BESEDNICE MOLDAVITES

Page fully updated ; massive new inventory posted 18 February 2012

If you've gotten this far, you probably know that this is as good as it gets with moldavites. No other locality even comes close to the deep, delicate ornamentation and emerald color of these fine ladies.

The deeply and intricately sculptured Besednices come from an area about 50 meters on a side. Other sources within sight of this tiny area lack this incredible detail. This pattern also holds vertically: even within this special locality, specimens from the top 3 meters or so are not this ornate. At about 4 meters, the water table is encountered, and large volumes of water flooding the pits makes further digging very challenging. It is at this level that the classic Besednices were found.

The clay pits at Besednice, Czech Republic, have been closed for ten years*. Moldavite hunters burrowing beneath the 10-foot banks were encroaching on protected forest land (and were getting themselves killed). The area is now behind patrolled chain-link fencing and reportedly is slated to become a national park. Folks that were providing a supplemental income for their families by digging these fine gems are now selling their "keepers". When they're gone, they're gone. I deal directly with buyers in the Czech Republic who buy from the locals. At the big Tucson show this year (January,2007), I saw Czech dealers asking 3 to 5 times what I used to have to pay for top grade Besednices just a few years ago. Very soon they will be essentially out of reach (or simply not available at all).

* In 2006/7 a new operator started up a mechanized operation cleaning out the last little bit of the main pit. From reports and from what I have seen first-hand, their use of mechanical screen decks is breaking the tiny fragile tips off of virtually every specimen. By means of photos, I was offered what looked like a superb selection, but for some reason I had cold feet and never parted with the money to place the order. Now I'm glad. I saw some of the new output this year at Tucson. It is mostly below our quality standards.

The rumors about dwindling stocks of new Moldavite specimens are very real. Here's an email that I received from one of my best sources in the Czech Republic:

Norm)

Tucson show 2007; Further Update: Besednices were on our shopping list, and in past years have been a big piece of our total expenditures. This year I bought two (2) pieces. For the first time I saw broken specimens that had been retouched with a grinder!; In 2011, we found ONE piece worth buying.

These specimens are so unique and beautiful that they will always be in demand. The supply-side is drying up.

You do the math.

(Besednice is pronounced "Bes ed neet' sa").

A comment regarding pricing: While moldavites are widely sold by the gram, we strive to select only the finest specimen-grade pieces we can find. We sort(ed) (past tense) through thousands annually, and bought only the twenty or thirty individuals that we considered best. These are sold as specimens, priced according to quality. If you see a piece that seems highly priced on a per-gram basis, rest assured that it is truly exceptional. We don't carry bulk moldavite scraps, so if you are looking for that kind of stuff, look no further here. If you want a classic piece of an increasingly rare material, we're working for you! Occasionally when we order a lot sight unseen direct from the Czech Republic, we get a few that we wouldn't have selected first-hand. You will find these discounted in the list below.

The pieces below are listed from heaviest to lightest, and prices generally correspond. We do have another page of moldavite teardrops, and also a selection of quality pieces from other localities that are not yet listed at all, so ask if you don't find what you want---. I have ordered a lot of thin, symmetrical, leaf-shaped pieces from other localities; so check back for a new page in a few weeks.

(Posted measurement is the maximum dimension for the specimen. ))

Click on thumbnails for enlarged view; Close resulting window to return here

All "sold" items deleted 9Feb2012.

