Vltavin - objective information
Not much is known reliably about the mineral called vltavin
- it is a semi-precious variety of volcanic glass;
- it is painted in warm shades of green;
- Vltavin is found only in the south of the Czech Republic in the form of small pebbles with a surface cracked from time to time.
Everything else is from the realm of rumors and legends, which we will be happy to share with you.
The Czech Vltavin is a fragment of an ancient meteorite.
Where did the mineral come from?
The history of moldavite is connected with Space. There are three versions:
- The meteorite crashed into the Earth at a speed of 23 kilometers per second and exploded. The released energy melted the rock. Hundreds of thousands of pieces of glass scattered over tens of kilometers around.
- A comet flying near the Earth did not reach its surface. Having exploded, it crumbled into fragments. Those that did not burn in the dense layers of the atmosphere fell out as green-emerald moldavites.
- Our planet was visited by representatives of an alien civilization. At the site where the ship landed, the earth's rock melted.
Vltavin (or moldavite) is a stone of meteorite origin.
Radiocarbon dating of the fragments showed that this happened 15 million years ago. Archaeologists are unearthing Paleolithic items made from moldavite in the Czech Republic - these are household items and jewelry.
Origin of the stone
There are two legends about the origin of Vltavin : one is prehistoric, the other is science fiction.
So, the first legend. The stones are the remains of a meteorite that scattered into small fragments, which in time immemorial fell to Earth in the area of modern Stuttgart (Germany, as you understand). The blast wave carried the fragments, mixed with the ground, throughout the surrounding area - where the southern Czech Republic is now. Many millions of years later, the Germans named the mineral after the Moldau River - moldavite. Nothing in common with Moldova.
At the end of the 19th century, the Czechs, who were the majority here, were indignant and renamed the stone in honor of the same river, but in the Czech version: Vltava, hence Vltavin.
The main Czech river is the Vltava. The stone was named after her.
Second legend. A detachment of aliens, starting on their ships from our home planet, influenced the volcanic glass in such a way that it melted and acquired new properties. No comments needed.
Is there any real basis for these stories? Scientists recognize that vltavin is a typical tektite - glass of meteorite origin. There are many such finds around the world, but the Czech ones stand out among them with their green color and clearly defined age of about 15 million years. Air bubbles inside the stone could only form under conditions corresponding to an altitude of 25 km above the earth's surface. So it seems that the first legend is quite realistic.
How does the origin of a stone affect its sales?
Traders insist supplies are limited and will soon run out. New meteorites will be completely different. Skeptics, however, say that about 1% of the Vltavin reserves have been collected, it is used only for souvenirs and jewelry, so a catastrophic shortage is not expected in the near future.
But the main thing is to create a stir in time, right?
A little science
The moldavite stone was first described in 1786. Josef Mayer (a professor at the University of Prague) mistakenly classified it as a peridot of volcanic origin.
Currently, scientists unanimously believe that vltavine (moldavite) in its structure is a typical representative of tektites of the impactite group. Tektite (in Greek “tektos” - molten) is melted meteorite silicate glass. Tektites are found in different places on our planet, they are brown or black in color. Only Czech moldavites (vltavins) come in all shades of green and have a strictly defined period of occurrence.
Main characteristics:
- Moldavite stone is fifteen million years old
- hardness 5.5–6.5 on the Mosch scale
- density is 2.3
- melting point approximately 1300 degrees
- consists of eighty percent silica (silicon dioxide) and ten percent aluminum
- inside moldavite there are bubbles of rare gases formed at an altitude of twenty-five kilometers above the Earth’s surface
According to scientific estimates, the total weight of fallen vltavins (moldavites) in the Czech Republic is three thousand tons. Large deposits of gems are located near the Czech cities of Trebic, Vrabce, Besednice, Chlum, Slavce, Radomilice. Pebbles are usually found no more than three centimeters and weighing 6–7 grams. The heaviest vltavin was found near Slavica. Its weight is 265.5 grams.
Magical properties of vltavins
For a long time, people believed that a stone sent by the Cosmos was endowed with unearthly energy and magical powers. Archaeologists have found amulets and jewelry made from vltavin that served ancient people back in the Paleolithic era.
There are beliefs that many green stones accumulate vitality. It is not for nothing that they are readily used in practices by healers and psychics. Vltavin is not just a sparkling green gem , it is shrouded in legends and secrets of its birth, so it is ideal for occult meditation sessions.
- Fortune tellers, psychics, and magicians believe that a wonderful stone protects them from the effects of negative energy and evil spells during various rituals to foresee future events and change the present.
- With the help of Vltavin, mystics and esotericists The gem helps to open the “third eye” and cleanse the chakras.
- Astrologers believe that moldavite should and can be worn by everyone, but using it in magical sessions is not recommended for those born under the signs of Pisces and Scorpio.
Incredibly, experts actually recommend wearing Vltavin all the time. It improves vision, relieves headaches , uncertainty, and fears. The stone helps to recover faster from stress and nervous breakdowns, promotes good sleep, and maintains a balance of vitality. It is used to normalize blood pressure. It is believed that this wonderful gem rejuvenates the entire human body. The stone promotes concentration. The owner of the vltavin becomes wise and patient in resolving important issues.
According to legend, vltavin is a talisman stone for girls named Maria. He helps in solving problems, suggests a way out of difficult circumstances, and gives strength and confidence to Maria.
Methods of using stone in treatment
In alternative medicine there is a direction - stone treatment or lithotherapy.
