Moh's Hardness Scale
|
1 |
TALC |
|
2 |
GYPSUM |
|
3 |
CALCITE |
|
4 |
FLUORITE |
|
5 |
APATITE |
|
6 |
FELDSPAR |
|
7 |
QUARTZ |
|
8 |
TOPAZ |
|
9 |
CORUNDUM |
|
10 |
DIAMOND |
A German mineralogist named Friedrich
Moh came up with a method of comparing hardness or scratch resistance
of minerals in 1822 known as Moh's scale. The Mohs’ hardness
scale ranges from ONE as the softest mineral and TEN as the hardest
(listed above).
This is used to help when trying
to identify a minerals. The mineral being identified can be scratched
against one on the Moh's scale. If the unidentified mineral scratches
the surface of the Moh's mineral...then you know it is harder.
Next try to scratch a harder mineral on the Moh's scale until
you find one that it won't scratch. This will give you an idea
of the hardness, and that can be used to help idenitfy your mineral.
There are mineral books available that will give you information
on minerals including their hardness.
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