How to Identify Minerals: 10 Steps to Mineral Identification
By Andrew Alden, About.com Guide
Step 3: Hardness
The Mohs scale is low-tech but time-tested.
Photo (c) 2011 Andrew Alden, licensed to About.com (fair use policy)
Use the 10-point Mohs hardness scale. The important hardnesses are between 2 and 7. For this you'll need your fingernail (hardness about 2), a coin (hardness 3), a knife or nail (hardness 5.5) and a few key minerals. (Learn more about the Mohs scale)
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