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Is Your Moldavite Real or Fake?

sheila of satin crystals holding two moldavite piecesYou want real Moldavite, and you want it now!

How do you know that Satin Crystals sells real Moldavite and not a manmade phony like so many other companies?

This is a common question we get from potential customers: Do you sell real Moldavite?

Yes! We want you to have the real Moldavite. At Satin Crystals we only sell genuine, authentic Moldavite from our trusted partners in the Czech Republic. 

You should feel good and confident when you buy Moldavite, not fearful that you'll be tricked into a fake. Satin Crystals has been in the gemstone and meteorite business since 2001. Lisa Satin lives in Central Europe where she enjoys strong ties with the Moldavite trade in the Czech Republic. She has these real Moldavites shipped to Sheila in California, and from there they are shipped to you.

We are very strict on where we source our Moldavite because we refuse to sell replicas. 

Do you want to know more about the healing properties of Moldavite? We have an in-depth article on Moldavite Gemstone Meanings  

Watch the video on Moldavite identification

How can I tell if Moldavite is real or fake?

Fake Moldavite is becoming more common as real Moldavite increases in value and demand. Besides testing in a gemological laboratory or buying straight from a trusted source, here are some tips on how to tell if your Moldavite is real and not a synthetic piece of green glass or plastic:

1. Real Moldavite is always green: There is a wide range of green hues associated with Moldavite. It can be light green, forest green, dark green, midnight green, yellow-green, brown-green, etc. However, if you encounter Moldavite in any other color, it is either a synthetic fake or a completely different mineral.

2. Real Moldavite has unpredictable textures: Moldavite can be smooth, cratered, wavy, lumpy, or a combination of textures. However, these textures shouldn't be uniform all around the specimen. If it's too "perfectly textured", it needs to be in a museum or has a high chance of being phony.

3. Real Moldavite is asymmetrical: Moldavite can be semi-circular, semi-spherical, semi-cylindrical, wand-like, club-like, or randomly shaped. If you spot a specimen that is just a tad too "perfectly symmetrical", be wary of its authenticity unless you are admiring it in a museum. Under a strong microscope, you should also be able to see the air bubbles and the uneven, wavy streaming lines within the stone. 

4. Real Moldavite has monetary value: This isn't quite a visual inspection of the Moldavite itself, but insight into the price tag you are looking at. Moldavite is the only Tektite considered to be a gemstone. If the price is too good to be true, guess what?! It's probably too cheap to be real.

5. Real Moldavite has worm-like inclusions: When seen under a strong microscope up to 10x magnification, you should see wavy inclusions. These are lechatelierite inclusions, which are the result of sand particles that melted during the stone's formation. But, unlike Quartz, which is a Silicon Dioxide forming slowly with high-temperature, lechatelierite forms by instantaneous events like meteorites and lightning strikes. 

6. Moldavite is always from the Czech Republic: Moldavite only sell in a single event millions and millions of years ago in the area we now know as the Czech Republic. If anyone is passing off African Moldavite, Chinese Moldavite, or any other location's "Moldavite" to you, they are fakes. They may be natural Tektites, but they will never be the one-and-only Moldavite!

7. Moldavite does not have a glassy luster: Although Moldavite is a naturally formed glass, in its rough formation, it is not glassy looking like manmade glass. If you have a piece of rough Moldavite, it will appear matte and earthy rather than slick and wet. If your textured Moldavite is looking shiny and lusterous, this is a good indication of a fake. The only time real Moldavite should look glassy is if it has a fracture or if it is polished. 

Does my Satin Crystals' Moldavite come with a Certificate of Authenticity?

You've seen it all over the internet- Moldavite sellers promising you a Certificate of Authenticity (COAs) with your purchase. We hate to break it to you, but their COAs are worth nothing more than the cheap paper it was printed on. Look closely, it's just a piece of paper that they printed from their home office (often with spelling and grammar mistakes) that they created to make you feel better. COAs have nothing to do with the authenticity of the Moldavite, it's a marketing gimmick.

Here at Satin Crystals, we are straightforward. No, we don't give you a Certificate of Authenticity because it has no value.

The only true way to know if a rock is a tektite is to have it tested in a reputable laboratory. 

We guarantee you that 99.9% of the companies offering you a COA did not have the Moldavite lab-verified by a real scientist. That's why it's meaningless.

Visual testing of real versus fake Moldavite

Let's take a look at real samples of Moldavite from the online marketplace.

The real samples are Satin Crystals Moldavite, while the fakes are very popular manufactured Moldavite from other vendors.

For those who do not mind synthetic material, fake Moldavite is an excellent and affordable choice. For those who want real Moldavite from the Czech Republic, don't be duped. Just because the fakes claim to be real Moldavite of the Czech Republic, it does not mean that they are.

Moldavite is considered a gemstone, and the price will reflect it.

