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No. Gypsum has a hardness on the Mohs scale of 2. Topaz has a hardness on the Mohs scale of 8. This means that topaz ranks much harder than gypsum and that gypsum cannot scratch topaz. Please do not refer to these numbers as absolute hardness. This does not mean that topaz is 4 times as hard as gypsum since they are ranked 8 and 2. The Mohs scale only designates a hardness scale of 1 through 10 so that geologists and mineralogists in the field have a quick way of determining a mineral's identity or eliminating possible options of what the mineral may be.

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Related Questions

Does graphite scratch gypsum?

Yes, graphite is harder than gypsum, so it can scratch gypsum.


What mineral that can scratch gypsum but cant scratch calcite?

Between 2 and 3 because its hard enough gypsum but it can not scratch calcite because calcite is harder


Can Gypsum can scratch diamond?

No, gypsum cannot scratch diamond. Diamond is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale with a rating of 10, while gypsum is much softer with a rating of 2, which means diamond is able to scratch gypsum but not the other way around.


What mineral can halite scratch?

Halite can scratch gypsum.


Can gypsum scratch diamond?

No.


What mineral is harder than gypsum but softer than flourite?

Calcite is a mineral that is harder than gypsum but softer than fluorite on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Calcite has a hardness of 3, while gypsum has a hardness of 2 and fluorite has a hardness of 4.


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.


Is gypsum easier to scratch than calcite?

yes its softer


What can scratch gypsum but can be scratched by all other minerals?

Talc can scratch gypsum, but can be scratched by all other minerals. Talc is the softest mineral on the Mohs scale, with a hardness of 1, making it easily scratched by minerals with higher hardness values. Gypsum has a Mohs hardness of 2, so talc can leave a mark on it.


How do you test for Gypsum?

One way to test for gypsum is to perform a scratch test - gypsum is softer than a steel nail, so you can scratch it with a nail. Another method is to use a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid - if gypsum is present, it will react and produce effervescence. Finally, you could also use X-ray diffraction analysis to identify the specific crystal structure of gypsum.


Fluorite can scratch which minerals?

Fluorite has a hardness of 4 out of 10 and can scratch gypsum, talc and anything less than 4.


Is flourite a mineral?

flourite is a mineral