GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The 10-point scale of mineral hardness. One the Mohs scale of relative hardness, a diamond is rated as 10. This means that it is the hardest mineral known to man. Only a mineral that is the same hardness grade can scratch the mineral.

Detailed explanation-2: -Minerals are assigned a number between 1 and 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale to describe how resistant to scratching they are. Diamonds are given the highest number, a 10. There is nothing that can scratch a diamond except another diamond. A mineral like talc, on the other hand, is a 1 on the scale.

Detailed explanation-3: -Diamonds (10) also show a variation in hardness (the octahedral faces are harder than the cube faces). For further information see articles from the American Mineralogist on microhardness, the Knoop tester, and diamonds. Mohs’ hardness is a measure of the relative hardness and resistance to scratching between minerals.

Detailed explanation-4: -As you can see, diamond is a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Diamond is the hardest mineral; no other mineral can scratch a diamond. Quartz is a 7. It can be scratched by topaz, corundum, and diamond.