The Moh’s scale of gemstone hardness
The Mohs Scale of Hardness: A Guide to Choosing the Right Gemstones for Your Jewellery
When it comes to selecting gemstones for your jewellery, considering their hardness is essential to ensure lasting beauty and durability. The Mohs Scale of Hardness, developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, provides a handy reference to understand how well a gemstone can withstand wear and tear. This knowledge helps you make informed choices when choosing gemstones for rings, pendants, earrings, and other jewellery pieces.
The scale ranks minerals from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Each level on the scale can help you determine which gemstones are suitable for different types of jewellery:
Rings & Bracelets: For jewellery that receives frequent contact, like rings and bracelets, it's best to opt for harder gemstones. Gems with a Mohs hardness of 7 or higher, such as sapphires, rubies, and diamonds, are excellent choices. These stones are less likely to scratch or chip with daily wear.
Pendants & Necklaces: Pendants and necklaces are generally less exposed to impact and friction compared to rings. Gemstones with a Mohs hardness of 6 or higher, like tanzanite, amethyst, aquamarine, and topaz, can be ideal for these types of jewellery.
Earrings: Earrings usually experience minimal wear and tear. While you can still choose harder gemstones, you have more flexibility in selecting stones with a Mohs hardness of 4-5 or higher, such as pearl, opal, peridot, and tanzanite.
Occasional Wear: If you're considering gemstones for special occasion jewellery that won't be worn daily, you have more room to explore softer gems. Gemstones with a Mohs hardness of 4 or higher, like opal and moonstone, can be beautiful choices for such pieces.
Examples of stones with hardness ranging from 1-10:
Talc (1)
Gypsum (2), Amber (2)
Calcite (3), Coral (3)
Pearl (2.5-4.5), Malachite (3.5-4), Fluorite (4)
Apatite (5), Turquoise (5-6), Lapis Lazuli (5-6), Opal (5.5-6.5)
Labradorite (6-6.5), Moonstone (6-6.5), Tanzanite (6-6.5)
Onyx (6.5-7), Garnet (6.5-7.5), Zircon (6.5-7.5), Peridot (6.5-7.5), Amethyst (7), Citrine (7), Tourmaline (7-7.5)
Emerald (7.5), Morganite (7.5), Aquamarine (7.5-8), Topaz (8), Spinel (8)
Chrysoberyl (8.5), Sapphire (9), Ruby (9)
Diamond (10)
It's important to note that hardness isn't the only factor to consider. Some gemstones, even if relatively hard, might have cleavage planes and inclusions that make them more prone to breaking along certain directions, especially if knocked. If in doubt, feel free to contact us for guidance on selecting the right gemstones for your specific jewellery pieces based on your wearing style.
In summary, the Mohs Scale of Hardness is a valuable tool in helping you choose gemstones that match the intended use of your jewellery. By considering the hardness of gemstones in relation to the type of jewellery you're creating, you can ensure your creations remain stunning and resilient for years to come.
