Quick answer
Hardness difference decides everything. Stones within about half a point of each other on the Mohs scale can share a wrist or a pouch safely; once one stone is a full point harder, it will scratch the other over months of ordinary wear, and the mark cannot be polished out at home. Amethyst (7) next to malachite (3.5-4) is the classic failure; amethyst next to rose quartz (7) is not a problem at all.
Pick two stones and the checker returns a verdict, the reason for it, and what to do about it. Every verdict below is computed from hardness ranges and care notes held in our own stone data, not from shop copy.
Both lists include every stone we hold data for. Start with the pair you actually own.
How the verdict is worked out
We compare the low end of each stones hardness range, because that is the direction most likely to take damage. A stone with one hard direction and one soft direction is judged by its soft side, which is why kyanite is treated as a soft stone here even though its blades will scratch glass. Three outcomes are possible, and they are not a matter of taste: below half a point of difference the two stones cannot cut each other; between half a point and two points the softer one will mark over months and needs a spacer; at two points or more the softer stone will visibly scratch in ordinary daily wear.
| Hardness band | Stones in this band | What it means when stones touch |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs 9 | Ruby, Sapphire | Diamond-hard corundum. Scratches everything below it. |
| Mohs 7-8 | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Quartz family and the hard gems. The everyday-wear tier. |
| Mohs 6-6.5 | Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite | Feldspars and jade. Fine as a pendant, risky next to quartz. |
| Mohs 5-5.5 | Black Obsidian, Hematite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise | Porous and softer stones. Keep away from quartz and metal edges. |
| Below Mohs 5 | Azurite, Calcite, Cinnabar, Fluorite, Malachite, Pearl, Selenite | Soft, soluble or brittle. Nothing harder should touch them. |
Band against band
The table below compresses the whole checker into five rows, so you can read the answer without running the tool. Each cell gives the verdict for any stone from the row band against any stone from the column band. Diagonal cells are always safe, which is the single most useful line in the table: a stone cannot scratch itself.
| Band | Mohs 9 | Mohs 7-8 | Mohs 6-6.5 | Mohs 5-5.5 | Below Mohs 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohs 9 | Safe together | Scratches | Scratches | Scratches | Scratches |
| Mohs 7-8 | Scratches | Safe together | Care needed | Care needed | Scratches |
| Mohs 6-6.5 | Scratches | Care needed | Safe together | Care needed | Scratches |
| Mohs 5-5.5 | Scratches | Care needed | Care needed | Safe together | Care needed |
| Below Mohs 5 | Scratches | Scratches | Scratches | Care needed | Safe together |
Every stone, with what it can share a wrist with
This is the checker in full, written out so it can be read without JavaScript and quoted without running anything. The third column lists stones that can share a wrist, a chain or a pouch as they are. The fourth lists stones that are close enough in hardness to wear together only with a smooth metal spacer bead or a separate strand. The last column lists stones that will visibly scratch this one, ordered by how far apart they are: the first names in that column are the worst combinations.
| Stone | Mohs | Safe to wear with | Safe with a metal spacer | Keep separate from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agate | 6.5-7 | Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye | Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Topaz, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite |
| Amazonite | 6-6.5 | Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Hematite, Jasper, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Ruby, Sapphire, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Topaz |
| Amethyst | 7-7 | Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz | Agate, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise |
| Aquamarine | 7.5-8 | Emerald | Agate, Amazonite, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Smoky Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite |
| Azurite | 3.5-4 | Malachite | Black Obsidian, Calcite, Cinnabar, Fluorite, Hematite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Selenite, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite |
| Black Obsidian | 5-5.5 | Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise | Agate, Amazonite, Azurite, Carnelian, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Malachite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye | Ruby, Sapphire, Cinnabar, Selenite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Pearl, Amethyst, Calcite, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz |
| Calcite | 3-3 | Nothing in this list | Azurite, Cinnabar, Fluorite, Kyanite, Malachite, Pearl, Selenite | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise |
| Carnelian | 6.5-7 | Agate, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye | Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Topaz, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite |
| Cinnabar | 2-2.5 | Selenite | Azurite, Calcite, Malachite, Pearl | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Kyanite, Fluorite |
| Citrine | 7-7 | Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz | Agate, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise |
| Clear Quartz | 7-7 | Amethyst, Citrine, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz | Agate, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise |
| Emerald | 7.5-8 | Aquamarine | Agate, Amazonite, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Smoky Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite |
| Fluorite | 4-4 | Nothing in this list | Azurite, Black Obsidian, Calcite, Hematite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Opal, Pearl, Rhodonite, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Turquoise | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amazonite, Cinnabar, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Selenite |
| Garnet | 6.5-7.5 | Agate, Carnelian, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye | Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Topaz, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite |
| Green Aventurine | 6-7 | Amazonite, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Hematite, Jasper, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Ruby, Sapphire, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Topaz |
| Hematite | 5-6 | Black Obsidian, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise | Agate, Amazonite, Azurite, Carnelian, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Malachite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye | Ruby, Sapphire, Cinnabar, Selenite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Pearl, Amethyst, Calcite, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz |
