# Moldavite FAQ & Care

> Moldavite FAQ: is it a meteorite, is it radioactive, is it legal to buy and export, how to clean, store and wear it, and why it is so expensive.

- Source: https://moldavitegems.com/faq.html
- Publisher: Moldavite Gems (https://moldavitegems.com/)
- Last updated: 2026-10-20
- Cite as: Moldavite Gems. "Moldavite FAQ & Care." https://moldavitegems.com/faq.html. Updated October 2026.

## Is Moldavite a meteorite?

No. It is a **tektite**: Earth rock melted by an asteroid impact. The asteroid itself mostly vaporized.

## Is it radioactive or dangerous?

No. Moldavite is ordinary natural glass and safe to handle. Treat sharp etched edges with care.

## Is it legal to buy and export?

Yes, buying and exporting legally sourced Moldavite is normal. In the Czech Republic it is a reserved mineral, so unlicensed digging is illegal.

## How do I clean it?

Use lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, acids, salt water and sudden temperature changes.

## How should I store it?

Separately in a soft pouch or padded box. Harder stones like quartz can scratch it, and delicate etched spikes break easily.

## Can I wear it every day?

Yes, but with a hardness of about 5.5–7 it scratches and chips more easily than quartz. Protective settings (bezels) help for rings.

## Why is it so expensive?

A single source region, protected and declining supply, closed premium localities and strong global demand. See [Price](https://moldavitegems.com/price.html).

## What is "angel chime" or "hedgehog" Moldavite?

Trade terms for very spiky, deeply etched pieces, most famously from Besednice. Thin angel-chime pieces can make a faint ringing sound when tapped together.

## Does Moldavite form today?

No. All Moldavite formed in one event about 14.8 million years ago; the supply is finite.

## Glossary

| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tektite | Natural glass from a meteorite impact |
| Strewn field | Area where tektites from one impact landed |
| Lechatelierite | Nearly pure silica glass inclusion formed at extreme temperatures |
| Schlieren | Swirled streaks in glass |
| Vltavín | Czech name for Moldavite |
| Ries | The impact crater in Bavaria that produced Moldavite |