Tektite

TEKTITES

Moldavite
Moldavite Libyan Glass Moldavite Moldavite

  • Chemistry: Varies but is mostly silica glass with impurities of magnesium, iron and other elements.
  • Class: Mineraloids
  • Uses: As a gemstone and as collection specimens
  • The Physical Properties of Tektities.
  • Tektite Specimens
Tektites are still poorly understood. They are irregularly- and at times intricately-shaped nodules and blobs of a glassy substance. They have no crystal structure, and are therefore similar to obsidian, but are not associated with volcanic processes. Their chemistry is unique and somewhat unexplained.

The leading theory concerning their origin is the "Meteorite Impact Theory". It is postulated that many odd events occur during a meteor's impact because of the tremendous heat and pressure produced. Tektites may be fused glass that formed during an impact of a meteor with layers of rock on the Earth's surface. Tektites occur in broad bands in specific localities in different parts of the world. These bands produce characteristically similar tektites and are sometimes loosely associated with meteorite craters or suspected craters. Could these fields represent splash material from an impact? Many believe so and this idea is gaining acceptance from many scientists. The odd and diverse chemistry of the tektites could be a result of unique meteorites hitting unique rock types with the combinations producing particular effects.

Many tektites have a teardrop shape that could easily form as blobs of liquefied quartz cooled in air while falling to the Earth.

Some tektites, called Moldavites, are especially prized for their clarity and unique green color. Moldavites are found in a "splash field" centered around Moldavia in former Czechoslovakia and are believed to have come from a meteorite crater in Germany. Moldavites are sometimes cut as gemstones or put into jewelry as natural uncut pieces to show off their often eerie and beautifully intricate shapes.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Color is black, green or colorless.
  • Luster is vitreous to dull.
  • Transparency: Gemmy tektites are transparent to translucent, but most are nearly opaque.
  • Crystal System does not apply because tektites are amorphous.
  • Habits are usually small nodules or splinters that vary from simple rounded shapes to very intricate natural carvings. Many have smooth, scarred, or pitted surfaces.
  • cleavage is absent.
  • Fracture is conchoidal.
  • Hardness is 5 - 6.
  • Specific Gravity is approximately 2.5 (somewhat light).
  • Streak is white.
  • Other Characteristics: Can sometimes be directly associated with meteorite impact craters.
  • Notable Occurrences include Moldavia region of Eastern Europe; Thailand and southeast Asia; Australia and Georgia, USA.
  • Best Field Indicators are color, odd shapes, localities and lack of cleavage or crystal faces.
TEKTITES specimens:
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TEKTITES specimen tek-7
$ 33.00
Dims: 1.2" x 0.7" x 0.3"(3.0 x 1.8 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 3.8 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
A rather small, thin specimen of Moldavite, this piece has a shape that reminds me a bit of the Native American bearpaw fetish- it even has some deep grooves where one would expect the bear's claws to be! It is a singular piece, not a portion of a larger one that was broken or cut off, and it has the characteristic concentric pitting that one expects of this material. Its luster is greasy and it shows almost no damage. It has a moderate forest-green color and is transparent, though the pitting interferes with its clarity. I think that this particular piece has great jewelry potential- offhand, I can think of several ideas for setting it into a pendant or a ring.
no photo
tek-7 ($ 33.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-8
$ 31.00
Dims: 1.8" x 0.6" x 0.2"(4.6 x 1.5 x 0.5 cm)
Wt: 3.5 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
An extremely thin piece, this Moldavite specimen has the characteristic forest-green color, greasy luster, and pitting that I have found in most of our latest specimens. On one side of this piece the tiny pits are arranged so as to appear as if they are radiating from an area in its center. The other side of the specimen has some similar pitting, but its directional alignment is spoiled by the presence of several large, parallel grooves that travel along its length. It is transparent, though the pitting interrupts its clarity. Though it seems very thin and delicate, this specimen shows no breakage or chipping.
no photo
tek-8 ($ 31.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-9
$ 29.00
Dims: 0.9" x 0.5" x 0.5"(2.3 x 1.3 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 3.2 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
One of the smallest Moldavite specimens that we have available, this oval piece shows both large and small pitting in its surface that is non-directional, accenting the stone's greasy luster. It is colored forest-green and is transparent, though the pitting interrupts clarity. A few small, round brilliant stones could conceivably be faceted out of this material, or maybe even a good-sized step-cut stone, or just a simple wire-wrapping to leave it in its present state of amorphous intrigue. It could use a bit of scrubbing with a small brush, though, to finish its cleanliness.
