hardness scale

The hardness scale, often represented by the Mohs scale, measures a material's resistance to scratching and abrasion. It ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest (talc) and 10 the hardest (diamond). Each mineral on the scale can scratch those below it and can be scratched by those above it. For example, quartz (7) can scratch calcite (3) but not topaz (8). This scale helps identify and compare materials based on their durability and suitability for various applications, such as jewelry, tools, and construction.