Search Gemstone Knowledge
Gemstone Science
Mohs Hardness 5 to 5.5: Apatite, Obsidian and T...
Turquoise, apatite, and obsidian at Mohs 5 to 5.5 require protective settings and gentle care. Turquoise is porous and absorbs chemicals. Apatite has vivid colors but poor toughness. Obsidian is...
Mohs Hardness 5 to 5.5: Apatite, Obsidian and T...
Turquoise, apatite, and obsidian at Mohs 5 to 5.5 require protective settings and gentle care. Turquoise is porous and absorbs chemicals. Apatite has vivid colors but poor toughness. Obsidian is...
Mohs Hardness 6 to 6.5: Feldspar, Moonstone and...
Feldspar gems including moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, and amazonite are Mohs 6 to 6.5 with two perfect cleavage directions. They require protective settings, gentle cleaning, and careful handling despite their extraordinary...
Mohs Hardness 6 to 6.5: Feldspar, Moonstone and...
Feldspar gems including moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, and amazonite are Mohs 6 to 6.5 with two perfect cleavage directions. They require protective settings, gentle cleaning, and careful handling despite their extraordinary...
Mohs Hardness 7: Quartz Family Hardness and Eve...
Mohs 7 is the dust threshold for jewelry wear. The quartz family including amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, and chalcedony sits at this level with good toughness and easy care, making...
Mohs Hardness 7: Quartz Family Hardness and Eve...
Mohs 7 is the dust threshold for jewelry wear. The quartz family including amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, and chalcedony sits at this level with good toughness and easy care, making...
Mohs Hardness 8: Topaz, Spinel and Beryl Hardne...
Mohs 8 includes topaz, spinel, and beryl (emerald, aquamarine, morganite). Spinel has excellent toughness while topaz has perfect cleavage making it vulnerable to impact. Emerald is fragile despite its hardness...
Mohs Hardness 8: Topaz, Spinel and Beryl Hardne...
Mohs 8 includes topaz, spinel, and beryl (emerald, aquamarine, morganite). Spinel has excellent toughness while topaz has perfect cleavage making it vulnerable to impact. Emerald is fragile despite its hardness...
Mohs Hardness 9: Corundum — Ruby and Sapphire H...
Corundum (ruby and sapphire) is Mohs 9, the second hardest natural mineral. Its combination of high hardness, excellent toughness, and no cleavage makes it the most practical colored gem for...
Mohs Hardness 9: Corundum — Ruby and Sapphire H...
Corundum (ruby and sapphire) is Mohs 9, the second hardest natural mineral. Its combination of high hardness, excellent toughness, and no cleavage makes it the most practical colored gem for...
Mohs Hardness 10: Diamond — The Hardest Natural...
Diamond is Mohs 10 due to its unique tetrahedral carbon bond structure. It is approximately 4 times harder than corundum in absolute terms, yet has only fair toughness due to...
Mohs Hardness 10: Diamond — The Hardest Natural...
Diamond is Mohs 10 due to its unique tetrahedral carbon bond structure. It is approximately 4 times harder than corundum in absolute terms, yet has only fair toughness due to...