GEMSTONE – BIRTHSTONES

WHERE FROM

HARDNESS

Garnet

Bohemia, Czechoslovakia

6 ½ – 7 ½

Amethyst

Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia

7

Aquamarine

Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique

7 – 8

Diamond

Antwerp, Belgium

10

Emerald

Columbia, Zambia, Brazil

7-8

Alexandrite

Brazil, Sri-Lanka

8 ½

Ruby

Burma, Thailand, Cambodia

9

Peridot

Egypt, Pakistan, Arizona

6 ½ – 7

Sapphire

Kashmir, Burma, Sri-Lanka

9

Pink Tourmaline

Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan

7 – 7 ½

Topaz

Brazil, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka

8

Blue Zircon

Cambodia, Thailand, Sri-Lanka

6 – 7 ½

GEMSTONE – OTHERS

WHERE FROM

HARDNESS

Agate: Drusy, Bloodstone, Onyx

Brazil, Madagascar, India

6 – 7

Hauynite

Germany

6

Iolite

India, Sri-Lanka, Tanzania, Brazil

7 – 7 ½

Jade

Burma,Taiwan, Brit. Columbia, Australia

6 – 6 ½

Kunzite

California

6 ½ – 7

Kyanite

Nepal

5 – 7

Lapis Lazuli

N. E. Afghanistan, Chile

Liddicoatite (Tourmaline)

Madagascar

Malachite

Zaire, Russia, Zambia

Moonstone

Sri-Lanka, Burma, India

6 – 6 ½

Opal

Australia, Mexico, Brazil

5 ½ – 6 ½

Rhodochrosite

Argentina

3 – 4

Scapolite

Burma, Brazil, Sri-Lanka

5 ½ – 6

Sphalerite

Santander, Spain

3 ½ – 4

Sphene (Titanite)

Brazil

5 – 5 ½

Spinel

Burma, Sri-Lanka

8

Tanzanite

Tanzania

6 – 7

There are many systems used to measure hardness, which is defined several different ways. Gemstones and other minerals are ranked according to their Mohs hardness. Mohs hardness refers to a material’s ability to resist abrasion or scratching. Note that a hard gem or mineral is not automatically tough or durable.