Moh's Hardness Scale

German mineralogist Freidrich Mohs introduced the Moh's Hardness Scale in 1812. This scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals. Moh's Hardness Scale is still used today. Moh's scale gives an idea of the hardness of some of the stones found in your jewelry box. This scale can also be used to show which stones may need to be protected a little more than others.

What is Moh’s Hardness Scale?
Moh’s Hardness Scale is a list of ten different minerals which are arranged in order from softest to hardest. The hardest mineral at number ten is the diamond; the softest mineral on the scale is talc at number one. Each mineral will scratch the minerals below it. Below you will find the complete scale with its corresponding number.

Moh’s Hardness Scale:
Diamond (10)

Corundum (9) -- Sapphire, Ruby

Beryls (8) -- Topaz, Emerald, Aquamarine

Crystalline (7) -- Quartz, Amethyst, Opal

Orthoclase/Feldspar (6)

Apatite (5)

Fluorite/Fluorspar (4)

Calcite/Limestone (3)

Gypsum (2)

Talc (1)

Protecting Jewelry By Using Moh's Scale
As you can see with Moh’s Hardness Scale, some minerals can be quite soft, and some will even scratch other minerals. This is one reason it is important to protect your jewelry. Protecting precious stones will help them to stay looking nice for a long time. If you own jewelry with a precious stone, it is especially important that you have a box or jewelry armoire to store it in. Jewelry needs to be stored in a clean and dry area; a box or armoire will provide this. A jewelry box or armoire also has space and compartments which allow you to store necklaces and bracelets in a way that it won’t get tangled. This is also important if you want to prolong the life of your jewelry.

The Moh’s Hardness Scale can assist you in understanding jewelry’s hardness. Protecting jewelry with a box or armoire is one of the most important things you can do to keep your jewelry looking great. By understanding and following Moh's Hardness Scale you will also ensure that your jewelry is around for a long time and free of scratches.

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