	9.6 gms 41.0 mm	# 04096: $192 A beautifully ornamented curved triangle On hold, I.S. 2/20/12
	9.2 gms 32.5 mm	#04092a: $184 A thicker hedgehog form. Quite irregular.
	9.2 gms 31.2 mm	#04092b: $195 A disk with nice color and great ornamentation. The pie-wedge gap reflects a ruptured bubble. There are some glassy chips along the bubble edge, visible only from the "back" side.
	7.4 gms 50.6 mm	#05074b: $210; A fine, classic specimen! gently curved like a big claw---
	7.4 gms 27.5 mm	#04074b: $200 Another thick-bodied "hog" with a large breached bubble cavity behind the light-colored projection high on the left side.
	6.9 gms	#2011-069: $225 : The only Besednice we acquired in 2011--- Great deep ornamentation.
	6.8 gms 37.8 mm	#05068: $205 Nicer than the picture looks. This is a fine example of all that Besednice should be. Deeply, sharply, beautifully ornamented.
	6.6 gms 34.3 mm	#05066: $160 Price reduced due to two glassy chips (broken spines). Curved like a crescent moon.
	5.6 gms	#Bes2012-056: $170 Contains an internal bubble.On hold, A.A., 2/20/12
	5.5 gms 37.5 mm	#05055: $110; Very typical Besednice.
	5.4 gm 33.0 mm	#04054: $135; A cylindrical hedgehog. Sharp!
	5.2 gms	#2012-052a; $150 Classic, deep ornamentationOn hold, I.S. 2/20/12
	5.0 gms 29.5 mm	#04050a: $150; A sharply ornamented slightly dished diamond shape.
	4.9 gms	#2012-049; $150; A great Besednice teardrop!
	4.9 gms 32.8mm	#7049: Twisted plate. $115
	4.8 gms 33.8mm	#05048A: $150. One of my favorites from the new shipment. Again, a couple of small glassy chips on reverse, flawless front.
	4.8 gms 45.6mm	#05048B: $150. Beautiful piece. Couple of small glassy chips on reverse, flawless front.
	4.7 gms	#2012-047; $145 Nice teardrop shape with a made-for-wirewrap groove (the lighter horizontal band in the photo).
	4.5 gms	#2012-045; $110. Crescent shaped in end view.
	4.3 gms	#2012-043; $120. Very classic deep ornamentationOn hold, I.S. 2/20/12
	4.3 gms 34.5 mm	#05043b: $125
	4.2 gms	#2012-042; $125. Nice teardrop
	4.0 gms	#2012-040; $135. Gorgeous piece!
	4.0 gms 35.2 mm	#7040: Slightly curved rectangular plate. $115
	3.9 gms	#2012-039; $120. Nice symmetry.
	3.9 gms 37.6 mm	#05039: $125; A fine, classic Besednice.
	3.8 gms	#2012-038; $115
	3.8 gms 28.1mm	#7038: There's a sharp point hidden in my index finger--- $115
	3.7 gms 38.6 mm	#05037: $120; Very interesting thicker free-form shape. Deeply spined.
	3.6 gms	#2012-036b; $145 Fantastic little 3-D equidimensional spiny hedgehog! Free-standing in a variety of poses.
	3.6 gms	#2012-036a; $110. Interesting curved-blade shape
	3.6 gms 34.8 mm	#05036B: $135: Perfect slightly curved willow-leaf. A classic Besednice form.
	3.6 gms 37.4 mm	#7036: Sharp point at top. Exceptionally thin, so you get a lot of acreage for the weight. $95
	3.6 gms 28.8 mm	#05036: $100 Nice ornamentation
	3.5 gm	#2012-035d; $140. Superb slightly curved symmetrical teardrop. A classic.On hold, I.S. 2/20/12
	3.5 gms	#2012-035b; $105. Nice ornamentation
	3.5 gms	#2012-035a; $130. A very nice piece, fairly thick with a deep longitudinal groove.
	3.4 gms 33.4 mm	#05034: $90 One small glassy chip
	3.3 gms 31.6 mm	#05033: $115; Interesting "U"-shaped pits, like a woodcarver's gouge marks.
	3.2 gms	#2012-032; $80
	3.2 gms 33.7 mm	#7032: Nice, deeply ornamented. $95
	3.1 gms	#2012-031; $125. A very spiny teardrop. Great shape!
	3.1 gms 32.0 mm	#05031a: $90
	3.0 gms	#2012-030; $105. Symmetrical diamond-shape
