Moldavite vs Other Green Stones: How to Tell Them Apart
The short answer: Moldavite is a natural impact glass with a soft olive to forest green colour, a deeply sculpted surface and worm-like lechatelierite inclusions. Peridot is a crystal with a brighter yellow-green colour. "Green obsidian" sold in crystal shops is usually man-made glass. Bottle glass fakes are often too bright, too even and too smooth.
Moldavite
- What it is: natural glass formed by a meteorite impact
- Colour: soft olive, moss or forest green, gently varied
- Surface: deeply sculpted when raw, with ridges, pits and feathery etching
- Inside: stretched bubbles and curling lechatelierite threads under a loupe
Peridot
Peridot is a crystal, not a glass. Its colour tends to be a brighter, more yellow-toned lime or olive green. It is usually sold tumbled, faceted or as small rough crystals, without moldavite's sculpted surface. In crystal traditions, peridot is associated with abundance, warmth and renewal.
Green obsidian
Natural obsidian is a volcanic glass, usually black or dark brown. Most bright green "obsidian" sold today is man-made glass. It's often a vivid, even colour and very clear, and it's one of the materials most commonly passed off as moldavite.
Bottle glass and moulded fakes
Many fake moldavites are simply coloured glass, cast or moulded to look raw. Signs include:
- A bright, even "soft drink bottle" green
- A glossy sheen and shallow, repeating patterns
- Perfectly round bubbles with no flow lines
- Many pieces that look identical
Green tourmaline and emerald
Green tourmaline and emerald are crystals that form long, often striated or six-sided shapes. They are harder than moldavite and never show its sculpted, etched surface. They're rarely confused with raw moldavite, but faceted pieces can look similar at a glance.
Quick comparison
| Stone | Type | Typical green |
|---|---|---|
| Moldavite | Natural impact glass | Soft olive to forest |
| Peridot | Crystal | Bright yellow-green |
| "Green obsidian" | Usually man-made glass | Vivid, even |
| Bottle glass fake | Man-made glass | Bright emerald or bottle green |
The simplest test: ask where it came from
Looks can be copied. A seller's knowledge of where their moldavite comes from is much harder to fake. For a full checklist, read our guide on how to tell if moldavite is real.
Choose the real thing. Explore our moldavite collection, sourced from a trusted Czech collector we've worked with for over 20 years. Every piece comes with a certificate of authenticity.
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