Moldavite

History of Moldavite

Moldavite is a relatively “new” healing stone whose healing properties have only recently been explored. As such it was not included in any ancient or medieval lapidary, books describing healing stones and their power. Despite this, it has a very fascinating history to explore.

Moldavite is a type of Tekite, a natural glass created by a meteorite strike. Tektites are formed when terrestrial rocks are thrown up into the air after a meteorite strikes the Earth. The force and heat of the meteorite impact is such that it briefly liquidizes everything it touches. The terrestrial material soon returns to a solid shape and becomes a type of natural glass, similar to Obsidian. Despite the fact that meteorites strike the earth fairly regularly, Tekites are only formed during very special, and seldom met, conditions. Moldavite is the only type of Tektite found on the European continent, and is native to the Czech Republic.

Nördlinger Ries

The meteorite believed to be responsible for creating Moldavite slammed into the earth approximately 14.5 million years ago. It would have been approximately 1 mile wide and hit the Earth with the force equivalent to 1.8 billion Atomic bombs! Its impact crater can still be seen today at Nördlinger Ries, a large circular depression in western Germany. The crater is approximately 15 miles in diameter, and today houses a suburb complex for the nearby city of Nördlinger. When the meteorite hit, it liquefied the sand-rich terrestrial crust, and cast it into the air, ejecting it up to 280 miles away throughout Bohemia and the Czech Republic. When it fell, it had reformed into the bottle-green and grey-green Tektites known as Moldavite.

The earliest definitive mention of Moldavite in human history was in a scientific lecture in 1786. The stone was initially called “chrysolites” but 50 years later was renamed Moldavite. The name derived from the town of Moldauthein, in the Czech Republic where the original stones had come from. In 1900, Moldavite was closely studied by F.E. Suess, a geologist attached to the University of Vienna. He noticed that Moldavite’s markings could not have been created by water and closely resembled the characteristics of some types of meteorites. Seuss declared that Moldavite was most like a special type of meteorite, which he named Tekite. Despite this bold claim, most other geologists considered Moldavite a type of Obsidian, or natural glass. In time, the scientific community would determine both theories had some merit. Moldavite is indeed a type of natural glass. But rather than being caused by the usual terrestrial forces, Moldavite was created by the intense heat and pressure of a meteorite strike. Today all natural glasses created by meteorites are called Tektites. While Moldavite is the most famous, there are numerous other kinds including Libyan Desert Glass, Ivorites, Australites, etc.

While the geological community debated the origin and formation of Moldavite, the anthropological field was also taking note of this special green stone. In 1909 the famed Venus of Willendorf was discovered during an archaeological dig in Austria. The statue was found with several Moldavite amulets. Similar amulets as well as Moldavite arrowheads and other tools have also been discovered elsewhere in the region. Whether these jewels and weapons were purely pedestrian, or whether they were valued for their energy and spiritual links, is impossible to know for sure. However, the ritual use of healing stones can definitely be dated close to the dawn of writing, and likely is much much older. It is therefore reasonable to assume that ancient humans may have recognized certain healing properties in Moldavite and chose to use it for pendants and other crafted items as a result.

Supposedly, Moldavite has been a traditional engagement gift for centuries in the Czech Republic. According to the local lore, Moldavite helps bring peace and harmony to relationships and keeps marriages strong. However, most other traditions associated with Moldavite are much more modern.

Chalice of Doña Urraca (also rumored to be the True Grail)

Moldavite has been suggested as the green stone which either decorated the Holy Grail or was itself the sacred relic sought by the Knights of the Round Table. In the 13th century Arthurian romantic poem, Percival, the Holy Grail was described as “an emerald which fell from the sky.” During this time period virtually all green stones were called “emeralds,” just as all red stones were called “rubies.” Only one green stone is known to have “fallen from the sky” and so Moldavite is sometimes called the “Grail Stone.” A rumored copy of the Holy Grail, cast in gold and set with Moldavites supposedly existed for centuries, before being lost in WWII.

Moldavite is the favorite healing stone of modern-day crystal intuitive Robert Simmons, the author of the popular lapidary The Book of Stones. He credits Moldavite with first awakening him to the spiritual properties of stones. Simmons’ writings have catapulted Moldavite into a global phenomenon, making it one of the most popular and highly sought after healing stones in the world. It is estimated that only 275 tons of Moldavite exist, with the vast majority of that already on the open market. While occasionally new pieces of Moldavite are uncovered in the Czech Republic, that is become increasingly rare as time goes on.

Photos: Nördlinger Ries,  Venus of Willendorf, Chalice of Doña Urraca