	2.9 gms	#2012-029a; $90. Symmetrical curved plate with classic ornamentation.
	2.9 gms	#2012-029b; $80. Thin plate, so you get relatively large surface area
	2.9 gms	#2012-029c; $95. A sweet, altogether classic little Besednice.
	2.9 gms 40.6 mm	#05029: $100; A thin angel fish! Sweet.
	2.8 gms	#2012-028; $80. Curved crescent-shape in side view.
	2.8 gms 28.2 mm	#7028c: Good deep spiny ornamentation. $80
	2.8 gms 37.3 mm	#7028d: Slightly tapering rectangular plate. Great jewelry piece. $85
	2.8 gms 27.2 mm	# 05028: $75 Thin, squarish plate with nice surface character.
	2.7 gms	#2012-027a; $70. Nice triangular plate
	2.7 gms	#2012-027b; $70 Quite perfectly matched in weight, dimensions and shape with #2012-027d below. Unique earrings anyone? These really belong together as a set!
	2.7 gms	#2012-027c; $80. Saddle-shaped with a longitudinal half-bubble along one edge.
	2.7	#2012-027d; $70. Quite perfectly matched in weight, dimensions and shape with #2012-027b above.
	2.6 gms	#2012-026a; $65. Triangular plate.
	2.6 gms	#2012-026b; $95. Fantastic modernistic guitar shape! Quite well matched with #2012-024a below (but this one is more deeply sculpted). One of my favorite pieces of the 2012 acquisitions.
	2.6 gms 37.7 mm	#05026a: $75
	2.6 gms 27.6 mm	#7026: Deep opposed side-notches could make for a neat wire-wrap jewel. $80
	2.5 gms	#2012-025a; $60. A thick hedgehog.
	2.5 gms	#2012-025b; $50. Another free-standing hedgehog. Has small glassy chip on base.
	2.5 gms 31.4 mm	#05025C: $75. Fine, sharply ornamented piece.
	2.5 gms 30.1 mm	#05025D: $75. Attractive, finely detailed surface pattern.
	2.5 gms 23.7mm	#05025A: $80. A comma-shaped curl when viewed from the edge.
	2.5 gms 37.0mm	#05025B: $80. Thin, ornate form. Beautiful.
	2.4 gms	#2012-024a; $90. Beautiful thin triangular plate with high symmetry. Compare with #2012-026b above. Very similar in size and shape, although this one is less bizarre in edge notching.
	2.4 gms	#2012-024b; $60. A classic little Besednice.
	2.3 gms	#2012-023a; $70. Pleasing twisted ribbon form. Free-standing.
	2.3 gms	#2012-023b; $80. Remarkable spiny piece with a prominent medial groove. Very nive specimen!
	2.3 gms	#2012-023c; $75. Great deeply ornamented example.
	2.3 gms 29.1 mm	#05023A: $60. Nice leaf-like symmetry.
	2.3 gms 25.7 mm	#7023: Is it a bird or a turtle? $55
	2.3 gms 22.5 mm	#05023: $55; A miniature "hog".
	2.3 gms 28.9 mm	#05023: $45
	2.2 gms	#2012-022a; $75. Classic willow-leaf symmetry. Very pleasing little classic.
	2.2 gms	#2012-022b; $65 Nicely ornamented plate.
	2.2 gms	#2012-022c; $75. A thicker piece that calls up images of the rising phoenix!
	2.2 gms 31.4 mm	#05022B: $55. Arrow-head or Christmas tree shape, unusual very fine textured pitting.
	2.1 gms	#2012-021a; $75. Here is a truly spectacular piece. The picture speaks for itself. See the near-twin to this piece below: #2012-021d.
	2.1 gms	#2012-021b; $50. Nicely ornamented.
	2.1 gms	#2012-021c; $45. A flat-bottomed little dome.
	2.1 gms	#2012-021d; $70. Almost a twin to #2012-021a above. These two are a remarkable set, virtually identical in weight and dimensions.
	2.1 gms 23.1 mm	#05021: $55. Sweet little starburst! Jewelry?
	2.1 gms 27.6 mm	#04021a: $55 Another exceptionally thin plate.
	2.1 gms 27.5 mm	#04021b: $55 A nice miniature,
	2.1 gms 25.1 mm	#7021: With great symmetry, this thin, flat plate is perfect for jewelry! $60