no photo
tek-9 ($ 29.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-10
$ 45.00
Dims: 1.0" x 0.8" x 0.4"(2.5 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 4.9 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
This Moldavite specimen is distinct because it has extremely large pits in its surface. These pits exceed 4 mm in diameter, and one is twice that size! These larger pits have smaller uniform depressions inside of them, which in turn are marked with even smaller depressions! The specimen shows almost no damage, and has the standard forest-green color, greasy luster, and transparence of most Moldavite. The larger pits do not seem to interfere as much, making this specimen seem clearer than most others that I have seen.
no photo
tek-10 ($ 45.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-11
$ 34.00
Dims: 0.9" x 0.8" x 0.4"(2.3 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 3.6 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
A rather small specimen, this flattened chunk of Moldavite shows the standard pattern of tiny pits that radiate outwards from a central location on one side, and much larger pits on the other side that almost resemble "tracks" in its surface. It shows no conchoidal fracture marks, and so is undamaged. It has the standard green color, greasy luster, and transparence of Moldavite, but seems to be clearer when looking through the side that has the larger pitting than through the other side. There is a small spot of dirt or powder of some sort that can probably be scrubbed off.
no photo
tek-11 ($ 34.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-14
$ 63.00
Dims: 1.2" x 0.9" x 0.4"(3.0 x 2.3 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 7.0 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
This spsecimen's color is a bit deeper and bluer than that of many of the smaller specimens in our stock. It shows heavy pitting, and like many other specimens, there is a radiating appearance to the pattern that this pitting creates. There are a few very deep, round hollows, though, that interrupt this pattern on one side. The specimen's color is forest-green, it has a greasy luster, and it is transparent, showing dim clarity.
no photo
tek-14 ($ 63.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-16
$ 113.00
Dims: 1.5" x 1.0" x 0.5"(3.8 x 2.5 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 12.5 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
One of the larger specimens of Moldavite in our stock, this piece is covered with long, thin pits that radiate in a pattern from the centers of the two main faces on the flat, oval piece. It has a few damaged spots, showing conchoidal fracturing tendencies and vitreous luster, but most of the piece is in its original condition, with more of a greasy luster and the uneven, pitted surface. Its color is a deep forest-green and it is transparent, though the heavy pitting interrupts its clarity. Under magnification, one can see that the largest pits have smaller pits inside of them, which in turn have smaller pits inside of them, which have microscopic pits inside of them; it is wonderful to look at!
no photo
tek-16 ($113.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-17
$ 100.00
Dims: 1.4" x 1.2" x 0.6"(3.6 x 3.0 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 11.0 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
Another large specimen of the meteoric glass that comes from the famous Czechoslovak locality, this specimen of Moldavite shows very heavy patterning due to pitting. I don't know exactly what causes such pitting, only that each pit is lined with smaller pits, which are lined with smaller pits, and so on. I don't know how small in size the patterns go- I will have to commandeer a microscope to see. This pitting accentuates the piece's greasy luster and interferes with its clarity. The stone is transparent and has a forest-green color. I cannot see any form of damage on the specimen, as such damage would be easily visible in the form of scars with conchoidal tendencies and a vitreous luster. There is a small amount of brown, "foreign"(another play on words, ugh!) material in two recesses in its surface that may be removable through scrubbing or use of a dental pick.
no photo
tek-17 ($100.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-18
$ 130.00
Dims: 1.5" x 0.8" x 0.8"(3.8 x 2.0 x 2.0 cm)
Wt: 14.8 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
One of the largest specimens of Moldavite in our stock, this piece has a rather long, teardrop-shaped form with a thin, tubular hollow that runs along three-fourths of its length. It shows heavy pitting on its outer surface, and much smaller, shallow indentations lining the tubular hollow. The pitting seems to follow a pattern, but I know little about what causes it, thus it is difficult to trace it over the stone. The pitting does accentuate the specimen's greasy luster, though, and though it is transparent, the pitting also interferes with its clarity. I think it is the oddest-looking Moldavite piece in our stock.
