If you have considered using natural stone for any type of home improvement, then you may have been surprised at how many different options there are. There are various stones, colors, and surface textures from which you can choose your own unique selections. One of the other things people discover when they first start researching stone is that there is a measurement of hardness scale which shows how strong or weak a stone is.

The scale is useful because it can help determine what type of care and maintenance will be necessary for certain types of natural stones. The “weaker” or more porous the stone, the more important it is to regularly maintain it. Stronger stones need less long-term maintenance, however no natural stone is free of maintenance.

Measurement Of Hardness Scale (MOHS)

10 – Diamond

9 – Corundum

8 – Topaz

7 – Quartz

6 – Feldspar

5 – Apatite

4 – Fluorite

3 – Calcite

2 – Gypsum

1 – Talc

First developed in the 1800s, the measurement of hardness scale is a list of minerals. Stones are composed of various types of minerals and most have a “hardness” rate that is represented by the MOHS. Certain well-known and commonly used natural stones are made of the minerals in this list. For example, you can see how the strength of the two popular natural stones listed below is represented by the MOH scale.

• Granite – This is the strongest of all the natural stones. It is composed of feldspar and quartz, so it would have a 6 or 7 rate on the measurement of hardness scale. Being higher up on the scale means that the rock is less porous, therefore less likely to stain and chip. It needs less maintenance but must be cared for properly.
• Marble – Marble is known for having a beautiful, traditional “old world” look. It is also said to look “soft,” and it actually is a softer stone. Marble is mostly composed of calcite, so it typically has about a 3 rate on the MOHS. Since it is a more porous stone and generally comes in a limited number of lighter colors, there is a higher danger that the stone will get stained. This is why it must be properly sealed.

Understanding the measurement of hardness scale is useful when searching for natural stones. Now, if you see a rock label that says “hardness 2.5” you will understand what the number means. Here is another interesting note: stones with a lower MOHS rate cannot scratch stones with a rate that is higher than there own. And, being at the top of the list, diamonds cannot be scratched by another other material.