The Mohs Scale.

Gemstones are ranked according to their Mohs hardness. Mohs hardness refers to a material’s ability to resist abrasion or scratching.  Although a hard gem is not automatically tough or durable. It was devised by  Friedrich Moh in 1812, the scale grades minerals on a scale from 1 (very soft) to 10 (very hard).

Remember the difference between the hardness of a diamond and that of a sapphire, is much greater than the scale suggests – diamond at (10) is about 4-5 times harder than sapphire (9), which is about 2 times harder than topaz (8).  So it’s a guide – to know which stone is harder, but not by how much.

 

 

 

 

Mohs Scale of Hardness is as follows:

10  Diamond

9  Ruby and Sapphire

8.5 Chrysoberyl, Synthetic Cubic Zirconia and Alexandrite

8 Beryl, Emerald, Aquamarine, Topaz, Spinel and Morganite

7.5 Garnet, Tourmaline and Iolite

7   Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Agate and Peridot

6.5  Zircon, Andradite, Zoisite, Tanzanite, Jade, Pyrite, Hematite and Kunzite

6 Feldspar, Scapolite, Glass, Rhodonite, Labradorite and Moonstone

5.5  Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Sphene and Diopside,

5 Apatite

4 Fluorite, Rhodochrosite and Malachite

3 Calcite, A penny, Coral and Pearl

2.5 Silver, Gold, Amber and Serpentine

2 Gypsum

1 Talc

Only Use When Nessesary!

The Moh scale isn’t used as a test much, its the last resort as the stone has to be scratched and if so, it is done on the underside of the stone where it is less visible.