no photo
tek-18 ($130.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-19
$ 89.00
Dims: 1.2" x 0.8" x 0.5" (3.0 x 2.0 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 8.3 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
This small Moldavite specimen is in excellent condition, showing no damage. Its entire surface is striated, playing havoc with its pearly luster. It has the standard forest-green coloration that one expects from this material, and it appears to be transparent and very clear, though its textured surface prevents me from being certain.
no photo
tek-19 ($ 89.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-20
$ 65.00
Dims: 1.6" x 1.1" x 0.2" (4.1 x 2.8 x 0.5 cm)
Wt: 5.7 g
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
This Moldavite specimen is in the form of a flat, slightly curved slab. It has the rather intense pitting that is expected of this material, and only shows one tiny area of conchoidal fracture at its narrow end. Its color is forest-green, and it is transparent, though its clarity is spoiled from the pitting. This piece would make an exceptional wire-wrapped pendant, as its thinness would allow light to pass through quite easily.
no photo
tek-20 ($ 65.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia
TEKTITES specimen tek-21
$ 127.00
Dims: 1.6" x 0.7" x 0.6" (4.1 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 11.8 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This particular Moldavite specimen is shaped more or less like a long "teardrop". It shows a few tiny spots of damage where some of its bright, vitreous luster peeps through, but almost all of its surface has the natural, intense pitting that forms bizarre patterns on its surface and dulls its luster to a dull, waxy patina. It has the standard forest-green coloration and is transparent and most likely clear, though the surface makes this determination nearly impossible to confirm. Such a piece could be "capped" or maybe wire-wrapped at the narrow end to make an exceptional pendant.
no photo
tek-21 ($127.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-22
$ 115.00
Dims: 1.5" x 1.2" x 0.3" (3.8 x 3.0 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 10.7 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This rather flat piece has some rather interesting aspects to it. One of these is the fact that the pitting on its surface has a much rounder, more separated appearance than the nearly vein-like patterning that I have seen on most specimens. This pitting is very well-defined, and the pits are larger than most; this gives the viewer a better perception of the clarity of this transparent, forest-green material. It also appears to have a brighter vitreous luster than many others. Lastly, it has a shape that faintly resembles that of a Zuni bear fetish!
no photo
tek-22 ($115.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-24
$ 50.00
Dims: 1.0" x 0.7" x 0.3" (2.5 x 1.8 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 4.7 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This small Moldavite specimen is in very good condition, showing only a few small scars where some minor breakage has occurred. Like most other Moldavite specimens, it has a moderately dark forest-green color and shows a pearly luster. This pearly luster is caused by the intense pitting and patterning on the piece's surface. The patterns also make it rather difficult to determine the clarity of the transparent material, though I am relatively sure that it is quite clear.
no photo
tek-24 ($ 50.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-25
$ 71.00
Dims: 1.2" x 0.8" x 0.4" (3.0 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 6.7 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
Like most Moldavite specimens, this piece has the standard forest-green color. The surface of this particular specimen shows some unusually fine, long pitting that looks almost like striations. This fine patterning reduces the piece's luster so that it is duller than most, appearing nearly waxy! The Moldavite is transparent and appears to be clear, though this is not easy to determine, with that pitting. It has a flat, formless tabular shape that is slightly curved. The piece is in excellent condition, showing almost no human-induced damage.
no photo
tek-25 ($ 71.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-29
$ 110.00
Dims: 0.9" x 0.8" x 0.7" (2.3 x 2.0 x 1.8 cm)
Wt: 8.4 g
Libya
The person who collected this Tektite and sold it to me told me that it is known as Libya Glass, due to its general clarity and locality. This particular specimen is in excellent condition, showing no human-induced damage, and has no regular form. Its color is a pale yellow and it has a dull, waxy luster. It is only dimly translucent, which is likely caused by its many tiny, included nodules of white cristobalite. These nodules do not exceed 2 mm in diameter, and are generally scattered within the Tektite, though there does seem to be a rather large formation of intergrown nodules near the center of the piece. There is no host rock present.
