What the Mohs scale actually tells you
The Mohs scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest, like talc) to 10 (hardest, diamond) by scratch resistance. It is relative, not linear: a higher number simply means the stone can scratch anything below it and resists being scratched by it. For jewellery the useful threshold is around 7 - the hardness of everyday dust and grit. Stones at 7 and above shrug off daily knocks; softer ones gradually lose their polish.
The everyday champions (Mohs 7 and above)
These take daily wear in their stride - ideal for bracelets you never take off and for rings, which get the most knocks:
- The quartz family (7): amethyst, clear quartz, rose quartz, citrine, smoky quartz, tiger's eye, agate, jasper, carnelian and aventurine. Hard, affordable and available in every colour.
- Tougher still: aquamarine (7.5-8), garnet (7-7.5) and black tourmaline (7-7.5).
If you want one safe rule for a daily bracelet or a ring, choose a quartz-family stone. For help picking by metal, size and style, see our crystal jewellery guide.
The middle ground (Mohs 5-6)
Beautiful but a little softer - perfect for necklaces and earrings, which take less impact than rings, and fine for occasional bracelets if you treat them gently: lapis lazuli, turquoise, moonstone, opal, sodalite and apatite. Keep these drier and store them away from harder stones.
The delicate ones (below Mohs 5)
Fluorite (4), malachite (3.5-4), angelite (3.5) and selenite (2) are gorgeous but scratch and chip easily. Wear them as pendants, earrings or occasional pieces, never in a daily ring, and store each one separately. See which can touch water at all in our water-safe crystals guide.
One styling rule that saves your stones
Don't stack a hard stone next to a soft one on the same wrist - the harder beads will scratch the softer ones as they rub. Keep a "soft" bracelet (malachite, fluorite) on its own, or pair it only with similar-hardness stones.
Shop everyday-durable crystals at Crystals Healing UK
Quartz-family stones built for daily wear. Free UK delivery over £30.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear amethyst every day?
Yes. Amethyst is Mohs 7 and hard-wearing - just keep it out of long, strong sunlight to protect the colour.
Is fluorite ok for a bracelet?
Only for occasional, gentle wear. At Mohs 4 it scratches easily, so it's better as a pendant or a "special occasion" piece, stored separately.
Does a high hardness mean unbreakable?
No. Hardness is scratch resistance; toughness is resistance to chipping or breaking. A hard stone can still chip on a sharp knock, so treat all jewellery with care.
Which is the toughest stone you stock for daily wear?
Aquamarine and black tourmaline are among the hardest, but the everyday all-rounders are the quartz family - amethyst, clear quartz, tiger's eye and agate.
