How to recognize a real moldavite?
How can you reliably identify a real moldavite?
For those enchanted by the beauty of gemstones, the question of whether even a layperson can recognize genuine moldavite is a pertinent one. As global demand for these semi-precious stones drives their prices ever higher, understanding how to distinguish real moldavite becomes increasingly crucial.
Here's a straightforward guide, based on expert advice, to help you confidently verify that the piece in your hands is genuine moldavite from Southern Bohemia and not a counterfeit intended to deceive and defraud you. It's worth noting that while moldavites are predominantly found in the Czech Republic, rare specimens can also be found in parts of Germany and Austria.
Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying Genuine Moldavite:
1.
The presence of randomly distributed bubbles of various shapes and sizes is something that cannot be replicated by even the most skilled craftspeople. This is a key identification feature of both polished and raw moldavites. For unpolished stones, additional clues are available: the sculpting—irregular and random surface texturing—is utterly spontaneous, without any patterns. Each moldavite is a unique entity.
You can verify these features yourself, and photographs available online can be significantly helpful. However, determining authenticity purely from the color can be more challenging, which leads us to the next point.
2. The typical green color of moldavites stems from their chemical composition. To be certain of its authenticity, it's best to view the stone in person or examine professional photos that accurately capture its true color, which is very sensitive to any modifications.
Various shades of green might confuse and complicate matters, especially considering the plethora of moldavite photos online. If you understand photography, you know that without perfect white balance control, an infinite range of hues is possible, introducing small to significant deviations from the actual color of the moldavite.
Genuine determination of the refractive index without specialized equipment—typically used by forensic experts—is practically impossible. However, if you've personally examined a real moldavite before, you can assert with greater confidence that it is genuine and not a counterfeit.
Photos where moldavite is held in hand or worn can be helpful; since we are all familiar with skin tone from an early age, if there are deviations in it, logically, the color of the moldavite in the same photo will also be inaccurate.
How to Spot a Fake Moldavite:
If you've read this far, you might already have a fair degree of certainty about identifying fakes. Yet, there's a simple fact: counterfeits will never come with a verified certificate that not only includes expert identification and legal expert assessments but also details the specific location where each piece was found. Any moldavite weighing over 3 grams is typically documented with a photograph in its certificate.