no photo
tek-29 ($110.00)
Libya
TEKTITES specimen tek-30
$ 140.00
Dims: 1.5" x 1.1" x 0.5" (3.8 x 2.8 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 9.2 g
Libya (j)
This particular Tektite is of a variety known as Libya Glass, due to its relatively high clarity and locality. It has a form that reminds me of that of siderite meteorites, wherein every face on its surface is concave. The specimen is in excellent condition, showing no damage, and has a rather dull, waxy luster. Its color is a pale, watery yellow and it is transparent and moderately clear- it does contain some tiny air bubbles, however, and several small, white cristobalite nodules. There is one tiny area that shows a small amount of a dark discoloration. There is no host rock present, of course.
no photo
tek-30 ($140.00)
Libya (j)
TEKTITES specimen tek-31
$ 25.00
Dims: 0.8 x 0.7 x 0.4" (2.0 x 1.8 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 2.8 g
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
A single, amorphous chunk of tektite makes up this thumbnail specimen. It is of the variety known as Moldavite, and has the obligatory forest-green coloration. There are a few small spots of fresh damage on the piece, where a conchoidal fracture and bright, vitreous luster stand out against the dull waxy luster and uneven, rough and intact surfaces. The intact surfaces tend to show slight to heavy striations, that, while not parallell, are directionally aligned and form a pattern. Though it is rather difficult to determine due to the surface, I am relatively certain that the transparent material is quite clear. Like all such specimens that I have seen, there is no host rock present.
no photo
tek-31 ($ 25.00)
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-32
$ 27.00
Dims: 1.0 x 0.8 x 0.4" (2.5 x 2.8 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 4.0 g
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
This small thumbnail specimen consists of a glassy chunk of Moldavite, a variety of tektite that is usually transparent and has a forest-green coloration. This particular piece appears to be heavily damaged, sporting large, conchoidal surfaces. Most of these surfaces have a somewhat dull, pearly luster, and might possibly have occurred just after the material cooled, but some are quite fresh, showing a bright vitreous luster. Those surfaces that have not been damaged possess an even duller, waxy luster, and are uneven and striated with deep grooves that are directionally aligned but not parallel. The material is transparent, and due to the large number of relatively flat surfaces, one can see that it is quite clear.
no photo
tek-32 ($ 27.00)
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-33
$ 27.00
Dims: 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.4" (2.3 x 1.8 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 4.1 g
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
Another piece of Moldavite makes up this small thumbnail specimen. It is in moderately good condition, as there are a few ares of obvious damage on its surfaces. These areas show a conchoidal fracture and a bright vitreous luster, whereas the intact surfaces have a duller, waxy luster and show concave pitting and slight striations in some areas. The Moldavite has the characteristic forest-green coloration and is transparent and likely quite clear, though this is difficult to determine.
no photo
tek-33 ($ 27.00)
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-34
$ 48.00
Dims: 1.4 x 0.8 x 0.6" (3.6 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 12.7 g
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
This thumbnail specimen consists of an almost teardrop-shaped piece of Moldavite. It is in good condition, showing a few small patches of the conchoidal fracture and bright vitreous luster that denotes damage. Most of it, however, has a dull, waxy luster and shows odd pitting and almost parallel striations. Some of these pits extend rather deeply into the piece. One surface, at the "top" of the teardrop, is quite smooth with respect to the rest of the surface area, though it is also naturally-occurring. Like almost all Moldavite, it has a forest-green color and is transparent and likely very clear. As usual, there is no host rock present.
no photo
tek-34 ($ 48.00)
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-35
$ 45.00
Dims: 1.0 x 0.8 x 0.4" (2.4 x 2.0 x 1.1 cm)
Wt: 5.4 g
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
This thumbnail specimen consists of a single, integral piece of Moldavite, a variety of Tektite that comes from an impact site near the Moldau River in the Czech Republic. This particular piece shows no appreciable form and moderate damage along part of one edge, in the form of a small, conchoidal fracture surface that has a vitreous luster. The rest of its surface has a duller, greasy luster and is intensely patterned with an almost dendritic design. It has a moderate forest-green color and is transparent, though the patterning spoils its visual clarity. There is no host rock present.
no photo
tek-35 ($ 45.00)
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-36
$ 83.00
Dims: 1.4 x 1.0 x 0.4" (3.6 x 2.5 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 9.2 g
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
A single, heavily-striated Moldavite nodule comprises this specimen. It is in excellent condition, showing no damage, and being glass, has no definable crystal form. Its surface has a greasy luster and is striated with complex and sometimes deep grooves that interfere with the view to its transparent interior. It has the standard forest-green color, and like all such specimens, has no base or host rock.
