How to Tell If Moldavite Is Fake

Examine the moldavite with an eye toward color and texture. Moldavites vary in color from a dusty green to a deep olive hue, but the colors tend to be muted and dusky. While moldavites can be both smooth and spiky, no moldavites are as smooth and pristine as cut glass. If the moldavite you are examining is smooth, shiny and bright-green in color, you are most likely looking at a fake moldavite that was produced by melting green glass bottles into a new shape.

Pay attention to the source of your moldavite stone. While vendors for moldavite are located around the world, moldavite itself is mined only in Eastern Europe, most commonly in the Czech Republic. The comet that is believed to have crashed into Earth, creating moldavite deposits upon impact, landed only once in what was formerly southern Bohemia. Minor deposits have been found in isolated pockets of Sweden, Austria and Germany, but comparatively little moldavite is mined in these regions. Therefore if the seller claims his moldavite was mined anywhere other than the Czech Republic, the stone is most likely a fake.

Be aware that the larger the moldavite, the higher the price. The largest moldavite ever mined weighed approximately 260 grams, just under half of a pound. Consequently, many retailers of fake Moldavite will try to scam potential customers with "inside deals" on even larger and more fabulous moldavites. In reality, stones weighing more than 30 grams are extremely unusual (especially if priced under $1,000), so moldavites weighing more than that should be regarded with skepticism.

Try to purchase moldavite in person from a vendor instead of anonymously online, in order to actually touch the stone. Many moldavite enthusiasts, such as the proprietor of Moldavite for Me, and new-age healers claim that the stone's outer-space origins imbued it with unique energies and vibes. It is postulated that when you touch the moldavite your hands will tingle and you may experience dizziness and lightness in the head. While the touch test is not a guaranteed method of authentication, it is something to bear in mind when shopping for moldavite stones.