{"id":10880,"date":"2019-11-08T09:30:54","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T09:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/?p=10880"},"modified":"2022-03-07T14:52:49","modified_gmt":"2022-03-07T14:52:49","slug":"mohs-hardness-scale-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/learn\/mohs-hardness-scale-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Mohs Hardness Scale Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you using gemstones<\/a> in your jewellery designs? Whether you\u2019ve been working with diamonds for decades or you\u2019re just starting to learn the stone setting basics, it\u2019s useful to get to know the gemstones you\u2019re working with, in more detail. That\u2019s where Mohs hardness scale comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may sound strange but Mohs hardness scale is a great asset to have in your back pocket. Or pinned to your jewellery studio wall for that matter! Read our guide below on Mohs hardness scale and learn how to use it to your advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Mohs hardness scale?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mohs hardness scale is a chart that measures how resistant a gemstone or mineral is to being scratched or damaged when exposed to general wear and tear. The higher the number on the scale, the harder the gemstone is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohs hardness scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mineral<\/strong><\/span><\/td>Scale of Hardness<\/strong><\/span><\/td>Common Object Comparison<\/strong><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Diamond<\/mark><\/td>10 (Hardest)<\/span><\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
Corundum<\/span><\/td>9<\/span><\/td>Masonry drill bit (8.5)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Topaz<\/mark><\/td>8<\/span><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Quartz<\/mark><\/td>7<\/span><\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
Orthoclase<\/span><\/td>6<\/span><\/span><\/td>Steel tool (6.5)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Apatite<\/span><\/td>5<\/span><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Fluorite<\/mark><\/td>4<\/span><\/td>Copper coin (3.5)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Calcite<\/span><\/td>3<\/span><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Gypsum<\/span><\/td>2<\/span><\/td>Fingernail (2.5)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Talc<\/span><\/td>1 ( Softest)<\/span><\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is Mohs hardness scale used for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mohs hardness scale was developed by German geologist, Friedrich Mohs, in the 1800s and is used worldwide to quantify the hardness of a mineral. The scale is not exact but is based on the ability of one substance (whose hardness is known) to scratch and damage another. For example, if a newly discovered mineral is scratched and damaged by Aquamarine <\/a>(7.5 –\u00a0 8 hardness) but not damaged by Amethyst <\/a>(7 hardness) then its hardness on Mohs scale would fall somewhere between 7 and 7.5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"working<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Durable gemstones for everyday wear<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to specialise in engagement rings and you\u2019re learning your craft in more detail, you\u2019ll need to get to know gemstones that score highly on Mohs hardness scale, and that also have a sturdy internal structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diamonds are traditionally sought after gemstones for engagement rings because of their value but also because of their hardness. What is the hardness of diamond on the Mohs scale? Diamond scores a 10 on Mohs hardness scale \u2013 it\u2019s the hardest known mineral. This makes it an excellent choice for engagement rings that will be worn every day and exposed to general wear and tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having said that, diamonds can still be vulnerable to cracks and fractures, if hit at a certain angle. So, if you\u2019re looking for a gemstone that will be durable enough for an engagement ring design and score well on Mohs hardness scale, you could consider moissanite stones<\/a>. Moissanite stones are considered the man-made alternative to diamonds, just as durable, more brighter and easier to work with. The Charles & Colvard collection of moissanite stones are the best around!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"charles<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re choosing gemstones that are a little less expensive to buy wholesale, and for use with earrings or pendants that are less likely to be worn every day, you have a huge variety to pick from. Just check out the A-Z Mohs hardness scale chart below \u2013 it\u2019s incredibly varied!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever route you decide to take with gemstones, weigh up your options before you commit to a wholesale purchase. Ask yourself whether the jewellery you\u2019re making requires a hard, durable stone, how protected the stone will be by your style of setting, and whether it\u2019s likely that your customer will wear it every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your A-Z Mohs scale of hardness chart for gemstones<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We thought it may help for you to have a guide to hand on the hardness of each of the gemstones we supply here at Cooksongold. Use this to help inform which gemstones<\/a> you use for your latest collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gemstone<\/strong><\/span><\/td>Scale of Hardness<\/strong><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Agate<\/a><\/mark><\/td>7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Amber<\/a><\/mark><\/td>2 – 2.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Amethyst<\/a><\/mark><\/td>7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Carnelian<\/a><\/mark><\/td>7.5 – 8<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Citrine<\/a><\/mark><\/td>7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Cubic Zirconia (CZ)<\/a><\/mark><\/td>8 – 8.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Diamond<\/a><\/mark><\/td>10<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Emerald<\/a><\/mark><\/td>7.5 – 8<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Fire Opal<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6 – 6.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Fluorite<\/a><\/mark><\/td>4<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Garnet<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6.5 – 7.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Hematite<\/a><\/mark><\/td>5.5 – 6.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Jadeite<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6.5 – 7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Labradorite<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6 – 6.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Lapis Lazuli<\/a><\/mark><\/td>5 – 5.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Malachite<\/a><\/mark><\/td>3.5 – 4<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Moissanite<\/a><\/mark><\/td>9.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Moonstone<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6 – 6.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Mother of Pearl<\/a><\/mark><\/td>2.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Onyx<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6.5 – 7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Opal<\/a><\/mark><\/td>5.5 – 6.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Pearl<\/a><\/mark><\/td>2.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Peridot<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6.5 – 7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Quartz<\/a><\/mark><\/td>7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Rhodochrosite<\/a><\/mark><\/td>3.5 – 4<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Ruby<\/a><\/mark><\/td>9<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Sapphire<\/a><\/mark><\/td>9<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Tigers Eye<\/a><\/mark><\/td>6<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Topaz<\/a><\/mark><\/td>8<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Tourmaline<\/a><\/mark><\/td>7 – 7.5<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Turquoise<\/a><\/mark><\/td>5 -6<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you using gemstones in your jewellery designs? Whether you\u2019ve been working with diamonds for decades or you\u2019re just starting to learn the stone setting basics, it\u2019s useful to get to know the gemstones you\u2019re working with, in more detail. That\u2019s where Mohs hardness scale comes in. It may sound strange but Mohs hardness scale […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":20389,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1781],"tags":[470,113,114,522,1602,1603,24,1604,44,45,46,47,57,78,29,34,49,30,414,1775,1605,1606,1607,25,363],"class_list":["post-10880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stone-setting","tag-birth-gemstones","tag-cookson","tag-cooksongold","tag-gems","tag-gemstone-hardness","tag-gemstone-quality","tag-gemstones","tag-hardness-of-gemstone","tag-jewellery","tag-jewellery-blog","tag-jewellery-design","tag-jewellery-designer","tag-jewellery-findings","tag-jewellery-kits","tag-jewellery-making","tag-jewellery-making-supplies","tag-jewellery-tips","tag-jewellery-tools","tag-jewelry","tag-legacy","tag-mohs-hardness","tag-mohs-scale","tag-precious-stones","tag-semi-precious-stones","tag-stone-setting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nMohs Hardness Scale Explained<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Which gemstone will be suitable for your latest jewellery design? 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