no photo
tek-36 ($ 83.00)
Moldau River valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-37
$ 90.00
Dims: 2.0 x 0.8 x 0.4" (5.1 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 11 g
Chlum, Czech Republic
This Moldavite piece shows only a small amount of damage in the form of conchoidal "dings". It has no crystal form and its surface is heavily patterned with odd indentations and striations. It has the standard forest-green color and greasy luster, and it is transparent and quite clear, though the view is spoiled by the pockmarks.
no photo
tek-37 ($ 90.00)
Chlum, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-38
$ 65.00
Dims: 1.6 x 0.6 x 0.5" (4.1 x 1.6 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 8 g
Chlum, Czech Republic
This small hand specimen consists of a chunk of amorphous Moldavite. The Moldavite shows the classic forest-green color and greasy luster, and though it is transparent and very clear, the view to its interior is marred by intense pitting and striation on its surface.
no photo
tek-38 ($ 65.00)
Chlum, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-39
$ 60.00
Dims: 1.1 x 0.8 x 0.5" (2.8 x 1.9 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 7 g
Chlum, Czech Republic
This Moldavite thumbnail piece shows no crystalline form (of course!) and is in excellent condition, showing no damage. Its surfaces are heavily pitted in an odd, complex pattern and show the standard greasy luster. Its color is forest-green and it is transparent and very clear, though one's view is spoiled by the pitting.
no photo
tek-39 ($ 60.00)
Chlum, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-40
$ 51.00
Dims: 1.4 x 0.6 x 0.3" (3.5 x 1.6 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 6 g
Chlum, Czech Republic
This small Moldavite piece shows almost no damage and has the standard forest-green color and greasy luster. It is transparent and very clear, but one's view to its interior is marred by intense pitting and striating on its surface.
no photo
tek-40 ($ 51.00)
Chlum, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-41
$ 35.00
Dims: 1.1 x 0.7 x 0.3" (2.7 x 1.8 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 4 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This small, flat Moldavite piece is in excellent condition, showing almost no damage. It has the standard pitted, patterned surface and a dull, pearly luster. It is transparent and very clear, showing the standard forest green coloration.
no photo
tek-41 ($ 35.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-42
$ 44.00
Dims: 1.1 x 0.7 x 0.4" (2.7 x 1.8 x 1.1 cm)
Wt: 5 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This undamaged Moldavite nodule is heavily pitted and patterened like most, and contains two small pebbles that were partly enveloped by the glass. The Moldavite is otherwise transparent and very clear and shows the standard pearly luster and forest green color.
no photo
tek-42 ($ 44.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-43
$ 35.00
Dims: 0.8 x 0.6 x 0.5" (2.0 x 1.5 x 1.2 cm)
Wt: 4 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This rather round Moldavite piece is undamaged and shows the standard patterned indentations, forest green color, pearly luster, and excellent transparence of this variety of meteoric glass.
no photo
tek-43 ($ 35.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-44
$ 32.00
Dims: 0.8 x 0.6 x 0.6" (2.1 x 1.6 x 1.6 cm)
Wt: 3 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This Moldavite nodule shows very intense patterning which gives it a very rough surface. A few pebbles or bits of debris are partly enveloped in the glass, which shows the standard forest green color. Its pearly luster and excellent clarity are also standard for this variety of Tektite.
no photo
tek-44 ($ 32.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-45
$ 38.00
Dims: 1.5 x 0.7 x 0.3" (3.8 x 1.8 x 0.7 cm)
Wt: 4 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
A flat Moldavite piece makes up this thumbnail specimen. It shows only one small spot of damage and has the standard forest green color and pearly luster of this variety of Tektite. Though it is transparent and extremely clear, the view to its exterior is spoiled by intense patterning of indentations.
no photo
tek-45 ($ 38.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-46
$ 42.00
Dims: 1.0 x 0.6 x 0.5" (2.6 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 5 g
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This Moldavite piece shows almost no damage and has the standard forest green color, pearly luster and excellent transparence and clarity of its type. The indentation patterning on its surface is rather intense, creating a rather rough surface, and a single pebble is partly enveloped in the glass.