Example # 1:real vs fake moldaviteReal Moldavite Visual Analysis:

  • Color: Green (Correct)
  • Texture: Wavy (Correct)
  • Shape: Random (Correct)
  • Price: Gemstone (Correct)

Fake "Moldavite" Blue Glass Visual Analysis:

  • Color: Blue (Incorrect)
  • Texture: Slight Ridges (Correct)
  • Shape: Almost Symmetrically Oval (Highly Suspicious)
  • Price: Bargain Bin (Highly Suspicious)

Result: The Satin Crystals Moldavite looks (and is) genuine, based on the visual test. The Fake Blue Glass is 100% conclusively fake simply due to its color. Moldavite is never blue. Yet, because a visual test should never be conclusive (maybe the color filters on your monitor are off?), we will rate the Fake Blue Moldavite as a 99.99% chance of being Blue Glass.

Example #2:real vs fake moldavite

 Real Moldavite Visual Analysis:

  • Color: Green (Correct)
  • Texture: Wavy, Shards (Correct)
  • Shape: Random (Correct)
  • Price: Gemstone (Correct)

Fake "Moldavite" Green Glass Visual Analysis:

  • Color: Green (Correct)
  • Texture: Plastic-like, even waves (Incorrect)
  • Shape: Random (Correct)
  • Price: Bargain Bin (Highly Suspicious)

Result: The Satin Crystals Moldavite looks (and is) genuine, based on the visual test. The Fake Green Glass rates at about 50% suspicious based on this visual test.

If you are 50% suspicious of the authenticity, it's better to move on or find out more before purchasing.

As someone who specializes in handling Moldavite, I rate it a 99.99% chance of being fake at very first glance. Unfortunately, it is a popular product due to its price and is well-rated by customers due to lack of knowledge.

Where can I find real Moldavite?

Are you ready to become an owner of the rare and real Moldavite? We have authentic Moldavite that you can feel good about.

Need extra reassurance that you're getting the real deal? We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You have nothing to lose when you shop at Satin Crystals.

Shop the Moldavite Collection or pick your pieces right here and now: 

Your Moldavite Journeys

Do you love the feel of real Moldavite? Are you feeling more confident purchasing Moldavite online? Comment on the blog below. 

Meanwhile, here are additional resources for your Moldavite knowledge: 

Don't forget to sign up for the Satin Crystals VIP Club for special insight, gemstone stories, and members-only specials on Moldavite. 

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Comments

Paula - June 14, 2021

Wow your customer service is absolutely amazing! I really appreciate you reaching out, I saw your YouTube video about Moldavite and so I wanted to buy two, One for myself because I feel like I’m doing a lot of cleansing on my own and the crystal well not a crystal but I feel like it’ll help a lot in pushing me in new directions, And I want one for my friend as well to help her through her journey

Sheila Satin - June 14, 2021

Hi Heather, you can find our return policy here: https://satincrystals.com/pages/return-policy

Heather - June 12, 2021

I am interested in my first piece but would like to know if I am not satisfied I can return it?

Sheila Satin - June 9, 2021

HI Kristie, yes, your Moldavite would look shiny on the cracks. It is a natural glass, so it would look glassy at the fracture points :)

Kristie White - June 9, 2021

I’m just wondering if broken open would a real Moldavite look polished on the inside or should it be the same matte all over? I had my pieces checked out and was told they were real by a person who owns a large popular crystal with years experience but it was via photo & he coulda just been being nice. I ask because I have cracked a few I use the chips for jewelry making. Thanks appreciate any help I can get. Might just send some off to be tested! Lots invested!

Sheila Satin - May 6, 2021

Hi Kesia, for Moldavite, here is lots of information on it: https://satincrystals.com/pages/moldavite-article

And if you are using it metaphysically, here’s how to clean and care for it. Note that it can go in water, but it is a natural glass, so don’t be too rough with it: https://satincrystals.com/pages/crystal-care

Kesia - May 6, 2021

I do have a question about the Moldavite. Once it arrives, How do I cleanse it? Or is it already cleanse? & how often do I have to cleanse it or its not really necessary.

Sheila Satin - April 26, 2021

You are welcome!

Lindsey - April 26, 2021

Thanks for getting back to me so quick. Actually I’d rather just buy another piece and Keep this is regular jewelry. Crazy thing is my roommate gave me his 30 day notice he was moving out the same day I put it on. That’s Crazy. Anyways I plan to buy another piece I just don’t know if I want raw material or another Jewelry set.
Thanks so much!!

Sheila Satin - April 26, 2021

Hi Lindsey, yes, Moldavite can be tumbled and polished smooth. If it’s totally smooth with no surface crevices, you’re going to have to look within the gemstone to make sure it has air bubbles and distinct lechatelierite inclusions. This may be difficult if you are not experienced at looking within gemstones, in which case you’ll have to seek advice from a professional laboratory.

Here is an article that may help you: https://satincrystals.com/blogs/news/is-your-moldavite-real

We just put up some tumbled Moldavites, but you’ll notice a lot of the surface craters and pits: https://satincrystals.com/products/moldavite-crystal-tumbled-with-love-soul-star-chakra-stone

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