COMPOUND

The Mohs Mineral Hardness Scale Ci INTEREST

German Geologist Friedrich Mohs introduced the Mohs hardness scale in 1812. It is based on the ability of one mineral to scratch another: a mineral that
scratches another will be above that mineral in the scale. The scale is a relative ranking, with no fixed difference in hardness between each point on the scale.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Talc Gypsum Calcite Fluorite Apatite Feldspar Quartz Topaz Corundum Diamond

Li

Lithium Sulfur Galena Aragonite Tooth enamel Pyrite Porcelain Beryl Chrysoberyl Boron nitride

Na Au Ag Cu

Sodium Graphite Gold Silver Copper Malachite Haematite Tourmaline Spinel Tungsten carbide

K Ca

Potassium Calcium Muscovite Sphalerite Window glass Magnetite Jadeite Zircon Titanium carbide

NaCl

Candle wax Halite Chalcopyrite Kyanite* Hornblende Garnet Silicon nitride Boron carbide

Fingernail Siderite Obsidian Olivine Kyanite* Cubic zirconia Boron

Bauxite Barite Regular steel Pyroxene Rutile Hardened steel

* Kyanite’s hardness differs depending on the direction in which it is tested — softer when tested parallel to crystals, and harder when tested perpendicular.

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