Moldavite is a green tektite. A tektite is an impact glass, created due to the impact of a meteorite with the earth's crust. It is believed that the meteorite that created the Ries Kessel (a massive 15 mile diameter crater), 120 miles away in Germany "splashed," hot material into the atmosphere that cooled as it fell back to Earth. This impact material, landed across a relatively small (10 to 15 square mile) area in the current Czech Republic. This impact event is dated around 15 million years ago. Moldavite miners must dig holes to access this old layer in which the Moldavite is found. Moldavite is typically quite small, with the largest pieces generally available, weighing between 30 to 50 grams (up to 6-7 cm long). Moldavite is valued for its size (larger pieces are much rarer), condition (lack of damage), an attractive green color, and how textured, or "spikey," the surface is. This piece weighs 8.1 grams. It is in pristine condition, and shows a fine color, and a good textured surface. The pic "moldavite 2d," is backlit using a light box (to better show its internal color. The others were shot on white paper.

GOLD18 - Gold
$ 1400.00 SOLD
San Antonio de Morichal, Venezuela
thumbnail - 2.6 x 1.2 x .6 cm

Venezuela has been producing sharp, bright gold crystals over the last few years. They are mined in a very dangerous part of the world, where diamonds are also found near Santa Elena in the western, jungle area of Venezuela.

This beautifully crystallized gold, is a natural gold alloy called Porposite, given that it contains about 3.5% Palladium. It is very unique, and resembles kelp off the California coast. It weighs 4.6 grams. I have been told it will be pictured in the upcoming gold calender. 

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