Marble On The Hardness Scale

The mohs scale of mineral hardness m oʊ z is a qualitative ordinal scale characterizing scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material.

Marble on the hardness scale. Marble has a mohs hardness scale rating between 3 4. Being composed of calcite marble has a hardness of three on the mohs hardness scale. As a result marble is easy to carve and that makes it useful for producing sculptures and ornamental objects. An example of the hardness of a granite countertop can be seen in the fact that a knife blade will not scratch the surface.

Hardness is determined by the ability of one mineral to scratch another. Granite on the mohs scale. The translucence of marble makes it especially attractive for many types of sculptures. Because granite is between a 6 and 7 on the mohs scale it would be able to scratch other types of stone that have lower ratings such as marble.

When black granite is measured on the mohs scale it falls somewhere between 6 and 7. On average it is 6 5. This means that marble is less scratch resistant than granite. Created in 1812 by german geologist and mineralogist friedrich mohs it is one of several definitions of hardness in materials science some of which are more quantitative.

For example a diamond can scratch granite while granite can scratch marble. It can also be used for metal. Marble is limestone that has been compacted and heated over millions of years. Depending on the limestone and the mineral combination within the marble most marble rates from three to five on the mohs hardness scale.