Moldavite - $2/carat
Locality: Czech Republic

This material is basically natural glass. It typically has bubbles and mold like strands in it... This material cuts and polishes with very little trouble and makes a surprisingly nice stone. However the correct design is important, because the refractive index is on the low side (1.48-150). Pick a design with a simple pavilion that is not too deep. I like Moldavite cut in a checker board.

Most Moldavite has a thick rind on it so expect to loose a little size when cutting the rind off. Also not all Moldavite has a nice color, so choosing a nice green is important. All of this rough has nice color and no dark black green.

Moldavite is supposedly a tektite (there is some debate), created when a large meteor crashed into the earth with such force that it propelled material outside of the atmosphere. This material fell back to the earth in what is now the the Czech Republic.

Note: There are people selling "African Moldavite". Be aware that this material is fake and in reality bottle glass.

Currently Available:
1 each 22.60 carats - $45.20 green, best cut marquise - 15.2mm x 28.8mm x 9.5mm deep

Rough Index

E-mail to inquire or order: jeff@faceters.com or jeff@cabbers.com