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Mohs Scale Minerals

1. Talc (Softest)
2. Gypsum
3. Calcite
4. Fluorite
5. Apatite
6. Feldspar
7. Quartz
8. Topaz
9. Corundum (sapphire, ruby)
10. Diamond (Hardest)

Average Mohs Hardness of Other Materials

Aluminum 1.5
Amber 2.0-2.5
Gold 2.5-3
Wulfenite 2.5-3
Vanadanite 2.5-3
Pearl 2.5-4.5
Barite 3-3.5
Sphalerite 3.5-4
Malachite 3.5-4
Dolomite 3.5-4
Siderite 3.5-4.5
Kyanite 4-7
Smithsonite 4-4.5
Obsidian 5-5.5
Cobalt 5.5 Turquoise 5-6
Glass 5-6
Opal 5.5-6.5
Hematite 5.5-6.5
Labradorite 6
Pyrite 6-6.5
Orthoclase 6-6.5
Tanzanite 6-7
Epidote 6-7
Zircon 6.5
Peridot 6.5-7
Jadeite 6.5-7
Grossular Garnet 7
Spessartine Garnet 7-7.5
Almandine Garnet 7.5
Beryl 7.5-8
Spinel 8
Cubic Zirconia 8.5

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What is the order of the minerals from the softest to the hardest?

The order of minerals from softest to hardest is: talc, gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase feldspar, quartz, topaz, corundum, and diamond. This scale is known as the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.


Why might it be important to know the hardness of different minerals?

Knowing the hardness of different minerals is important in identifying and categorizing minerals. The Mohs Scale of Hardness can help determine a mineral's resistance to scratching, which can aid in its identification. Understanding a mineral's hardness also has practical applications in industries such as construction and jewelry making.


How is the Mohs scale of mineral hardness used?

The Mohs scale is used to aid in quick field identification of minerals, along with other techniques. Mohs based the scale on ten minerals that are all readily available. As the hardest known naturally occurring substance, diamond is at the top of the scale. The hardness of a material is measured against the scale by finding the hardest material that the given material can scratch, and/or the softest material that can scratch the given material. For example, if some material is scratched by apatite but not by fluorite, its hardness on the Mohs scale would fall between 4 and 5. Hardness Mineral 1 Talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) 2 Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) 3 Calcite (CaCO3) 4 Fluorite (CaF2) 5 Apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH-,Cl-,F-) 6 Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8) 7 Quartz (SiO2) 8 Topaz (Al2SiO4(OH-,F-)2) 9 Corundum (Al2O3) 10 Diamond (C)


What characteristic must all minerals have in order to exhibit cleavage planes?

In order to exhibit cleavage planes, all minerals must have a crystalline structure.


Name the 10 hardest-minerals in order.?

The hardness of minerals is measured using Mohs scale. Minerals are ranked due to their relative hardness from 1 to 10; 1 being the softest, and 10 being the hardest.10 Diamond 9 Corundum 8 Topaz 7 Quartz (porcelain - 7) 6 Orthoclase (steel file - 6.5) 5 Apatite (knife blade or nail - 5, window glass - 5.5) 4 Fluorite 3 Calcite 2 Gypsum (fingernail - 2) 1 Talc.

Related Questions

What is the order of the minerals from the softest to the hardest?

The order of minerals from softest to hardest is: talc, gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase feldspar, quartz, topaz, corundum, and diamond. This scale is known as the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.


How does mineralogist identify the hardness of a mineral?

Minerologists identify mineral harness with a variety of tools. In order of hardness, they gnerally use their fingernails, nails, copper pennies, knife blades, glass, porcelain and other minerals such as quartz, topaz, corundum and diamond. The Moh's Hardness Scale gives a list of minerals in order of hardness with talc being the softest with a rating of "1" and diamond the hardest at a "10".


Why might it be important to know the hardness of different minerals?

Knowing the hardness of different minerals is important in identifying and categorizing minerals. The Mohs Scale of Hardness can help determine a mineral's resistance to scratching, which can aid in its identification. Understanding a mineral's hardness also has practical applications in industries such as construction and jewelry making.


5 why is Gypsum is a 2 on Mohs hardness scale while topaz is an 8 Can gypsum scratch topaz?

No, gypsum cannot scratch topaz. Minerals with a higher number on the Moh's Hardness Scale can scratch minerals that are lower-numbered, but lower numbers can't scratch higher numbers. A mineral would have to have a number higher than an 8 on the Moh's hardness scale in order to scratch topaz.


What is the order of MOHs rating softest to hardest augite cinnabar emerald magnetite sapphire?

The order of hardness from softest to hardest for the mentioned minerals is as follows: cinnabar, emerald, augite, sapphire, magnetite.


Can a mineral scratch any mineral with a higher hardness?

yes, minerals can only be scratched by other minerals with hardness equal or greater. thus this explains why a diamond can be cut and "polished" by dust or smaller diamonds


What lists the minerals in the correct order from softest to hardest?

The hardness of minerals is commonly ranked using the Mohs scale, which lists them in order from softest to hardest as follows: talc, gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase (feldspar), quartz, topaz, corundum, and diamond. Talc is the softest mineral, while diamond is the hardest. This scale helps in identifying minerals based on their resistance to scratching.


What test is most reliable for identifying pyrite and gold?

Mineralogists often use the physical properties of minerals to identify them. The most reliable test in order to identify a mineral is the test for hardness.


Are some tests better than others for identifying certain minerals?

Yes, you can usually identify the mineral salt by its taste. However, with most minerals one would apply a series of tests, eg hardness, flame test, colour, density, streak, shape in order to identify the mineral.


What are the ten minerals of themohs scale?

The basic Moh's hardness scale consists of: 1. Talc (softest) 2. Gypsum 3. Calcite 4. Fluorite 5. Apatite 6. Feldspar 7. Quartz 8. Topaz 9. Corundum 10. Diamond (hardest)


How is the Mohs scale of mineral hardness used?

The Mohs scale is used to aid in quick field identification of minerals, along with other techniques. Mohs based the scale on ten minerals that are all readily available. As the hardest known naturally occurring substance, diamond is at the top of the scale. The hardness of a material is measured against the scale by finding the hardest material that the given material can scratch, and/or the softest material that can scratch the given material. For example, if some material is scratched by apatite but not by fluorite, its hardness on the Mohs scale would fall between 4 and 5. Hardness Mineral 1 Talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) 2 Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) 3 Calcite (CaCO3) 4 Fluorite (CaF2) 5 Apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH-,Cl-,F-) 6 Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8) 7 Quartz (SiO2) 8 Topaz (Al2SiO4(OH-,F-)2) 9 Corundum (Al2O3) 10 Diamond (C)


What is the difference between vickers hardness test and brinell hardness test?

In Vickers hardness test the for used is much lighter than the force used in Rockwell hardness test, The Rockwell hardness test is the considered to be the most routinely used technique to measure the hardness of materials because of its simplicity and because it does not require specific skills in order to perform it.