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Anyone who has ever invested in a shiny new piece of jewelry might know of the Mohs Scale. This scale is not to be taken lightly. The scale was introduced to the world by a German geologist named Friedrich Mohs. The scale is used to rank the hardness of different materials. It ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 being equivalent to the hardness of a diamond.
The only thing that can scratch a precious diamond is another diamond. Pretty cool. Without the guidance of the Mohs Scale, we’d have a ton of folks dropping money left and right on a beautiful piece of jewelry, only to end up scratching their shiny new possessions when they came into contact with other pieces of jewelry that were higher on the Mohs Scale.
The Mohs scale measures durability.
The Mohs Scale is important when it comes to ensuring the peaceful coexistence of various pieces of jewelry in a jewelry box. If we were to put an engagement ring that ranked lower on the Mohs Scale next to a necklace, we’d run the risk of scratching that nice ring. Nobody wants that. So, the Mohs Scale serves to help us avoid these unwanted occurrences. Not only does the scale help us arrange jewelry boxes in a way that promotes the well being of each piece of jewelry, but it also can help us as buyers determine which pieces we want to get based on durability alone.
What does gemstone durability really mean?
Gemstone durability accounts for the gemstone’s hardness, toughness, and stability. The hardness of a gemstone will directly impact how well the stone in that piece of jewelry fares under different temperatures, light variations, and its resistance to scratches and abrasions. Naturally, one would be advised to aim for the gemstones that rank higher on the Mohs Scale if they’re looking for a worthwhile long-term investment.
The Moh’s Scale is not linear.
It’s crucial to remember that the Mohs Scale does not operate on a linear model. This means that while a diamond and a sapphire are only one unit apart on the Mohs Scale, the diamond is four times harder than the sapphire. So, that being considered, one would run a high risk of scratching their beautiful piece of sapphire jewelry if it ever found a diamond as its neighbor.
The Best Stones for Engagement Rings
The great divide between the worlds of soft and hard stones occurs right at seven on the Mohs Scale. Gemstones packing a rating of seven are considered great options for rings, and then the gemstones with ratings of eight or higher are winning picks for engagement rings. Some examples of gemstones that are rated eight or higher are diamonds, moissanite, and those arrestingly gorgeous sapphires. Of course, diamonds are the cream of the crop when it comes to purchasing that engagement ring that will stand the test of time, just like the love one’s been so lucky to discover! With that being said, where should consumers go to lock down that perfect addition to their jewelry box?
Nelson Coleman Jewelers
The Nelson Coleman Family provides the kind of excellent customer service that makes it a true diamond in the rough, in terms of jewelry stores in Baltimore. The Nelson Coleman Family has been in operation for over 100 years and is the 10th oldest jewelry store in the United States. They offer the kinds of beautiful engagement rings and sterling silver wedding bands that could throw anyone with a healthy bank account into a fever of burning desire. Of the 182 reviews listed on their site, they rock an average of 4.9/5 stars. If that doesn’t scream stellar customer service, we don’t know what does.
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