hardness scale

hard·ness scale

a qualitative scale in which minerals are classified in order of their increasing hardness, based on the fact that the harder of two materials will scratch the softer and will not be scratched by it. The scale lists 15 substances: talc (1); gypsum (2); calcite (3); fluorite (4); apatite (5); orthoclase, periclase (6); vitreous pure silica (7); quartz, stellite (8); topaz (9); garnet (10); tantalum carbide, fused zirconia (11); fused alumina (12); silicon carbide (13); boron carbide (14); diamond (15).
See also: Mohs scale.

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Mohs scale

A system that qualifies minerals according to hardness, ranging from talc (1) to diamond (15).

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Mohs,

Friedrich, German mineralogist, 1773-1839.

Mohs hardness number - a number on a mineralogic scale.

Mohs scale - a qualitative scale in which minerals are classified in order of their increasing hardness. Synonym(s): hardness scale

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