Some Gems/Minerals and their Hardness based on the Mohs Scale
1 = softest (most brittle and easily carved and/or damaged)
10 = hardest (most durable, harder to carve)
|
Agate |
6½ |
|
Alabaster |
2 |
|
Alexandrite |
8½ |
|
Amber |
2-2½ |
|
Amethyst |
7 |
|
Andalusite |
7-7½ |
|
Apatite |
5 |
|
Apophyllite |
4½-5 |
|
Axinite |
6½-7 |
|
Azurite |
3½-4 |
|
Benitoite |
6-6½ |
|
Beryl |
7½-8 |
|
Black coral |
3 |
|
Bowenite |
5-5½ |
|
Brazilianite |
5½ |
|
Chalcedony |
6½-7 |
|
Chrysoberyl |
8 ½ |
|
Citrine |
7 |
|
Conch pearl |
3½ |
|
Copal |
2 |
|
Coral |
3½-4 |
|
Corundum |
9 |
|
Diamond |
10 |
|
Diopside |
5-6 |
|
Dumortierite |
7 |
|
Emerald |
8½ |
|
Epidote |
6-7 |
|
Fluorite |
4 |
|
Garnet |
7-7½ |
|
Glass |
5-6 |
|
Hematite |
5½-6½ |
|
Iolite |
7-7½ |
|
Jadeite |
6½-7 |
|
Jet |
2½-4 |
|
Kunzite |
6½ |
|
Kyanite |
4-7 |
|
Labradorite |
6 |
|
Lazulite |
5-6 |
|
Lazurite (lapis
lazuli) |
5-6 |
|
Malachite |
3½-4 |
|
Marcasite |
6-6½ |
|
Moldavite |
5½ |
|
Moonstone |
6 |
|
Nephrite |
6-6½ |
|
Obsidian |
5-5½ |
|
Onyx |
6½ |
|
Opal |
5½ |
|
|
2½-4½ |
|
Peridot |
6½-7 |
|
Peridot |
6½ |
|
Prehnite |
6-6½ |
|
Pyrite |
6-6½ |
|
Quartz |
7 |
|
Rhodochrosite |
3½-4½ |
|
Rhodonite |
5½-6½ |
|
Ruby |
9 |
|
Sapphire |
9 |
|
Serpentine (except for Bowenite) |
2-4 |
|
Soapstone |
1-2½ |
|
Sodalite |
5-6 |
|
Spinel |
8 |
|
Tanzantie |
6½ |
|
TigerEye |
7 |
|
Topaz |
8 |
|
Tourmaline |
7-7½ |
|
Turquoise |
5-6 |
|
Zircon |
7½ |
|
Zoisite |
6-7 |