Mohs scale

[mohz]

noun

1. a scale of hardness used in mineralogy. Its degrees, in increasing hardness, are: talc 1; gypsum 2; calcite 3; fluorite 4; apatite 5; feldspar 6; quartz 7; topaz 8; sapphire 9; diamond 10. MSH

Mohs scale

/ məʊz /

noun

1. a scale for expressing the hardness of solids by comparing them with ten standards ranging from talc, with a value of 1, to diamond, with a value of 10

Mohs scale

1. A scale used to measure the relative hardness of a mineral by its resistance to scratching. From softest to hardest, the ten minerals of the Mohs scale are talc (measuring 1 on the scale), gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase, quartz, topaz, corundum, and diamond (measuring 10 on the scale).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mohs scale¹

1875–80; named after F. Mohs (1773–1839), German mineralogist

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mohs scale¹

C19: named after Friedrich Mohs (1773–1839), German mineralogist

Example Sentences

It’s unlikely there’s even a Mohs scale value for the hardness of heart it would take to remain unmoved by the film, but there is one disingenuous aspect.

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It earned similar marks to Corning’s glass on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, though your car keys will likely still find a way to create little scratches.

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Diamonds are not indestructible, but they are the hardest substances known, given the top score of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness — that is, resistance to scratching.

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Their incisors rank at 5.5 on the Mohs scale, which geologists use to measure minerals’ hardness; for comparison, iron scores around 5.0.

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But nevertheless, GT built a facility that could ultimately produce enough sapphire for north of 100 million iPhones, yet not a single one uses the second-hardest material on the Mohs scale.

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