Moldavite
| Moldavite | |
|---|---|
Moldavite from Dobrkovská Lhotka | |
| General | |
| Category | Glass |
| Formula | SiO2(+Al2O3) |
| Crystal system | Amorphous |
| Identification | |
| Color | Olive green |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5.5 to 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque, translucent, transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.32 to 2.38 |
| Optical properties | Isotropic |
| Refractive index | 1.48 to 1.54 |
| Birefringence | None |
| Pleochroism | Absent |
| Dispersion | None |
| References | |
Moldavite (Czech: vltavín) is a forest green, olive green or blue greenish vitreous silica projectile glass formed by a meteorite impact in southern Germany (Nördlinger Ries Crater) that occurred about 15 million years ago. It is a type of tektite and a gemstone. Material ejected from the impact crater includes moldavite, which was strewn across parts of Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.