Moldavite and diamonds are two of the most coveted gemstones in the world, but which one is actually rarer?
The rarity of moldavite comes from its limited geographic source. All the world's moldavite is thought to have formed from a single meteorite impact event that occurred about 15 million years ago. Scientists believe a meteorite struck the Earth in an area that is now the border region between Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The extreme heat and pressure from the impact melted the meteorite and terrestrial rock together, splashing up into the atmosphere where the droplets cooled quickly into glass tektites that rained back down over central Europe in an oval-shaped field about 275 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide.
As moldavite formed from such a singular event in a relatively small geographic area, there is a finite amount that will ever exist on Earth. The moldavite-bearing gravels are thought to be eroding out at a rate of around 25 kilograms per year, meaning the supply is very gradually dwindling. Some estimates suggest there may be only around 275 tonnes left across the area.
In contrast, diamonds form through long-term geologic processes deep underground. Diamonds originate through tremendous heat and pressure crystallizing carbon in the mantle around 90 to 120 miles underground. Kimberlite and lamproite volcanoes occasionally transport diamonds upward from these mantle depths to the surface through volcanic pipes. This volcanic process has occurred in many locations around the world over billions of years, providing a widespread geographic source for diamonds.
Diamonds are found across every continent except Europe and Antarctica. The major diamond mining countries are Russia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, and Canada. Large diamond deposits have been discovered in these areas and exploratory mining is ongoing to find new reserves. While high-quality gem-grade diamonds are still rare, technological advances have helped diamond mines operate very efficiently with greater diamond recoveries.
For these reasons, moldavite is considered much rarer than diamonds as a whole. The amount of moldavite on Earth is small and fixed, while the worldwide supply of diamonds is still being actively replenished from a diverse set of sources. However, very high-quality colored diamonds and large diamonds over one carat could be competitive in rarity with moldavite. But for the vast majority of diamonds, moldavite takes the prize as the rarer and more limited gemstone.
The rarity and mystique of moldavite has earned it popularity among gem collectors and healers who ascribe it metaphysical properties. Its rarity, uniqueness, and appeal continue to drive up prices and demand. But diamonds remain the most coveted gems globally due to their spectacular brilliance, durance as a symbol of love, and status as the hardest materials on Earth. Though moldavite may be much rarer, diamonds will likely always hold the greater fascination for humans across the world.
