INI

Gemstone Varieties and Hardness - INI

Gemstone varieties and hardness are important indicators for jewelry selection and storage. The Mohs hardness scale, introduced by Friedrich Mohs in 1822, measures mineral hardness on a scale from 1 to 10. Diamond (hardness 10) is the hardest, followed by ruby and sapphire (hardness 9). Understanding the hardness of various gemstones such as emerald (hardness 7.5-8) and amethyst (hardness 7) helps determine appropriate handling methods and suitability for daily wear. In addition to hardness, toughness (resistance to breaking) and stability are also important factors.

gemstone Mohs hardness diamond ruby sapphire emerald amethyst jewelry mineral

[item.diamond]
code=10
slug=diamond
name=Diamond
description=The hardest natural substance on Earth. Vickers hardness of 7,000-8,500, approximately 4 times harder than corundum.
birthstone_en=April
birthstone_ja=4月
birthstone_month=4
mineralGroup=Diamond

[item.ruby]
code=9
slug=ruby
name=Ruby
description=A variety of corundum that appears red due to chromium content. Has a hardness of 9, second only to diamond.
birthstone_en=July
birthstone_ja=7月
birthstone_month=7
mineralGroup=Corundum

[item.sapphire]
code=9
slug=sapphire
name=Sapphire
description=A variety of corundum that appears blue due to iron and titanium content. Has the same hardness of 9 as ruby.
birthstone_en=September
birthstone_ja=9月
birthstone_month=9
mineralGroup=Corundum

[item.emerald]
code=7.5-8
slug=emerald
name=Emerald
description=A variety of beryl that appears green due to chromium and vanadium content. Hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8.
birthstone_en=May
birthstone_ja=5月
birthstone_month=5
mineralGroup=Beryl

[item.amethyst]
code=7
slug=amethyst
name=Amethyst
description=A variety of quartz that appears purple due to trace iron content. Also known as purple crystal.
birthstone_en=February
birthstone_ja=2月
birthstone_month=2
mineralGroup=Quartz

[item.topaz]
code=8
slug=topaz
name=Topaz
description=A silicate mineral containing aluminum and fluorine. Imperial topaz is a valuable yellow to orange gemstone.
birthstone_en=November
birthstone_ja=11月
birthstone_month=11
mineralGroup=Topaz

[item.aquamarine]
code=7
slug=aquamarine
name=Aquamarine
description=A variety of beryl that appears aqua to blue due to iron content. Same mineral group as emerald.
birthstone_en=March
birthstone_ja=3月
birthstone_month=3
mineralGroup=Beryl

[item.garnet]
code=6.5-7.5
slug=garnet
name=Garnet
description=A group of silicate minerals with various colored varieties including pyrope, almandine, and spessartine.
birthstone_en=January
birthstone_ja=1月
birthstone_month=1
mineralGroup=Garnet

[item.jade]
code=7
slug=jade
name=Jade
description=Two types exist: jadeite and nephrite. One of the most revered gemstones in Japan since ancient times.
birthstone_en=May
birthstone_ja=5月
birthstone_month=5
mineralGroup=Pyroxene (jadeite) or Amphibole (nephrite)

[item.peridot]
code=6.5-7
slug=peridot
name=Peridot
description=Gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. Characterized by vivid yellow-green to olive green color.
birthstone_en=August
birthstone_ja=8月
birthstone_month=8
mineralGroup=Olivine