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Magazine 58F
What is the Mohs scale?
The Mohs scale, assessing the hardness of a stone
Over one hundred and fifty years ago, German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs created the concept of scratch resistance for mineral hardness.The MOHS scale is the most widely used method for classifying gemstones and other minerals or materials based on their hardness.
Mohs selected ten minerals of varying hardness as a reference, which are used throughout the world today.
Which stones in jewelry on the Mohs scale?
|
Scratch resistance (Mohs) |
Comparison mineral |
Easy Ways to Determine Scratch Hardness |
|
1 |
Talc |
Friable under the nail |
|
2 |
Gypsum |
Scratchable with nail |
|
3 |
Calcite |
Scratchable with a coin (copper) |
|
4 |
Fluorite |
Easily scratched with a knife |
|
5 |
Apatite |
Still scratchable with a knife |
|
6 |
Orthosis |
Scratchable with file |
|
7 |
Quartz |
Scratch a window |
|
8 |
Topaz |
|
|
9 |
Corundum |
|
|
10 |
Diamond |
Stones with a resistance lower than quartz are more sensitive to scratches, so be careful when used on jewelry (especially worn in rings which are subject to frequent friction). For stones with a hardness greater than or equal to quartz (i.e. 7), the risk of scratching is more limited. Very high on the Mohs scale, corundums (sapphires and rubies) and diamonds are appreciated, among other things, for these characteristics which ensure a lower risk of chipping.
At the house of 58 Facettes Most of the pieces of jewelry and fine jewelry that we offer are adorned with stones having a hardness on the Mohs scale greater than or equal to 7. You therefore find garnet, amethyst, tourmaline, emerald, aquamarine, sapphire, ruby and of course, the highest in hardness, diamond on our jewelry second-hand.