| Jade | 6-7 | Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Hematite, Jasper, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Ruby, Sapphire, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Topaz |
| Jasper | 6.5-7 | Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Peridot, Tiger's Eye | Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Topaz, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite |
| Kyanite | 4.5-7 | Nothing in this list | Amazonite, Azurite, Black Obsidian, Calcite, Fluorite, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Moonstone, Opal, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Turquoise | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Cinnabar, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Selenite, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Pearl, Peridot, Tiger's Eye |
| Labradorite | 6-6.5 | Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Moonstone, Pyrite | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Hematite, Jasper, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Ruby, Sapphire, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Topaz |
| Lapis Lazuli | 5-6 | Black Obsidian, Hematite, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise | Agate, Amazonite, Azurite, Carnelian, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Malachite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye | Ruby, Sapphire, Cinnabar, Selenite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Pearl, Amethyst, Calcite, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz |
| Malachite | 3.5-4 | Azurite | Black Obsidian, Calcite, Cinnabar, Fluorite, Hematite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Selenite, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite |
| Moonstone | 6-6.5 | Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Pyrite | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Hematite, Jasper, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Ruby, Sapphire, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Topaz |
| Opal | 5.5-6.5 | Rhodonite, Sodalite | Agate, Amazonite, Amethyst, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Ruby, Sapphire, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Azurite, Emerald, Malachite |
| Pearl | 2.5-4.5 | Nothing in this list | Azurite, Calcite, Cinnabar, Fluorite, Malachite, Selenite | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Kyanite |
| Peridot | 6.5-7 | Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Tiger's Eye | Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Topaz, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite |
| Pink Tourmaline | 7-7.5 | Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz | Agate, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise |
| Pyrite | 6-6.5 | Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Hematite, Jasper, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Ruby, Sapphire, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Topaz |
| Rhodonite | 5.5-6.5 | Opal, Sodalite | Agate, Amazonite, Amethyst, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Ruby, Sapphire, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Azurite, Emerald, Malachite |
| Rose Quartz | 7-7 | Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz | Agate, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise |
| Ruby | 9-9 | Sapphire | Aquamarine, Emerald, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz |
| Sapphire | 9-9 | Ruby | Aquamarine, Emerald, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz |
| Selenite | 2-2 | Cinnabar | Azurite, Calcite, Malachite, Pearl | Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Kyanite, Fluorite |
| Smoky Quartz | 7-7 | Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz | Agate, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise |
| Snowflake Obsidian | 5-5.5 | Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise | Agate, Amazonite, Azurite, Carnelian, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Malachite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye | Ruby, Sapphire, Cinnabar, Selenite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Pearl, Amethyst, Calcite, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz |
| Sodalite | 5.5-6 | Opal, Rhodonite | Agate, Amazonite, Amethyst, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Ruby, Sapphire, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Azurite, Emerald, Malachite |
| Tiger's Eye | 6.5-7 | Agate, Carnelian, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot | Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Black Obsidian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Green Aventurine, Hematite, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Sodalite, Topaz, Turquoise | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite |
| Topaz | 8-8 | Nothing in this list | Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Garnet, Jasper, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Smoky Quartz, Tiger's Eye | Cinnabar, Selenite, Pearl, Calcite, Azurite, Malachite, Fluorite, Kyanite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian, Turquoise, Opal, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Jade, Labradorite, Moonstone, Pyrite |
| Turquoise | 5-6 | Black Obsidian, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Snowflake Obsidian | Agate, Amazonite, Azurite, Carnelian, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Jade, Jasper, Kyanite, Labradorite, Malachite, Moonstone, Opal, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Tiger's Eye | Ruby, Sapphire, Cinnabar, Selenite, Topaz, Aquamarine, Emerald, Pearl, Amethyst, Calcite, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz |
What hardness does not cover
Two stones can be a safe pair and still be a bad combination for other reasons. Water-sensitive stones should not share a cleaning session with stones you rinse under the tap, because the habit that is harmless for quartz will dull malachite. Stones that are porous take up dye and oil, so a dyed bead stored against them can transfer colour. And elastic strands wear out where beads rub, so a heavy stone next to a light one shortens the life of the whole bracelet. Our wearing rules and storage guide cover those cases.
Sources
- Mohs hardness scale as published in mineralogy references; values cross-checked against species data maintained by Mindat, the mineral database of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
- Treatment and disclosure practice follows the terminology used by the Gemological Institute of America in its gem-treatment guidance.
- Stone identification limits: hardness testing, specific gravity and refractive index are the standard tests, described in the GIA Gem Encyclopedia.
Disclaimer
This is reference information for buying, wearing and caring for stones, not a laboratory identification and not medical advice. Hardness values follow standard mineralogy and a given piece can behave differently if it is treated, fractured or unusually thin. For anything you intend to put in your mouth, on broken skin or in a container of drinking water, treat a jeweller's or a mineralogist's in-person assessment as the only reliable answer.
