How Hard Is Too Hard?
When you are shopping for fine Hawaiian jewelry at Na Hoku it is easy to fall in love with the sparkle. But there is more to consider than just beauty. How and where you wear your jewelry can affect how well it holds up over time. Are you looking for something you can wear everyday or a piece that is reserved for special occasions? That is where the Mohs hardness scale can be a helpful guide to understand how resistant a gemstone is to everyday wear and tear. Knowing a gemstone’s hardness can help you choose jewelry that fits your lifestyle –and stays looking its best with the right care.
Developed in 1812 by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs, the Mohs scale ranks gemstones from softest (1) to hardest (10). It is a simple but powerful tool for classifying how well a gemstone will resist scratches. Harder gemstones are better for everyday pieces, like rings and bracelets, while softer gemstones are well-suited to special pieces that are only worn occasionally.
Ready to dive deeper? Join Na Hoku to take a closer look at the Mohs scale of hardness and what it means for your favorite Hawaiian slipper jewelry and other island-inspired styles.
The Mohs Scale, Island Style
Picture the Mohs scale as a beach path. Soft talc (1) is like powdery white sand, while diamond (10) is like the lava rock cliffs of the Big Island. Most popular beaches — and gemstones — fall somewhere in between.
- 1–3 (Soft Stones): These include talc, gypsum, and calcite. While rarely used in jewelry because they are so soft, these gemstones can be found in ornamental carvings and home decor. These materials are best for decorative use and are not ideal for rings or bracelets that see daily wear.
- 4–6 (Moderate Durability): Think of fluorite or moonstone. Medium durability gemstones shine and may have a unique color, but they still need gentle handling to avoid damage. The moderate durability category includes favorites like opal (~5.5-6.5) or turquoise (~5-6). Gemstones in this category are most suitable for earrings or pendants where they are less likely to come in contact with hard surfaces. When set in rings or bracelets, we recommend wearing them with a little extra care.
- 7–10 (High Durability): Quartz (7), topaz (8), sapphire (9), and diamond (10) are some of the hardest gemstones and should be on your list of go-tos for daily wear. Diamonds may be forever, but so are topaz and sapphire when it comes to resisting scratches.
Understanding a stone’s Mohs hardness can help you decide where to wear it and whether or not the piece is something you would like to invest in. For example, a diamond engagement ring is a smart choice because it is unlikely to scratch or wear down, even with constant, daily use. A moonstone engagement ring would still be beautiful, but would not be nearly as practical for everyday wear.
Live Aloha
In Hawaiian culture, jewelry is more than an accessory, it is a chance to express your connection to heritage, nature, and meaning. Whether you are drawn to the vibrant green of peridot, the ocean hues of aquamarine or the red-hot fiery color of a ruby, knowing a stone’s hardness ensures your favorite jewelry pieces will remain vibrant for generations.
When you browse Na Hoku’s collections, you are not just investing in beauty, you are investing in craftsmanship designed to last. Our jewelers thoughtfully select gemstones with durability in mind, so your favorite island memories can live on in wearable form.
Let the Mohs hardness scale guide you in your search for the perfect Hawaiian jewelry When you know how hard is too hard – or not hard enough – you are empowered to choose pieces that will stand up to your lifestyle.