Mohs hardness classification

The Mohs hardness scale is a system used to rank the hardness of various minerals based on their ability to scratch one another. Developed by mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in 1812, it ranges from 1 to 10, with talc at 1 (very soft) and diamond at 10 (extremely hard). Each mineral is compared to the ones next to it: for example, if a mineral can scratch another, it is considered harder. This scale helps identify minerals and understand their properties in geology, gemology, and materials science.