Any gemstone that is approximately the hardness of quartz 7 is said to be 7 in hardness but if it tests between two of the minerals on the scale it is expressed by 1 2. The polish of gems with a mohs hardness of less than 7 can be damaged by common dust which contains tiny particles of quartz hardness 7. Hardness defines the durability of the gemstone the ability to retain its surface finish polish. Hardness is defined as resistance to scratching and is graded between 1 softest and 10 hardest using the mohs scale of mineral hardness. Gems with a hardness rating of 1 2 are considered soft while those in the range of 3 5 are medium hard.
Gems over 6 are considered hard and thus suitable for jewelry. The object of hardness tests is to determine what mineral on mohs scale is most nearly equal to the hardness of the gemstone being tested. The mohs hardness is shown for each of the more common gemstones. Mohs hardness scale for gemstones the mohs hardness scale starts with talc at 1 being the softest mineral and ending with diamond at 10 being the hardest mineral. This scale rates hardness of minerals on a scale of 1.
Even with such variety of colors patterns and shapes they can be broken down into 16 different families based on their chemical composition. Diamond has a hardness of 10 hardest on this scale it is the hardest natural material known. Moh s scale is a relative and not an absolute scale and mainly referred to compare the hardness of gemstones. Gemstone name hardness gemstone name hardness. The gemstones listed here show every color in the rainbow.
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The gemstones listed here show every color in the rainbow. Even with such variety of colors patterns and shapes they can be broken down into 16 different families based on their chemical composition. Gems over 6 are considered hard and thus suitable for jewelry. Any gemstone that is approximately the hardness of quartz 7 is said to be 7 in hardness but if it tests between two of the minerals on the scale it is expressed by 1 2.
