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UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes
Natural inorganic gem materials · Natural glass · Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Tektite / Moldavite
Also known asMoldavite (not a recommended name)
Natural glass formed by meteorite impacts, with the GB/T 16552-2017 Table A.2 basic name "Tektite"; Moldavite is only one regional variety of it. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Tektite / Moldavite forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify Tektite / MoldaviteHow far lab testing can go
- Hardness, density and refractive index of Tektite / MoldaviteEach value with its source and check date
- Tektite / Moldavite in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
- Listing and disclosing Tektite / MoldaviteThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define Tektite / MoldaviteWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Tektite is a natural glass, not a mineral species; the Czech green variety moldavite is regarded as a variety of tektite. NOTE: the authoritative source used here (the CIBJO gemstone nomenclature table) lists Tektite and Moldavite only as material/variety names and notes that they are "no treatment (always)"; it provides no account of their formation. This entry therefore states no natural formation mechanism for tektite, flags the formation-source gap, and does not pass off facts about related materials such as volcanic glass (obsidian) as tektite's origin.
Scope: Applies to the identity and naming boundaries of tektite and moldavite as materials/varieties, and to the statement of "no treatment"; this record makes no assertion about their natural formation mechanism (source gap).
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Where it forms
NOTE: the authoritative source used here gives no occurrence or formation setting for tektite; no claim is made.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
How it forms, step by step
The cited authoritative source (CIBJO nomenclature table) lists Tektite as a material name.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
The table lists Moldavite as a variety of Tektite ("See Tektite").
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
The table notes that Tektite and Moldavite are both "No treatment (Always)".
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
NOTE: the source contains no formation account, so no ore-forming steps are listed.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Link to appearance
NOTE: the source used here does not describe tektite's colour or appearance in relation to formation, so no appearance claim is made.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Timescale
The source gives no absolute age or duration for tektite formation.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Related base materials
- Natural glass: Higher-level classification term; tektite is a natural glass material, and moldavite is a variety one level below it
Recorded localities
Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.
Africa
- Côte d'IvoireIvory Coast strewnfield (ivorite)
Sources Mindat: Tektite
Asia
- Southern ChinaAustralasian strewnfield
Sources Mindat: Tektite
- IndochinaAustralasian strewnfield
Sources Mindat: Tektite
- PhilippinesAustralasian strewnfield
Sources Mindat: Tektite
- MalaysiaAustralasian strewnfield
Sources Mindat: Tektite
- IndonesiaAustralasian strewnfield
Sources Mindat: Tektite
- Belitung (Billiton) Island, Indonesiaprinted as Billiton
Sources Mindat: Tektite
- Zhamanshin crater, Kazakhstanirghizite
Sources Mindat: Tektite
Europe
- Týn nad Vltavou, South Bohemian Region, CzechiaMindat First Recorded Locality (moldavite)
Sources Mindat: Tektite
North America
- Texas, United StatesNorth American strewnfield (bediasite)
Sources Mindat: Tektite
- Georgia, United StatesNorth American strewnfield (georgiaite)
Sources Mindat: Tektite
Oceania
- AustraliaAustralasian strewnfield
Sources Mindat: Tektite
These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.
Other research findings
The CIBJO nomenclature table lists Tektite as a material name and Moldavite as a variety of Tektite ("Moldavite — See Tektite").
Evidence grade AScope: Boundary of naming/hierarchy only; not genesis.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
The CIBJO nomenclature table notes that both Tektite and Moldavite are "No treatment (Always)".
Evidence grade AScope: States they are conventionally untreated; not a per-item guarantee.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
In CIBJO's classification, natural glasses (e.g. obsidian) are listed as one category of gem materials; tektite belongs to the natural-glass class rather than being a mineral species.
Evidence grade BScope: Defines the material class; the source exemplifies it with obsidian and does not detail tektite's formation.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Limits of this research
- Research status: No authoritative source specific to this material was found; findings come from the parent material or are marked as gaps
- The authoritative source consulted (the CIBJO gemstone nomenclature table) gives only the name of tektite and the note that it is not treated; it says nothing about how tektite forms, and no authority dealing specifically with tektite was found.
