A collection of tools and materials designed to assess the relative scratch resistance of minerals and other substances. This set typically includes a series of minerals with known Mohs hardness values, ranging from talc (hardness of 1) to diamond (hardness of 10). These reference minerals are used to determine the hardness of an unknown sample by observing which reference mineral it can scratch, and which it can be scratched by.
The employment of this method offers a practical and cost-effective means of identifying minerals in the field, as well as determining the suitability of materials for various applications, from industrial processes to gem identification. This system, developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, provides a comparative measure rather than an absolute scale, facilitating a relative ranking of material hardness based on scratch resistance. Its simplicity and accessibility have made it a standard tool in geology, materials science, and education for over two centuries.