{"id":1204,"date":"2021-07-22T12:18:24","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T16:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spectralstone.com\/?p=1204"},"modified":"2021-07-22T12:18:24","modified_gmt":"2021-07-22T16:18:24","slug":"which-stones-are-the-hardest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spectralstone.com\/?p=1204","title":{"rendered":"Which stones are the hardest?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s often said that there\u2019s nothing harder than a diamond, and we are often asked if a diamond is used to cut another diamond (the answer is yes)\u2026 But have you ever wondered how we know this? The answer is simple \u2013 the Mohs scale<\/strong> of hardness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1812, Friedrich Mohs \u2013 famous geologist and mineralogist created a scale of mineral hardness grading from the softest (1)<\/strong> to the hardest (10)<\/strong>. The scale was created using the simple technique of one mineral\u2019s ability to visibly scratch another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The softest mineral that features on the scale is Talc at 1, and everyday objects of hardness such as pencil lead (1.5), finger nails (2.5) and window glass (5.5) can help you get a true value of the scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gem<\/strong><\/td>Hardness<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Diamond<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
Ruby<\/td>9<\/td><\/tr>
Sapphire<\/td>9<\/td><\/tr>
Chrysoberyl<\/td>8.5<\/td><\/tr>
Topaz<\/td>8<\/td><\/tr>
Spinel<\/td>8<\/td><\/tr>
Emerald<\/td>7.5 \u2013 8<\/td><\/tr>
Aquamarine<\/td>7.5 \u2013 8<\/td><\/tr>
Morganite<\/td>7.5 \u2013 8<\/td><\/tr>
Amethyst<\/td>7<\/td><\/tr>
Quartz<\/td>7<\/td><\/tr>
Tourmaline<\/td>7 \u2013 7.5<\/td><\/tr>
Citrine<\/td>7<\/td><\/tr>
Tanzanite<\/td>6.5 \u2013 7<\/td><\/tr>
Peridot<\/td>6.5 \u2013 7<\/td><\/tr>
Jasper<\/td>6.5 \u2013 7<\/td><\/tr>
Tiger\u2019s Eye<\/td>6.5 \u2013 7<\/td><\/tr>
Zircon<\/td>6.5 \u2013 7.5<\/td><\/tr>
Bloodstone<\/td>6.5 \u2013 7<\/td><\/tr>
Onyx<\/td>6.5 \u2013 7<\/td><\/tr>
Moonstone<\/td>6 \u2013 6.5<\/td><\/tr>
Opal<\/td>5.5 \u2013 6.5<\/td><\/tr>
Lapis Lazuli<\/td>5 \u2013 6<\/td><\/tr>
Turquoise<\/td>5 \u2013 6<\/td><\/tr>
Malachite<\/td>3.5 \u2013 4<\/td><\/tr>
Coral<\/td>3 \u2013 4<\/td><\/tr>
Pearl<\/td>2.5 \u2013 4.5<\/td><\/tr>
Amber<\/td>2 \u2013 2.5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whilst this scale is a guide to mineral hardness, it does not always factor in other elements of a gemstones structure when you are considering stones for day to day wear. Emeralds for example are well documented as having many inclusions within the stone, these can often weaken the structure and make them more susceptible to scratching and even chipping \u2013 and some styles are not suitable for everyday wear. Citrines, however, are not recommended to come into contact with heat as they can fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Through July 31st, don’t wait!<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s often said that there\u2019s nothing harder than a diamond, and we are often asked if a diamond is used to cut another diamond (the answer is yes)\u2026 But have you ever wondered how we know this? The answer is simple \u2013 the Mohs scale of hardness. In 1812, Friedrich Mohs \u2013 famous geologist and mineralogist created […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":173032125,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9637209],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stone-jewelry"],"yoast_head":"\nWhich stones are the hardest? | Spectral Stone Lapidary Arts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/spectralstone.com\/?p=1204\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Which stones are the hardest?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s often said that there\u2019s nothing harder than a diamond, and we are often asked if a diamond is used to cut another diamond (the answer is yes)\u2026 But have you ever wondered how we know this? 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