Holkov Moldavite Locality

Holkov is part of the established South Bohemian moldavite region. The locality offers a useful example of how ordinary-looking as well as sculptured pieces can retain scientific value when their provenance is secure.

Location Framework

Situated among the sediment-bearing landscapes south of České Budějovice, Holkov is a recovery locality within the Czech strewn field. Its deposits have been affected by erosion and later landscape development.

Geological Context

The glass formed during the Ries impact around 14.8 million years ago and arrived in the Bohemian sector of the field. It was then preserved or redistributed within younger deposits.

Subsequent abrasion and chemical alteration could soften edges, mark older fractures and change the surface lustre. These later processes account for much of the variation seen in field specimens.

Specimen Range

Available records show green moldavites in compact, flattened, irregular and fragmentary forms. A Holkov attribution cannot be established from any one shape or texture.

Transmission varies with thickness, bubbles, internal flow and the condition of the exterior. Reflected-light and backlit views should therefore be read together.

Condition Records

Condition notes need to distinguish continuous weathered skin from recent chips, crushed edges or cleaning marks. Exact images, weight and dimensions should remain attached to the same numbered specimen.

Regional Significance

As part of a documented comparison set, Holkov helps show that locality identity is geological and historical rather than purely visual. Honest labels make modest specimens useful to future collectors and researchers.

Collection Ethics

Collection is appropriate only where the owner permits it and applicable Czech rules allow it. Context should be recorded without publishing sensitive access details.