The Mohs Hardness Scale is a practical tool used to identify minerals by measuring their resistance to scratching. This is done by rubbing the unknown mineral against substances of known hardness from the scale. The chart includes key reference minerals and everyday items, such as a fingernail, a copper penny, or a steel nail, that can be used to estimate a mineral’s hardness.
This technique is particularly helpful for field identification, as it relies on simple, accessible tools. The scale is named after Friedrich Mohs, the German geologist and mineralogist who developed it.
