The Mohs scale of mineral hardness was created in 1812 by German mineralogist Frederich Mohs. The Mohs scale runs from 1 to 10 and starts out with talc (which rates a 1) and runs through diamond (weighing in with a 10 on the Mohs scale).
Because it's doubtful anyone will be running around town with a big, sparkling talc ring on their finger in the foreseeable future, we've appreviated and modified the Mohs scale so that it only addresses some of the gemstones and minerals commonly found in gemstone jewelry today.
| 10 | Diamond |
| 9 | Sapphire, Ruby, Star Ruby, Star Sapphire, Color-Change Sapphire |
| 8.5 | Alexandrite |
| 8 | Mystic Topaz, Spinel, Imperial Topaz, Topaz, |
| 7.5 - 8 | Aquamarine, Beryl (including Emerald), Morganite, |
| 7-7.5 | Tourmaline (including Rubellite, Chrome, Paraiba and Cat's Eye Tourmaline) |
| 7 | Amethyst, Quartz (including Lemon Quartz, Rose Quartz and Smokey Quartz), Citrine, Aventurine |
| 6.5 - 7.5 | All varieties of Garnet |
| 6.5 - 7 | Tanzanite, Peridot, Onyx |
| 6 - 6.5 | Moonstone, |
| 5.5 - 6.5 | Opal, Hematite |
| 5-6 | Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise |
| 4 and below | Malachite, Coral , Pearl and Amber all fall in this category, very soft and easily damaged. |