- This record does not pass off the formation of volcanic glass (obsidian) or any other related material as tektite's origin.
- Tektite's impact origin and locality discrimination require other authoritative sources (e.g. journal or geological-survey sources), which have not yet been found.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Natural glass of impact origin (state Tektite or Moldavite)
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Moldavite” · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.237 “Tektite”
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Related:Disclosure and cautions
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
"Tektite / Moldavite" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Industry-wide term that does not denote a single species.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.2, row 玻璃陨石 (Tektite / Moldavite)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Natural glass of impact origin (state Tektite or Moldavite)" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
- See “Disclosure and cautions” above
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Industry-wide term that does not denote a single species.
- Suggested listing name
- Natural glass of impact origin (state Tektite or Moldavite)
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Besides Tektite / Moldavite, the name register records "Moldavite", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded; one further name in a non-Latin script is listed in the name register below (1 with no restriction recorded on use as a name).
Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name for Tektite / Moldavite is based on GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2. The suggested listing name is the Chinese formal name, stating Tektite/Moldavite. Sub-names and unacceptable namesThe mineralogical name refers to natural impact glass, with Moldavite a regional variety; Moldavite is also a trade name or synonym referring to a lower-level variety, meaning only tektite from the Czech region, registered as a subordinate name (variety or subtype) and not matched to Tektite / Moldavite, based on this site's ruling without a supporting clause. Names in four languagesA Simplified Chinese synonym meaning “meteorite glass” is only a candidate search term, registered on a basis that involves the GB/T 16552 revision consultation draft, which is not in force. The four-language names are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Tektite / Moldavite) and Japanese (transliterations of tektite and moldavite); these Japanese names are the entry's own, and whether the Japanese GSJ uses them is not yet verified by this site. Institution usageAmong authority wordings, the wordings of GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A have not yet been checked by this site, and the English name shown, Tektite / Moldavite, comes from the entry itself and does not represent the position of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A.
Name register
Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Name | Type | Matching | Use as a name | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no restriction recorded (2) | ||||
| MoldaviteEnglish | narrower name (variety or subtype) | never matched to this entry | no restriction recorded | editorial ruling (no clause cited); Note: The entry's English name already includes Moldavite and carries the match, so this row does not repeat it. The narrower sense of material from the Czech region is a limit by origin, which name matching does not cover. |
| 陨石玻璃Simplified Chinese | synonym | search candidate only | no restriction recorded | GB/T 16552 revision draft for comment (2023, not in force) Table A.2; GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Moldavite”; Note: Draft standard for comment, not in force. |
How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- テクタイト／モルダバイト (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 玻璃陨石 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2)
- Mineralogical name
- Natural impact glass (tektite); moldavite is a regional variety
- Trade names and synonyms
- Moldavite (narrower name (variety or subtype); not a recommended name)
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 玻璃陨石
- 繁體中文
- 玻璃隕石
- English
- Tektite / Moldavite
- 日本語
- テクタイト／モルダバイト
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Natural materials
- Material domain
- Natural inorganic gem materials
- Browsing family
- Natural glass
- Identity tier
- Natural glass
- Mineral chemical class
- Not applicable
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural identity; treatment status unknown
What it is and how it's identified
Among the material facts for Tektite / Moldavite, those registered for natural glass (the whole class) rather than measured on tektite itself include: amorphous structure, Mohs hardness 5–6, no cleavage, isotropic optic character with common anomalous extinction, no birefringence, and, untreated, vitreous lustre. Density is 2.32–2.4 g/cm³, worked out from the cited GB/T 16553—2017 clause value of 2.36 and tolerance of ±0.04. The refractive index registered for natural glass (the whole class) is 1.48–1.51, worked out from the cited clause value of 1.490 and tolerance of +0.020, −0.010. Untreated, the body colour is medium to dark yellow or greyish green, and the colours listed by GB/T 16553—2017 and CIBJO broadly agree; the colour descriptions of other varieties and entries in GB/T Chapter 5 and CIBJO Chapter 7 also mention yellow or yellowish colours.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Chemical composition, luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for natural glass (whole class), so they are not repeated on the Tektite / Moldavite page; see the material facts on the Natural Glass (material) entry.
Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of Tektite / Moldavite (how to read class-level values).
Structure
Tektite / Moldavite — structure (overall): amorphous (not crystalline)
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Durability
Tektite / Moldavite — Mohs hardness: 5–6
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Tektite / Moldavite — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Physical properties
Tektite / Moldavite — density: 2.32–2.4 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 2.36, with a stated tolerance of ±0.04. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 Density · Tektite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Optical
Tektite / Moldavite — optic character: isotropic, usually with anomalous extinction
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Tektite / Moldavite — refractive index: 1.48–1.51
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 1.490, with a stated tolerance of +0.020 / -0.010. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Tektite / Moldavite — birefringence: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Tektite / Moldavite — transparency: transparent to translucent.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Tektite / Moldavite — pleochroism: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Tektite / Moldavite — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen; rare
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
body colour2 sources compared
Tektite / Moldavite — body colour: medium to dark yellow; greyish green
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
In chapter 5 of GB/T 16553—2017, the colour entries of Chrysoberyl, Chlorite, Cat’s-eye and other variety clauses also name yellow or a yellowish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 Colour · Tektite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Tektite / Moldavite — body colour: Medium to dark, yellowish to greyish green.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Qualification
In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Saussurite, Chrysoprase, Demantoid and other entries also name yellow or a yellowish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
How the sources relate
- GB/T 16553—2017 and CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
The two entries list essentially the same colours: medium to dark yellow (the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book says yellowish) to greyish green.
- CIBJO definitions
- chatoyancy
Quality factors
Tektite / Moldavite — quality factor (lustre): vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- natural glass (whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.29 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.495 / 2.36; Closest values: 1Haüyne 1.5 / 2.46, 2Hackmanite 1.483 / 2.27, 3Chrysocolla 1.516 / 2.2, 4Apophyllite 1.536 / 2.4, 5Serpentine 1.532 / 2.62
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Testing and market
Which tests the CIBJO laboratory protocol requires for Tektite / Moldavite, and what each method means, are set out in the protocol table on the laboratory testing page. For moldavite, the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 requires man-made glass to be checked in particular.
The tests the CIBJO laboratory protocol requires for this material, and what each method means, are in the protocol table on the laboratory testing page: §6.1.53, §6.1.83.
How far testing can go
Tektite / Moldavite — what the CIBJO laboratory protocol says to watch for: artificial glass
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
- Applies only to
- moldavite
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Clause-level definitions
Tektite / Moldavite has clause-level definitions registered in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 under two terms, Moldavite and Tektite. The visible definition of Moldavite is a natural glass, transparent to translucent, whose green ranges from yellowish to greyish in a medium to dark tone; the cross-check result is that it is defined directly by CIBJO and also appears in the GB/T annex. The visible definition of Tektite is a natural glass formed from terrestrial debris; the cross-check result is that it is defined directly by CIBJO, and no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moldavite | 7.2.1.148 | Medium to dark, yellowish to greyish green, transparent to translucent natural glass; considered to be a variety of tektite (splash product created by meteor impacts) | Defined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex. |
| Tektite | 7.2.1.237 | A tektite is natural glass formed from terrestrial debris, created by and ejected during meteorite impacts (splash product of meteorite impact). green to black, transparent to translucent | Defined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- RRUFF Project, in partnership with the IMA – International Mineralogical Association. IMA Mineral List.
- Geological Survey of Japan, AIST (Japan). Museum mineral specimens, browse by classification.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
Related-entry tree for Natural Glass (material) on this site: 7 entries listed by this site's parent-entry links; synthetic, treated and similar entries carry their recorded state after the name; this page (Tektite / Moldavite) is marked.
- Natural Glass (material)
Sub-entries (6)
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Natural glass | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Tektite / Moldavite entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.