How to spot a fake moldavite 

The popularity of these Czech tektites brings with it a great danger: fakes. The first fake pieces appeared in the Art Nouveau period (19. centrury). At that time, moldavites were considered to be very rare and their distribution was limited. This was due to the fact that not all moldavite localities were known. Nowadays, the production and sale of fakes is dominated by China, which has flooded the market with imitations of moldavites. Unfortunately, people are victims of this kind of fraud every day, which is why it is so important to be able to spot a fake piece.

Colour: The standard South Bohemian moldavite is green in colour, but some specimens may have a yellow/brown tinge when held under the light. If the moldavite has a very rich green vitreous colour, it is certainly an imitation.

Shape: Genuine moldavite usually lacks regularity. You could come across pieces shaped like a regular ball or oval, but they are usually fake. However, there are real moldavites in the shape of small spheres. They are quite rare and do not come up for sale very often. You should always buy moldavites of this shape from a verified people.

Origin: More than 99 % of moldavites that are available for sale are from the Czech Republic. Always make sure the moldavites you buy are from here. Avoid pieces from Asia, where there is a high concentration of fakes. Sellers should also know the exact locality in the Czech Republic of the pieces offered.

Price: Suspiciously low prices. This is where you need to be cautious. Contact verified sellers or check good websites to get an idea of the real price if the offer is too tempting. When buying moldavites, very cheap deals are usually the most dangerous.

It is important to be aware of the fact that fakes are constantly being improved in order to have the most authentic appearance possible. And sometimes, even one which looks genuine can only be imitated to the highest degree. For this reason, you should always buy moldavites from verified sellers, preferably from those who have been working with them for a long time and who have experience with this tektite.