Moldavite
Consumer Information
What color is it?: Green, but generally a darker brownish green as shown above.
What is the story behind this gemstone?: In spite of what the name this gemstone is not made from mold. Rather it is a natural glass reported to be formed by the heating of silicon rich rocks at the impact point of a meteorite. That are many possible ways in which it can form but the meteorite theory has the most industry acceptance...and is the most fun.
Can I wear it everyday?: Well, yes and no. It is, after all, glass. So it will wear fairly well. But it can be rather pricey in larger sizes so you may want to be a bit careful where and how you wear it.
Is it expensive?: About the same as a nice amethyst in larger sizes.
Is it a birthstone?: No.
What do I need to know before going shopping?: Retail jewelry stores rarely carry this stone. Usually it can be found in some of the artsy types of places where people are stringing beads and making wire wrap jewelry in a small shop with a lot of incense burning. Which is good because it takes some really artistic effort to make this stone look really nice in a setting. So go to one of the artsy places to find the best pieces.
General Information
Source: First from Moldau, Czechoslavakia (hence the name), also in the United States and Australia
Chemical: SiO2 silicon oxide
Formation: Impact points of meteorites
Crystal System: None
Unusual Properties: None
Gemological Information
RI: 1.48 - 1.50
Birefringence: None
Optic Character: SR
Specific Gravity: 2.32 - 2.39 + -
Hardness: 5.5
Transparency: Transparent to Translucent
Special Identifying Properties and Tests: None
Synthetics: It is, after all, glass to start with.
Imitations: See above.