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

/ mōz /

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.

From New York Times

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.

From The Verge

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.

From New York Times

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

From Time

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.

From Forbes