What Are The Top 3 Hardest Gemstones?
What Are The Top 3 Hardest Gemstones? You’re about to embark on a fascinating adventure into the world of gemstones! In this article, you’ll learn about the top three hardest gemstones known to humankind. The value of a gemstone is often determined by its hardness, and in this case, the harder the better! From beautiful diamonds to sparkling rubies and solid sapphires, each gemstone boasts unique characteristics as well as stunning hues. Be prepared to be amazed as we explore these resilient and extraordinary natural wonders together.
Understanding Gemstone Hardness
Defining hardness in gemstones
Gemstone hardness refers to the ability of a particular mineral to resist scratching. When you think of a gemstone’s hardness, understand that it’s about the mineral’s resistance to abrasion or scratching and not about its toughness or resistance to breaking. Different gemstones display different levels of hardness depending on their inherent geochemical structures.
How hardness in a gemstone is measured
The hardness of a gemstone is measured using the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. Developed in 1812 by Friedrich Mohs, this scale is a comparative tool, rating hardness by observing whether a substance can scratch another. It follows a series, from talc (rated 1, the softest) to diamond (rated 10, the hardest).
The importance of hardness in gemstones
You might wonder why hardness matters when it comes to gemstones. Simply put, it greatly affects a gemstone’s durability and usefulness in different applications like jewelry. The harder the gemstone, the less likely it is to get scratched or damaged, adding to its overall functionality and longevity.
Mohs Scale of Hardness
Introduction to Mohs scale
The Mohs scale was invented by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs. This tool assists in identifying minerals based on their hardness, measured by their scratch resistance. Ten readily available reference minerals, ranging from talc (softest) to diamond (hardest), make up the scale.
How Mohs scale works
Each mineral in the Mohs scale can scratch those below it and, in turn, can get scratched by those above it. If a mineral scratches another, it’s judged to be harder. For example, if a gemstone scratches glass (hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale), but gets scratched by quartz (hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale), it can be inferred to have a hardness between 5 and 7.
Limitations of Mohs scale
As useful as the scale is, it does come with some limitations. It’s not a linear but an ordinal scale – the increase in hardness between levels isn’t consistent, with the jump from 9 (corundum) to 10 (diamond) being much larger than from 1 (talc) to 2 (gypsum).
Profile of Diamond: The Hardest Gemstone
General characteristics of diamond
Diamonds, known for their sparkling allure, are unquestionably the hardest gemstones on earth. They’re crystals of pure carbon, formed under high pressure and temperature conditions deep within the earth over billions of years.
Understanding the hardness of diamond
Diamonds sit at a lofty 10 on the Mohs scale, making them four times harder than the next mineral, corundum. Their rigid crystal structure and carbon atom bonding contribute to this immense hardness, allowing them to withstand scratches from any other gemstone.
Usage of diamonds in various industries
Diamonds aren’t just used for jewelry. Their extreme hardness and thermal conductivity also make them ideal for industrial applications, such as cutting, grinding, and drilling. Some of them are also used in specialized windows and in speakers for their sound quality.
Uses and Maintenance of Diamond Jewelry
Common uses of diamond in jewelry
The high luster, brilliance, and fire of diamonds make them universally treasured in jewelry. From engagement rings to pendants, earrings to bracelets, diamonds beautify various forms of jewelry with their sparkling appeal.
How to take care of diamond jewelry
Despite diamonds’ remarkable hardness, they can still get dirty or grimy. Regular cleaning with a soft brush and mild soapy water helps maintain their sparkle. Also remember to store them separately from other gemstones to avoid damage from possible scratching. Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips Showcase Rare Colored Diamonds in Recent Jewelry Auctions
Diamond jewelry buying guide
When shopping for diamond jewelry, consider the Four Cs: Carat (weight), Color, Clarity, and Cut. Also, buy from reputable dealers and seek certificates of authenticity to ensure your diamond is genuine and ethically sourced.
Profile of Corundum: The Second Hardest Gemstone
General characteristics of corundum
Corundum, known best for its vibrant varieties ruby and sapphire, is the second hardest mineral on the Mohs scale, following diamond. Made up of aluminum oxide, corundum occurs transparent or translucent as well as in various colors depending on the presence of trace elements.
Understanding the hardness of corundum
Ranking 9 on the Mohs scale, corundum exhibits a strong resistance to scratching. Its tightly packed structure and robust chemical bonds add to its high hardness. While considerably softer than diamonds, corundum’s hardness still makes it an excellent choice for all types of jewelry.