no photo
tek-46 ($ 42.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-47
$ 36.00
Dims:2.3x1.2x1.1" (5.8x3.0x2.8 cm)
Wt: 2.2oz. (63g)
Lie Guong Shi, Yangjiang co., Guangdong prov., China
This specimen consists of an egg-shaped tektite. The color is a dark green, it is almost completely opaque, and it shows no discernable damage. The surface of this tektite is covered with numerous small pits and natural etch marks. Under the magnification of a loupe, these etch marks resemble wood grain.
no photo
tek-47 ($ 36.00)
Lie Guong Shi, Yangjiang co., Guangdong prov., China
TEKTITES specimen tek-48
$ 29.00
Dims:3.0x0.9x0.8" (7.6x2.3x2.0 cm)
Wt: 1.7oz. (49g)
Lie Guong Shi, Yangjiang co., Guangdong prov., China
This specimen is a tektite in the form of a somewhat distorted cylinder. The color is dark green, and it is almost completely opaque. There are a few very small chips on the sides of this sample; with the aid of a loupe, one can see the conchoidal fracture of this glassy material. The surface of this specimen is covered with small natural pits and etching. The etching in places resembles wood grain.
no photo
tek-48 ($ 29.00)
Lie Guong Shi, Yangjiang co., Guangdong prov., China
TEKTITES specimen tek-49
$ 66.00
Dims: 2.87x2.17x1.42" (7.3x5.5x3.6cm)
Wt: 5.73oz. (162.2g)
Moung-Nong, Laos
This relatively large tektite resembles obsidian in appearance. Of course, this is not surprising, as it formed from a glass melted by meteoric impact and splashed into the air, where it solidified before it struck the earth. Its shape is typical for tektites, although there are numerous places where the outer layer of glass has been fractured (vitreous luster and concoidal fracture). The color appears to be an opaque black, but close inspection reveals that it is really a very dark translucent brown, with a tint of red.
no photo
tek-49 ($ 66.00)
Moung-Nong, Laos
TEKTITES specimen tek-50
$ 79.00
Dims: 1.57x0.87x0.39" (4.0x2.2x1.0cm)
Wt: 37.80ct (7.56g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This pretty moldavite specimen is roughly in the shape of a canine tooth, although it is more flat and slightly concave. Its color is a pleasing moldavite green (the one image is too dark, as the camera does not pick up the colors well when the specimen is illuminated from the front). It is nearly transparent, with no inclusions or defects in the surface. Of course, the surface is covered with the usual pits and grooves, which are smaller on the concave side than on the convex side.
no photo
tek-50 ($ 79.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-51
$ 76.00
Dims: 2.01x0.75x0.43" (5.1x1.9x1.1cm)
Wt: 37.40ct (7.48g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This is a long, narrow "tooth" of moldavite. It has a very good green color, and is nearly transparent. It is undamaged, although one section is very thin, giving a whitish appearance from the rear.
no photo
tek-51 ($ 76.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-52
$ 70.00
Dims: 2.05x0.91x0.20" (5.2x2.3x0.5cm)
Wt: 34.0ct (6.80g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This moldavite specimen has a shape I'll call a "smashed teardrop". It is quite flat and roughly oval, although one long edge is relatively broad, while the other side tapers to nearly a knife edge. It is a lovely green, and is nearly transparent - only the slightest degree of translucency is visible. At first glance, I thought it had a couple of minor dark inclusions, but they turned out to be reflections of surface features on the other side. This specimen, while not completely symmetrical, is undamaged.
no photo
tek-52 ($ 70.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-53
$ 63.00
Dims: 1.50x0.75x0.24" (3.8x1.9x0.6cm)
Wt: 30.80ct (6.16g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This moldavite specimen has a nearly perfect surface texture, although it has a groove or two on each side (one being quite deep). It might have had a teardrop shape, except that the deep groove removed some material from one end, distorting the teardrop.
no photo
tek-53 ($ 63.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-54
$ 60.00
Dims: 1.18x0.79x0.35" (3.0x2.0x0.9cm)
Wt: 29.00ct (5.80g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This moldavite specimen is nearly teardrop shaped, and has an excellent deep green color, partly due to its relative thickness. There are two areas (including the point of the teardrop) where damage (in the form of clean conchoidal fracture) reveals the very transparent material within.
