Natural Moldavite | 2.14g | Nesmen Les

This 2.14g natural Moldavite from Nesmen Les is an unusually expressive specimen, defined by a striking contrast between pale translucent glass and darker, heavily sculpted sections. Its irregular outline and layered appearance make it especially interesting when viewed against light.

The specimen spreads outward in a broad, wing-like form, with thin scalloped edges surrounding several thicker, darker formations. Across the surface are rippled textures, shallow depressions and rugged folds, while the perimeter carries a delicate series of natural points and serrated-looking contours.

What makes this piece particularly appealing is its remarkable variation in transparency. Large portions of the stone are thin enough to transmit considerable light, revealing pale olive, yellow-green and almost smoky green shades. In contrast, the thicker sculpted areas appear deep forest green.

This dramatic colour change is primarily an effect of optical path length. Where the Moldavite is thin, light has less glass to travel through and more of it reaches the eye, producing the luminous appearance. Where the glass thickens or overlaps visually, more light is absorbed and scattered, creating the much darker green sections. The textured surface adds another layer to the effect, bending and reflecting light differently across every ridge and depression.

A small round internal feature is also visible within one of the clearer areas, adding another point of interest when examining the specimen closely.

Nesmen Les — les meaning “forest” in Czech — is a prized South Bohemian Moldavite locality. Although its deposits are not completely depleted, recovery is difficult, and the locality is particularly admired for producing specimens with complex natural etching and distinctive sculptural surfaces.

At 2.14 grams, this piece is less about symmetry and more about contrast: delicate translucent wings, dark sculpted formations and an intricate natural outline all contained within a single specimen.

What is Moldavite & where is it from?

Moldavite is a rare tektite or meteoric glass, caused by an asteroid impact 15 million years ago. The intense, 10,000°C+ temperatures of the strike vapourised the asteroid, target rock and sand, flinging the molten substance high into the atmosphere.

From the impact zone in Germany some 300km away, it landed back to earth in what is now the Czech Republic and as it flew, it cooled and solidified into translucent green, glass-like droplets of various shapes and sizes.

It is said that only 1% of what had originally fallen is still intact to this day and the estimates of the total amount of Moldavite remaining is under 300 tonnes. In comparison with gold or diamonds, this makes Moldavite 1000x rarer.

99% of all Moldavite is found in a small area in the southern part of the Czech Republic. It can be found on the surface but the highly prized, well-preserved specimens are found up to 6 metres underground.

Moldavite NZ

Moldavite NZ is a small family business and collectors hub based in New Zealand. We are the only exclusive Moldavite dealer in the Southern Hemisphere. We source all of our Moldavite directly through our family and trusted contacts in the Czech Republic. All of our Moldavite and jewellery is guaranteed for authenticity by a 100% money-back guarantee.