Different varieties of corundum – Ruby and Sapphire
Two renowned varieties of corundum are ruby and sapphire. Ruby is prized for its deep-red hue, while Sapphire comes in all colors except red and is most popular in its blue form.
Uses and Maintenance of Corundum (Ruby and Sapphire) Jewelry
Common uses of ruby and sapphire in jewelry
Rubies and sapphires are used extensively in jewelry designs due to their luster, rarity, color variety, and hardness. You can find them embellishing items such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
How to take care of corundum jewelry
Caring for corundum-based jewelry involves regular cleaning with a soft brush and mild soap. When storing, keep pieces separately to avoid contact scratches and ensure they remain in optimal condition.
Ruby and Sapphire jewelry buying guide
Look for rich colors, good transparency, and minimal inclusions while buying rubies or sapphires. Ensure they’ve been treated ethically and always request authenticity certificates. It’s also beneficial to understand that the two can have different price tags due to their color popularity and availability.
Profile of Chrysoberyl: The Third Hardest Gemstone
General characteristics of chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl, another impressively hard gemstone, is the third hardest mineral known to humankind. It is a beryllium-aluminum oxide mineral that can appear in several colors, such as green, yellow, and brown.
Understanding the hardness of chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl has a hardness rating of 8.5 on the Mohs scale. Its crystal structure, unique atomic bonding, and small crystal size contribute to its high hardness, allowing it to resist scratching from most other minerals.
Chrysoberyl varieties – Alexandrite and Cat’s Eye
Chrysoberyl has intriguing varieties like Alexandrite, known for its color-changing properties, and Cat’s Eye, recognized for its remarkable chatoyancy, a unique visual effect appearing like a slitted cat’s eye.
Uses and Maintenance of Chrysoberyl (Alexandrite and Cat’s Eye) Jewelry
Common uses of Alexandrite and Cat’s Eye in jewelry
Alexandrite and Cat’s Eye are used in various jewelry applications. Alexandrite, with its unique color change from green in daylight to red under incandescent light, and Cat’s Eye, with its unique optical effect, both make stunning centerpieces for rings, pendants, and brooches. https://www.aigsthailand.com/
How to take care of chrysoberyl jewelry
Maintain the charm of Alexandrite or Cat’s Eye artifacts by gently cleaning them with mild soapy water and a soft brush. When not in use, store your chrysoberyl jewelry individually to prevent scratches or damages from other jewelries.
Alexandrite and Cat’s Eye jewelry buying guide
When you’re out to purchase chrysoberyl jewelry, ensure to assess the stone’s color, clarity, and cut. Take note of the phenomenon – the color change in Alexandrite or the eye effect in Cat’s Eye – as this significantly impacts the gemstone’s value.
Comparing Diamond, Corundum, and Chrysoberyl
Comparing the hardness
All three gemstones – diamond, corundum, and chrysoberyl – earn top spots on the Mohs scale. However, diamond’s superior hardness makes it the most resilient to scratches, followed by corundum and then chrysoberyl.
Comparing the uses in jewelry
Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, Alexandrite, and Cat’s are all esteemed in the realm of jewelry for their unique qualities and characteristics. The diversity in color, luster, and optical properties across these gemstones allows for a wide variety of jewelry designs and styles.
Comparing the maintenance and care
While the hardness varies, maintenance for all three gem-types involves regular, mild cleaning to retain their allure. Protection from harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and separate storage is also crucial to prevent damage or surface scratches.
Alternative Hard Gemstones
Other hard gemstones worth considering
While diamond, corundum, and chrysoberyl are well-known for their hardness, other geologically impressive gemstones like spinel, garnet, and topaz are worthy of consideration. These gems offer plenty of color variety and optical features, increasing their appeal in jewelry.
Profiles of topaz, garnet and spinel
Topaz, with a Mohs hardness of 8, is appreciated for its wide color range and brilliance. Garnet, rating from 6-7.5 in hardness, is most recognized for its deep red color but comes in other hues too. Spinel, notable for its intense colors and a hardness of 8, is on-par with topaz and often mistaken for ruby or sapphire.
How these gemstones compare to the top 3
Although softer than diamond, corundum, and chrysoberyl, these alternative gemstones still possess sufficient hardness for various jewelry applications. They provide affordable alternatives without compromising durability, letting you diversify your gemstone collection without breaking the bank.
