# - 4881 Moldavite (3 piece set)
Unlike most gemstones, which are formed slowly in quiet underground environments; moldavite was formed by a sudden and intense burst of heat and force. Around 15 million years ago an asteroid hurtling towards earth split in two. These two pieces crashed violently to earth in central Europe; creating the Ries and Steinheim craters. The heat and energy of the impacts instantly vapourised the rock at the impact sites. Just as instantly, the vapour condensed into a molten liquid, which rapidly cooled into a glass before it fell back to the earth. Because it was formed by an asteroid collision, moldavite is classed as a tektite. While other tektites have been found that are black, brown, yellow, and clear, moldavite is prized for its green colour. Moldavite can only be found in the area surrounding the impact craters, the main deposit is in the Czech Republic. Due to high demand for this unique gemstone, the mines have been depleted, so this already rare tektite continues to grow more and more scarce.
Unlike most gemstones, which are formed slowly in quiet underground environments; moldavite was formed by a sudden and intense burst of heat and force. Around 15 million years ago an asteroid hurtling towards earth split in two. These two pieces crashed violently to earth in central Europe; creating the Ries and Steinheim craters. The heat and energy of the impacts instantly vapourised the rock at the impact sites. Just as instantly, the vapour condensed into a molten liquid, which rapidly cooled into a glass before it fell back to the earth. Because it was formed by an asteroid collision, moldavite is classed as a tektite. While other tektites have been found that are black, brown, yellow, and clear, moldavite is prized for its green colour. Moldavite can only be found in the area surrounding the impact craters, the main deposit is in the Czech Republic. Due to high demand for this unique gemstone, the mines have been depleted, so this already rare tektite continues to grow more and more scarce.
Unlike most gemstones, which are formed slowly in quiet underground environments; moldavite was formed by a sudden and intense burst of heat and force. Around 15 million years ago an asteroid hurtling towards earth split in two. These two pieces crashed violently to earth in central Europe; creating the Ries and Steinheim craters. The heat and energy of the impacts instantly vapourised the rock at the impact sites. Just as instantly, the vapour condensed into a molten liquid, which rapidly cooled into a glass before it fell back to the earth. Because it was formed by an asteroid collision, moldavite is classed as a tektite. While other tektites have been found that are black, brown, yellow, and clear, moldavite is prized for its green colour. Moldavite can only be found in the area surrounding the impact craters, the main deposit is in the Czech Republic. Due to high demand for this unique gemstone, the mines have been depleted, so this already rare tektite continues to grow more and more scarce.