What is the hardness of quartz on the Mohs scale?

The hardness of quartz on the Mohs scale is 7. The Mohs scale is a system used to rank minerals based on their ability to scratch one another, and it ranges from 1 (the softest, talc) to 10 (the hardest, diamond). Quartz, being a common mineral composed of silicon dioxide, is relatively hard and resistant to scratches, which is why it ranks at 7. This property makes quartz suitable for a variety of applications, including in jewelry and as an industrial material.

Understanding the Mohs scale allows for the identification and classification of minerals in geology and related fields. For example, many other minerals can be compared directly to quartz based on their hardness, enriching the knowledge of how different materials behave in nature.