished. Moldavite has been reported also from Skåneland in Sweden.

Moldavite (also known as Vltavines and pronounced vultaveens) originated almost 15 million years ago, when a giant meteorites hit Europe. Due to the extremely high temperature and pressure of the explosion, the meteorite and the surrounding rocks melted and sprayed some of the glassy substance (moldavite) into a region of south Czech Republic.

Moldavites are noted for many distinquished features. Above all, it is the gorgeous green colour, which together with its clarity and originate sculpture of the surface, is a predetermination of this precious stone for jewelry manufacturing. Moldavite is a much sought of stone for a very high content of cosmic energy and gas enclosures of primary atmosphere.
On the Mohs scale of hardness they rate anywhere from a 6.5 to 7.0. Diamond is a 10 and common glass about a 5.0. Interestingly, the melting point of Moldavite is 1400 degrees, whereas glass is about 1100 degrees. They contain silica and various metallic oxides, including alumina, low amounts of iron oxides and potassium oxide. They have an extremely low water content. Moldavites often contain bubbles which have a rather high vacuum, equaling the air pressure at a height of around twenty kilometers. It is believed that they are shaped during their flight passing through the atmosphere. This occurred about 15 million years ago. Stone age man found and used these prized stones as tools and later they were valued as talismans.

Metaphysical Properties: Stone of communication. Stimulates cooperation and transfer of energies between those of extra-terrestrial origins and those inhabiting earth. Moldavite works well with the third eye, throat and crown chakras. It supplies energy, removes headache, tiredness and listlessness, and helps to strengthen the immunity system. It corresponds to all astrological signs.

In legend, Moldavite is associated with the fabled Stone of the Holy Grail, which was said to be an emerald that fell from the sky, out of the crown of an angel. Exposure to the Stone of the Grail was said to quicken one's spiritual evolution.