Methods of using moldavit (vltavin) in treatment:
- Eye contact . Moldavite is usually green in color. This color of stones relaxes the eye muscles, stabilizes the heart rate, improves memory and attention, and calms the nervous system.
- Tactile contact or touch . For neuralgia, headache or muscle pain, to relieve tension during stress, insomnia, it is useful to apply a stone to a sore spot or simply hold it in your palms.
- Water charged with stone energy . Keep the vltavin in water for several hours. The liquid will be energetically charged. It helps cleanse the body and restore strength.
Magical properties of the stone
It is rare and green - two good reasons for psychics and fortune tellers to love the stone. Green color is natural, natural, an accumulator of vitality. In general, a thing ideal for meditation . In the East, green minerals are highly valued in this regard, take jade for example. The Czech stone Vltavin as a stimulator of the opening of the third eye is the European answer to Asia. And a beautiful legend creates an additional mystical aura around him.
Beautiful pendant. But you can’t swim in this, otherwise the mermaids will drag you away.
Since ancient times, as evidenced by archaeological finds, jewelry with vltavin was used as amulets. Later they became a mandatory pre-wedding gift for the bride. Now the custom has quietly faded away, but grooms inspired by the tradition can look for a suitable souvenir.
Vltavin is traditionally worn to relieve headaches and maintain alertness. Self-hypnosis is a great healer, of course, but it really helps many.
Jewelry assortment
The only area of application of the stone is jewelry.
Almost always, craftsmen (especially Czech ones) leave moldavites intact or lightly polish them. This is reasonable, because all the salt is in the “imperfections” of the surface. And the decoration is guaranteed to be unique.
Jewelry with stone
But vltavins are good in any form:
- Unprocessed specimens of fancy shapes or faceted ones are framed in silver. This setting makes the warm color of moldavite even more attractive. Sometimes gold is used.
- Small stones are used for keychains, pendants, pendants, earrings, and rings. Larger specimens are saved for beads, necklaces, and bracelets.
- “Wrinkled” spherical moldavites are valued above others.
Vltavins (moldavites) are complemented in jewelry with local materials: garnets or Bohemian glass.
Vltavin jewelry
If we ignore all the plausible or dubious stories, then this semi-precious stone of a warm green color with a soft shine is an excellent material for jewelry. It resembles bottle glass, but not for a banal beer container, but a higher class - with shimmer, color transitions, tubercles and air bubbles inside. If combined with a distinctly traditional silver frame, the effect is guaranteed.
Pendant made of raw vltavin with a pearl.
The Czechs are generally known for their ability to work with semi-precious stones - their amber and garnet jewelry is known all over the world, so they do a good job with the space guest.
A whole moldavite family.
Vltavin is found in the form of small fragments, so jewelers often use them whole, unprocessed, for rings and pendants. In combination with an irregularly shaped metal frame, the product looks stylish, modern, and can be worn without age restrictions. Suitable for those who want to dilute the casual style with a light bohemian touch. By the way, men can also look for a ring or keychain with Vltavin - no one will blame them for being too feminine.
Pomegranate Museum in Prague
The Pomegranate Museum ( Magic Garnet - Muzeum českého granátu v Praze ) is a unique place. Here you can find items with history and examples of modern jewelry art. By visiting the museum, you will learn everything about the mechanism of cutting and mining of garnet in Bohemia, and get acquainted with all the varieties of garnet.
A separate part of the museum exhibition is dedicated to the mystical properties of pomegranate. You can take part in searching for pomegranates in a specially prepared sand mixture.
In the museum you can buy modern jewelry or replicas of historical jewelry, as well as a piece of natural pyrope, which has greater mystical power than processed garnet.
A museum visitor receives a garnet stone as a gift!
Contact Information:
The museum is located at: Panská 895/6, Praha 1
Open Monday to Friday: 10.00-19.00 and Saturday-Sunday: 11.00-18.00
Cost of visit - 80 CZK
Where to buy Vltavin?
Where there is demand, dishonest sellers always appear, ready to offer the buyer a fake under the guise of a quality product. How to avoid this?
First of all, buy Vlatvin only in the Czech Republic. Abroad, firstly, it is much more expensive, and secondly, there are no guarantees of authenticity. Jewelry and souvenir shops are concentrated, of course, in Prague.
It is better to give preference to stores, and if in doubt, ask for a certificate.
Here are some Prague addresses where you can buy original jewelry:
- Celetná 15 and Dlouha 28 are closer to Stare Mesto;
- Panská 6 is a store in the building of the Russian tourist center, they speak Russian here. Until September 15, the information center is holding a promotion, and readers of our website have the opportunity to get a discount when purchasing jewelry made from Vltavin →
The cost of jewelry with this stone starts from 5 euros; a stylish set will cost about a hundred. Not too expensive, by the way.
What if you have already bought Vltavin and doubt its originality? Dont be upset. Firstly, if you bought jewelry in Prague, then the least of the evils you should be afraid of is to buy olivine instead of moldavite. The third eye will not open in this case, but its legend is also cosmic - it is the main mineral of the lunar crust.
Secondly, if you were tricked so much that they slipped you Czech glass (and this is also a common case), don’t be upset - the price is quite comparable to a fragment of a meteorite. Next time, definitely buy a real stone.
You need to buy Vltavin in Prague! Well, where else?
Finally, thirdly, the chances that you will be deceived in the Czech Republic are not so many, let’s say less than 50%
