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What is Mohs Hardness Scale?

The Mohs Hardness Scale is a set of ten reference minerals (numbered 1 through 10) that are used to determine the relative hardness of minerals and other objects. In this test the hardness of a mineral is defined as its “resistance to being scratched”. A list of the Mohs Hardness Scale Minerals is shown in the table below. A photo of a Mohs hardness kit is shown in the accompanying photo.

Mohs Hardness Scale Minerals
MineralHardness
Talc1
Gypsum2
Calcite3
Fluorite4
Apatite5
Orthoclase6
Quartz7
Topaz8
Corundum9
Diamond10
Mohs Hardness Scale
Mohs Hardness Kit: A Mohs Hardness Scale kit containing: (1) talc; (2) gypsum; (3) calcite; (4) fluorite; (5) apatite; (6) orthoclase; (7) quartz; (8) topaz; and (9) corundum. Diamond (10) is not included in most kits to keep the cost down. Also, a diamond specimen would be so small that it would need to be mounted in a handle to be useful.

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