The Scratch Test: Moh's Scale
The Scratch Test: Moh's Scale Mineral hardness is determined by a relative scale called the Moh's Scale.
It is relative because ten minerals - chosen from the softest to the hardest - are used to compare or relate each other to.
It is relative because ten minerals - chosen from the softest to the hardest - are used to compare or relate each other to.
- Talc (softest ... pencil lead)
- Gypsum (your fingernail)
- Calcite
- Fluorite (a copper penny ... look for old pennies!)
- Apatite (a knife blade or window glass)
- Feldspar (a steel file)
- Quartz
- Topaz
- Sapphire
- Diamond (hardest ... this scratches everything!)