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The Mohs Scale of Hardness including Birthstones

Birthstones and anniversary gemstones come in differing hardness and this is measured using the Mohs Scale of hardness. We have listed each gemstone next to its relevant hardness.

When choosing a gift with a gemstone make sure it will withstand the wear and tear that it is likely to receive. The softer the gemstone the more likely it is to be damaged. This should not stop you buying things like pearls. The person receiving the gift should be aware that the stone may be damaged by perfume and certain body creams. Gold, silver and platinum may also be discolored by creams.

Mohs Scale Of Hardness

Hardness	Damaged by
1. Talc	crushable with finger nails
2. Gypsum	can be scored with finger nail
3. Calcite, Pearl	scored with iron nail
4. Fluorite	scored with glass
5. Apatite	scored with a penknife
6. Orthoclase feldspar, Opal	scored with quartz
6.5 Peridot	scored with a file or special steel
7. Quartz, Amethyst, Garnet	scored with a file or special steel
7.5 Aquamarine, Emerald	only scored by corundum or diamonds
8. Topaz	only scored by corundum or diamonds
9. Corundum, Ruby or Sapphire	only scored by a diamond
10. Diamond	only scored by another diamond

The table shows the Scale of Hardness. It was designed in 1812 by Frederich Mohs, a German mineralogist. Frederich Mohs selected the ten minerals that were common or more readily available back then. This is an arbitrary scale, with very irregular intervals.

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Birthstone Gifts by Month

◦	January - Garnet
◦	February - Amethyst
◦	March - Bloodstone
◦	March - Aquamarine
◦	April - Diamond
◦	May - Emerald
◦	June - Alexandrite
◦	July - Ruby
◦	August - Peridot
◦	September - Sapphire
◦	October - Opal
◦	November - Topaz
◦	December - Light Sapphire
◦	December - Blue Topaz

Star Sign Birthstones

◦	Aries - Bloodstone
◦	Taurus - Sapphire
◦	Gemini - Agate
◦	Cancer - Emerald
◦	Leo - Onyx
◦	Libra - Peridot
◦	Libra - Aventurine
◦	Virgo - Carnelian
◦	Scorpio - Beryl
◦	Sagittarius - Topaz
◦	Capricorn - Ruby
◦	Aquarius - Garnet
◦	Pisces - Amethyst

Celtic Birthstones

◦	Celtic Birthstone Topaz
◦	Celtic Birthstone Ruby
◦	Celtic Birthstone Amethyst
◦	Celtic Birthstone Coral
◦	Celtic birthstone diamond
◦	Celtic birthstone emerald
◦	Celtic Birthstone Jasper
◦	Celtic Birthstone Lapis Lazuli
◦	Celtic Birthstone Moonstone
◦	Celtic Birthstone Opal
◦	Celtic Birthstone Peridot
◦	Celtic Birthstone Red Carnelian
◦	Celtic Birthstone Rock Crystal

Your Chinese Birth Year

Chinese Birthstones

◦	Year of the Dog - Ruby
◦	Year of the Tiger - Ruby
◦	Year of the Rat - Emerald
◦	Year of the Rabbit - Sapphire
◦	Year of the Ox - Lapis Lazuli
◦	Year of the Pig - Moonstone
◦	Year of the Snake - Opal
◦	Year of the Dog - Ruby
◦	Year of the Goat - Sapphire
◦	Year of the Monkey - Tigers Eye
◦	Year of the Horse - Topaz
◦	Year of the Rooster - Topaz

Gifts By Month

◦	January Gifts
◦	February Gifts
◦	March Gifts
◦	April Gifts
◦	May Gifts
◦	June Gifts
◦	July Gifts
◦	August Gifts
◦	September Gifts
◦	October Gifts
◦	November Gifts
◦	December Gifts

Halloween Gifts

◦	Halloween Party Costumes
◦	Halloween Party Food Gifts
◦	Pumpkin Carving
◦	Halloween Gift Ideas
◦	Halloween Pumpkin Pinata Instructions

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