kovuusasteikon

Kovuusasteikko, often translated as hardness scale, is a system used to rank and compare the scratch resistance of minerals. The most widely recognized hardness scale is the Mohs scale, developed by German geologist Friedrich Mohs in 1812. It consists of ten reference minerals, each assigned a number from 1 to 10, representing increasing hardness.

A mineral with a higher Mohs hardness number can scratch a mineral with a lower number, but not vice versa. For example, a diamond (hardness 10) can scratch any other mineral on the scale, while talc (hardness 1) is the softest mineral and can be scratched by a fingernail. The scale is not linear; the difference in hardness between consecutive numbers increases as the numbers get higher. For instance, the difference between diamond and corundum (hardness 9) is much greater than the difference between talc and gypsum (hardness 2).

The Mohs scale is a practical tool for mineral identification in the field and laboratory. Geologists and gemologists use it to determine the relative hardness of unknown samples. While it doesn't provide precise quantitative measurements of hardness, it offers a reliable and easily applicable method for distinguishing between different minerals based on their resistance to abrasion. Other hardness scales exist, such as the Vickers and Rockwell scales, which provide more precise quantitative measurements, but the Mohs scale remains popular due to its simplicity and historical significance.