Just How Tough Are Gems?

Gems can be classified by a number which is a measure of their hardness. The scale of hardness is called the "Mohs" Scale. The scale is numbered from 1 to 10, and classifies gems and minerals based on the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material. Although the scale dates to 1812 when German geologist Friedrich Mohs created it, the comparison of minerals by the ability to scratch one another dates back to ancient times as far as 300 BC.


Although the Mohs scale is delineated by one digit for each hardness step, the absolute hardness is more like the Richter scale used to compare earthquakes. This is also known as a logarithmic scale. 
A 4.0 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale is 10 times stronger than a 3.0 magnitude earthquake. 



Some common items you encounter daily are a fingernail, which is approx. 2.5 hardness on the Mohs scale. A copper penny is 3.0 hardness.

Almost all gemstones used in jewelry measure between 6 to 10 hardness. It had always been that way until around 1985 when home shopping on TV started. A number of networks started selling softer stones for jewelry stating that these gems were "so rare that you can’t find it in jewelry stores". 
Well, I thought that was partially right. You cant find those stones in jewelry stores because store owners wouldn’t carry them because they are too soft and would scratch easily, thus you would have unhappy clients!

The softer stones are usually not rare. They are cut and used for specimens that are put on a stand for display.
Featured Item
14kyg Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail RingAquamarine: (1) = 25.00ctsDiamonds: (8)= .16ct tw 

Gem Quiz 1:
Each newsletter we will feature clues about a specific gemstone. Submit your guess here! The participant with the most correct answers by December 2018 wins a diamond!
You must submit your answer by 11/29!
This stone is translucent to transparent, a yellow to an orange color or a combination of the two. It is soft and light and will float in salt water. At one time its value rivaled what gold is today. The major supply area was the Mediterranean and Baltic regions. The ancient Greeks believed that when the sun went down in the evening, it broke up and floated to the beaches where this stone could be found. What stone am I?

LaLonde Jewelers & Gemologists
91 Kercheval Avenue
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
(313) 881-6400