When looking for gemstones for jewellery, engagement rings or othewise, you may see or hear your jeweller or your jewellers website mention Moh’s Hardness Scale.
What is the Moh’s Hardness Scale?
The Moh’s Hardness Scale is a relative system based on 10 different minerals and gemstones used as a reference for how easily specific gemstones scratch. 1 is the easiest to scratch and a 10 is the most difficult. Diamonds are a 10.
The concept is if you have a stone of unknown hardness, and reference mineral #5 can scratch it, then the hardness of your gem is less than or equal to a Mohs hardness of 5. Similarly, if your gem cannot be scratched by reference mineral #5, then its hardness is greater than or equal to a Mohs hardness of 5.
What Hardness is Preferred for Everyday Wear?
Moh’s Scale is the most commonly used system to rate the hardness of gemstones. Anything with a rating of or above 7 is what is most commonly used in jewellery today.
Diamonds are the hardest minerals on earth; they are 4-5 times harder than corundum, the family of sapphires and rubies, which are rated a 9 on the scale. Understandably, this is why diamonds are so desirable for engagement rings.
Want to book a consultation with one of our expert jewellers? Or ask us a question? Send us a message below with your preferred date and time and we will reach out to you to confirm. SYD (02) 9223 2006 MEL (03) 9662 3005 BNE (07) 3051 0839
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Larsen Jewellery
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Gabriel Gurieff
21:43 02 Aug 22
Cannot recommend Larsen jewellery any more highly. Jacinta assisted me with designing and purchasing an engagement ring and process was smooth, professional and enjoyable. Absolutely faultless service; the experience felt personal and rewarding. Came away with a great ring and will be heading back for jewellery in the future. Thanks to the Larsen staff, especially Jacinta who is fabulous!
Natalie & Campbell
12:07 31 Jul 22
Thank you Larsen Jewellery and Fleur for creating my wedding band. It was tricky to find a band to fit right alongside my engagement ring and Fleur helped to custom design/make the most beautiful ring that fits right alongside it perfectly! Such a fun process - thank you so much :)Nat & Cam
lee macdonald
22:53 30 Jul 22
Super Helpful and a fantastic design.
Ivan Culanic
13:50 29 Jul 22
Very helpful to people with limited knowledge of jewellery
James
00:26 29 Jul 22
Very kind and helpful, the end product was better than I could've imagined. Helped me design the perfect engagement ring for my wifeWould highly recommend Larsen's