karldubya
starting to shine!
Member since March 2021
Posts: 32
|
Mohs Test
Jun 7, 2021 17:13:53 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by karldubya on Jun 7, 2021 17:13:53 GMT -5
I’m sure this has been discussed but search results were light.
I started my testing with my fingernail, then penny, then it gets tough…
First, sometimes it leaves a light mark (is this considered a scratch) just a tougher stone then one that scratches deep? Some even leave a mark but I can buff it out with my thumb.
Second, when moving to nail, knife, etc. wouldn’t it matter what it’s made of? Nails and screw I have in Iron, zinc, galvanized, stainless. I also went with a screwdriver that says stainless, is this Mohs 7. I don’t know steel. Same with knives, are most steel.
Either way this gets me four scales.
0-finger nail Finger nail - copper Copper - knife Above knife
Are those four groups okay to tumble together or should I further determine hardness from there? I saw a glass scratch test online? Or seperate by how easily my knife scratches?
Thanks
|
|
quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,237
|
Post by quartzilla on Jun 7, 2021 17:34:11 GMT -5
Well any of the softer materials are probably not going to take a good polish. Most members here seem to stay within the quartz family of stones: agates, jaspers, tigers eye, quartz crystal, etc. I’m a novice and haven’t much experience tumbling softer stuff; some of the harder stones are tricky already lol.
|
|
|
Post by stephan on Jun 7, 2021 22:56:06 GMT -5
One thing to remember that this scale is ordinal. The numbers don’t have a specific physical value. That said, steel is softer than 7.
Another thing to remember is not all marks are scratches. If you can buff it out, then , most likely, it was left by the item you were attempting to scratch with, meaning your rock was harder.
|
|