Marble On The Hardness Scale

It can also be used for metal.

Marble on the hardness scale.

On average it is 6 5. Granite on the mohs scale. This means that marble is less scratch resistant than granite. Hardness is determined by the ability of one mineral to scratch another.

An example of the hardness of a granite countertop can be seen in the fact that a knife blade will not scratch the surface. For example a diamond can scratch granite while granite can scratch marble. Being composed of calcite marble has a hardness of three on the mohs hardness scale. In simple words soapstone is the softest material and diamond is the hardest material.

Created in 1812 by german geologist and mineralogist friedrich mohs it is one of several definitions of hardness in materials science some of which are more quantitative. Marble has a mohs hardness scale rating between 3 4. If you check granite hardness on the mohs scale you will find it harder than marble and softer than quartzite. As a result marble is less porous and slightly stronger than limestone but still less durable than granite.

Depending on the limestone and the mineral combination within the marble most marble rates from three to five on the mohs hardness scale. The translucence of marble makes it especially attractive for many types of sculptures. When black granite is measured on the mohs scale it falls somewhere between 6 and 7. As a result marble is easy to carve and that makes it useful for producing sculptures and ornamental objects.