no photo
tek-54 ($ 60.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-55
$ 59.00
Dims: 1.42x0.67x0.28" (3.6x1.7x0.7cm)
Wt: 28.6ct (5.72g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This tektite is a Moldavite specimen with a nearly perfect teardrop shape. The base looks flat, as if it broke off, but close examination reveals that this is not true, rather, the surface texture is the same as the rest of the specimen and there is no hint of fracture. The Moldavite's color is a pretty green, it is transparent, and the characteristic surface texture has pits and flow lines reflecting the direction the molten glass took as it cooled in the air.
no photo
tek-55 ($ 59.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-57
$ 54.00
Dims: 3.39x2.28x1.22" (8.6x5.8x3.1cm)
Wt: 4.74oz (134.4g)
Moung-Nong, Laos
This hand tektite specimen looks like obsidian, including the dull luster of the specimen except where the concoidal fracture reveals a vitreous luster. The form is what one might expect from a "glass" splashed through the air, although it is not pretty like a moldavite, nor smooth like some meteorites. A close examination shows that thin sections of the tektite are actually yellow and somewhat transparent, unlike most obisidan.
no photo
tek-57 ($ 54.00)
Moung-Nong, Laos
TEKTITES specimen tek-56
$ 44.00
Dims: 1.12x0.54x0.44" (2.85x1.37x1.12cm)
Wt: 21.7ct (4.34g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
There seems to be a subtle hint of blue in the lovely green color of this moldavite specimen. It is exceptionally transparent, with a surface that is very clean and vitreous. Of course, it does have the rough surface and striations due to its passage through the atmosphere, and it also has a couple of deep groves at the small end which make a natural attachment point for a string, enabling its use as a necklace without damaging the specimen. Although small and somewhat irregularly shaped, this is still a very nice moldavite specimen. It has no damage.
no photo
tek-56 ($ 44.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-58
$ 43.00
Dims: 0.85x0.75x0.50" (2.17x1.90x1.27cm)
Wt: 21.3ct (4.26g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This is a very pretty but unusually shaped Moldavite specimen. It has a cross section that is essentially half of a pipe (like the letter "C"). The outside surface has the usual texture of pits and ridges characteristic of these tektites, plus a deep rounded fissure with a shape rather like the letter "f" but without the inside part of the cross. The base of the specimen (except for its texture) is nearly perfectly flat, which seems to be an extremely unusual formation. And the inside texture is strongly striated, with ridges running the length of the specimen. The specimen is quite transparent and is colored a beautiful shade of green.
no photo
tek-58 ($ 43.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-59
$ 33.00
Dims: 0.88x0.72x0.33" (2.23x1.84x0.85cm)
Wt: 15.9ct (3.18g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This thumbnail size moldavite is in excellent condition, with only three tiny spots of damage (clean, conchoidal fractures) that are difficult to find unless the light hits it just right. Its color is a pale yet pretty green, and the specimen is very transparent. Of course, the typical surface texture of pits and flowing crevices obscures the interior. One end has a notch, rendering the overall shape similar to a crab claw.
no photo
tek-59 ($ 33.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-60
$ 30.00
Dims: 1.09x0.63x0.24" (2.78x1.60x0.62cm)
Wt: 14.30ct (2.86g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This Moldavite specimen has excellent color, clarity, surface texture, and luster. The overall shape is good, and the pattern of pits and grooves is both characteristic and appealing. This specimen is in perfect condition. There are three tiny spots that reflect a white flash, and a high power loupe shows that these are due to the only three internal fractures that I can detect, and they are near enough to the surface that they reflect a white sparkle (only one is large enough to be seen with the unaided eye and normal lighting). The only flaw of this specimen is that it is thin, enough so that its color is more pale than perfect.
no photo
tek-60 ($ 30.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
TEKTITES specimen tek-58
$ 43.00
Dims: 0.85x0.75x0.50" (2.17x1.90x1.27cm)
Wt: 21.3ct (4.3g)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic
This small Moldavite specimen has an exceptionally dark green color. It is a partial cylinder, with a cross section like the letter "C". It has the typical pits and grooves of good Moldavite specimens, plus a deep groove in the front of the specimen looking a bit like a mirror images of the letter "f" - it looks like a symbol from an ancient language.
no photo
tek-58 ($ 43.00)
Moldau River Valley, Czech Republic

 


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