Everything You Should Know Before Buying Your First Piece Of Moldavite

While referred to as a crystal, moldavite is technically a type of glass. It's green with a typically matte finish, and as Ashley Leavy, founder and educational director of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy, explains to mbg, it's believed to have been formed by a meteorite that hit Earth around 15 million years ago. Since it was formed by a meteorite, she adds, there's a limited supply available today.

According to Yulia Van Doren, author of Crystals: The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing and founder of Goldirocks, moldavite "hands-down" has tons of mystique attached to it. "These small chunks of space glass are renowned for having extremely intense vibes, as well as an uncanny ability to mysteriously disappear and reappear at will," she notes.

As far as the lore around it, Leavy notes there's a theory that moldavite may be the stone that was embedded in the Holy Grail. "There's controversy back and forth on what the Holy Grail actually is, but there are some people who think it was a physical cup with a stone in it—and some think it was moldavite."

With #moldavite videos on TikTok garnering over 450 million views, this crystal is seeing a major surge in interest—though Leavy notes it's been building in popularity over the last decade.

Nevertheless, TikTok users are now sharing some crazy tales that suggest moldavite is a cursed crystal. Shortly after receiving one, some people are reporting totaled cars, breakups, deaths in the family, and so much more. However, others are claiming it's brought positives—new friends, new jobs, spiritual growth, etc.—into their lives.

Both Leavy and Van Doren agree that you don't need to be afraid of moldavite, or any crystal for that matter. So no, it's not cursed!

As Van Doren explains, "A crystal is an energetic tool which works together with your own energy and intentions, so believing that a crystal is 'cursed' and therefore will 'curse you' is giving the crystal far too much power (and giving yourself far too little power)."

Leavy echoes this, adding, "Anytime we turn our power over to something else, it can be quite dangerous." That said, if you do want to give moldavite a try, Van Doren notes it does have a way of working quickly and accelerating necessary changes in your life.

Just FYI, moldavite is on the pricier side compared to other crystals on the market today, and that's because it's both rare and popular, according to Van Doren. And thanks to this rarity, fakes are all too common. Fake moldavite is simply green glass that has been shaped to mimic moldavite's distinctive texture, she explains.

Leavy notes it's always a good idea to do your research before buying a crystal, both on how to spot fakes, as well as where you're purchasing it from. "If a moldavite piece is very glassy or shiny looking, where it almost looks kind of wet on the surface, then it's likely a fake," she adds.

The best way to ensure moldavite is real is to purchase from a seller you trust, Van Doren notes, and it's worth it to get the real stuff—even if it's more expensive.

And as far as sustainability goes, Leavy says many of the concerns with other crystals regarding sustainability don't apply here because finding moldavite doesn't involve strip mining, and it is mostly extracted near the Earth's surface.

If you're just starting off using this crystal, Van Doren suggests taking it slow. "Because of its intense vibration, this is a crystal to work with very intentionally to avoid energetic ''overdosing," she says, adding that she recommends beginning with short sessions.

"Hold your moldavite in your hands, or place on your body where you feel guided, and let it work its fast-acting magic on your energy system." She recommends placing it on your heart chakra if you're not sure where to start.

Moldavite doesn't require special care beyond what you'd expect for any other crystal, aside from the fact that as glass, it is quite fragile. "Moldavite can chip and break. Store it carefully, and don't drop it," Van Doren says.

Along with storing it properly (ideally in a soft bag that will protect any edges), you can cleanse and charge your moldavite too. "Use a non-culturally appropriated method of cleansing," Leavy suggests, such as a sound bath or sun or moonlight.