Minerals
TopGeneral Information
Moldavite is a type of tectite. Tectites are pieces of glass that were created during a meteorite impact. The energy of the impact turned sand into glass and it cooled down again while it was flying through the air. Moldavite is a tectite that was created during a meteorite impact in the Czech Replublic.
Due to its light green colour it is sometimes used as fake olivine in jewellery. The chemical composition of tectites depends on the location of the meteorite impact. The average composition of moldavite is: 80% silicon dioxide, 10% aluminum oxide, 3% potassium oxide, 2% iron oxide, 2% magnesium oxide, 1,5% calcium oxide, 0,5% sodium oxide and it also contains many trace elements like rubidium, cesium and barium.[1]
TopChemical & Physical Information
| Trivial Name | Moldavite |
| Chemical Name | Silicate |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2,Al2O3,K2O,FeO, MgO,CaO,Na2O |
| Density | 2,21-2,96 g·cm-3 |
| Molar mass | ? |
| Hardness | 5,5-6,5 |
| Crytal system | Amorph |
| Unit cell | ? |
| Crystal habit | ? |
| Fracture | ? |
| Cleavage | ? |
| Colour | Green |
| Luster | Glass |
| Streak | White |
| Opacity | Subtransparent to translucent. |
| Safety | Safe |
| Extra | Created by meteorite impact. |
Photos
(2 cm)
Sources
[1] Wikipedia
[2] Specimen from my personal collection, photo taken by me.
