# Moldavite Grading & Quality

> How Moldavite is graded: etching, shape, color, clarity, size and locality, and what separates a $20 per gram stone from a $200 per gram specimen.

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

There is no official grading standard. Dealer labels like "AAA" or "museum grade" mean different things to different sellers, so learn the underlying features.

## Common trade grades

| Grade | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Chips / commercial | Broken or plain pieces, little etching; used for jewelry and wire wrapping |
| Regular | Whole stones with moderate texture and decent color |
| High / AA–AAA | Strong etching, attractive shape, good translucency |
| Museum | Exceptional, intact pieces with deep etching and classic shapes |
| Collector / sculpture | Rare forms, unusual shapes or famous localities; priced individually |

## What drives value

### Etching & texture

Deep, sharp, natural sculpting ("hedgehog", ruffled, feathery) is the single biggest quality factor.

### Shape

Drops, discs, splash forms and "angel chime" shapes carry premiums. Broken edges reduce value.

### Color & translucency

Rich bottle-to-forest green with good light transmission is preferred.

### Locality

Besednice is the top premium; see [Localities](https://moldavitegems.com/localities.html).

### Size

Large intact quality pieces are rare and valuable; large plain pieces are cheap per gram.

### Condition

Fresh fractures, chips and polishing on a raw piece lower value.

## Raw vs cut

Faceted and cabochon Moldavite show color and clarity, but the cutting removes the natural surface. Collectors usually prize raw specimens; jewelry buyers often prefer cut stones. Cut pieces are also easier to fake convincingly.