Mohs scale of mineral hardness

The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a system that ranks minerals from 1 to 10 based on their ability to scratch one another. Talc is the softest at 1, while diamond is the hardest at 10. Each mineral can scratch those ranked below it, providing a relative measure of hardness. For instance, if a mineral can scratch quartz (rated at 7), it must be harder than quartz. This scale helps in identifying minerals and understanding their durability and resistance to scratching in various applications, such as jewelry and industry.