	2.1 gms 28.8mm	#05021A: $60. Quite symmetrical kite-shape.
	2.1 gms 34.8mm	#05021B: $60. Thin, curved like a thin crescent moon in edge view.
	2.0 gms	#2012-020a; $55. A slightly curved willow-leaf form.
	2.0 gms	#2012-020b; $55. A bird-wing?
	2.0 gms 36.3 mm	# 05020C: $60 Huge for its weight due to exceptional thinness.
	2.0 gms 37.2 mm	#7020a: Unusual form. $55
	1.8 gms	#2012-018a; $50. A classic little Besednice.
	1.8 gms	#2012-018; $50. A relatively equidimensional spiny hedgehog.
	1.8 gms 33.4 mm	#05018B: $55: Ultra-thin curved plate. Some of the ornamentation has etched clear through forming several natural holes. You get a very large piece for the weight. Interesting.
	1.7 gms	#2012-017a; $50. Another very pleasing classic-form Besednice.
	1.7 gms	#2012-017b; $40. A thick-bodied sharply-ornamented apostrophe shape.
	1.7 gms	#2012-017c; $20. has a small glassy chip, reducing the price.
	1.6 gms	#2012-016a; $35. A nice thin triangle.
	1.6 gms	#2012-016b; $35. classic Besednice character.
	1.6 gms	#2012-016c; $45. Very sweet and pleasing piece!
	1.6 gms	#2012-016d; $35. Nice ornamentation.
	1.6 gms	#2012-016e; $35. All that a Besednice should be in a small package---
	1.6 gms 37.4 mm	#7016a: Remarkably ornate and deep-spined. $45
	1.6 gms 23.0 mm	#7016b: A sweet little gem. $45
	1.5 gms	#2012-015a; $35. A perfect little equilateral triangle plate.
	1.5 gms	#2012-015b; $30. rmarkable preservation of fragile thin fins.
	1.5 gms	#2012-015c; $35. A glossy, very thin plate. Could be great jewelry piece with a silver backing---
	1.5 gms 25.1 mm	#7015a: Gently curved plate. $40
	1.5 gms 24.7 mm	#7015b: Nice symmetry. Sharp tips hidden in my fingers top and bottom. $40
	1.4 gms	#2012-014; $35. Beautiful curved leaf shape.
	1.4 gms 23.0 mm	#05014: $30: Triangular little jewel
	1.3 gms	#2012-013; $30. Deeply ornamented equilateral triangle plate.
	1.2 gms 26.9 mm	#05012: $35: Very neat little classic.
	1.1 gms	#2012-011; $35. A perfect miniature Besednice. Very pleasing form.
	1.1 gms 18.3 mm	#05011: $25. A totally beautiful little starburst jewel!
	1.0 gms	#2012-010; $20. Another jewell.
	0.9 gms	#2012-009a; $20. Gossamer-thin plate. Relatively huge for its weight.
	0.9 gms	#2012-009b; $20. Perfect Besednice in miniature!
	0.8 gms	#2012-008; $20. dragon head? Wiley coyote? Very peculiar little piece!
Just for your viewing pleasure, here are some of the classics that we have previously sold. Congrats to the proud owners!
	10.3 gms 46.5 mm	#04103: Spectacular. One of our best pieces! Fabulous symmetry. Thin, square plate with one truncated corner. SOLD
	5.0 gms 70.7 mm	#05050: Whoa! Amazing classic willow-leaf form. Thin and sharply spined. An outrageous piece by any standard. Sold. He who hesitates is lost---
	13.7 gms 55.1 mm	#04137: SOLD Look close. An amazing piece. A uniformly thin, curving plate with spectacular ornamentation. Impressively big for its weight. One of our best.
	8.7 gms 41.7 mm	#04087: A stunning, flawless, deeply ornamented specimen. Everything a great Besednice should be! Gorgeous piece. Sold
	6.3 gms 45.6 mm	#04063: Tissue thin spine plates along either side of the top edge (in the image) cradle a bubble cavity. A one-in-a-thousand chance for flawless survival, but this one made it. As delicate a specimen as you will ever see, with very pleasing form! Sold
	14.3 gms 60.3 mm	#7143: Amazing flawless fan-shaped plate. And HUGE!SOLD

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