💎 Can Diamonds Be Scratched? Understanding the Mohs Scale

Diamonds are often advertised as the hardest natural substance on Earth. But does that mean they can never be scratched, chipped, or damaged?

Let’s uncover the truth by diving into the Mohs scale of mineral hardness — and what it really means for your diamond jewelry.

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🧪 What Is the Mohs Scale?

The Mohs scale measures how easily a mineral can be scratched by another material. It ranges from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

✅ Diamonds sit at the top — they can scratch all lower-rated materials, but nothing (naturally) can scratch them… right?

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❗ Can Diamonds Be Scratched?

Yes – but only by other diamonds.

• A diamond can scratch another diamond.

• If you store multiple diamonds together, they can rub or chip each other.

• Certain industrial tools (diamond-tipped) can also leave marks.

💡 Hardness ≠ Toughness.
Diamonds are extremely hard, but they’re not unbreakable. They can:

• Chip at the edges

• Break along cleavage lines (especially fancy cuts like marquise or pear)

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🧼 Everyday Damage: What to Avoid

While household items won’t scratch a diamond, you should still:

• Avoid dropping it on hard floors

• Keep it away from chlorine and strong cleaning chemicals

• Store separately from other jewelry

💡 Pro tip: Use a padded jewelry box or store each diamond in its own pouch.

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💍 What About Other Stones?

Here’s how other gems compare to diamonds:

Even though they’re close, none of them can scratch a real diamond.

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🔚 Final Thoughts

Diamonds are incredibly durable — the hardest natural material — but they’re not invincible. Knowing how to care for them properly helps preserve their brilliance for a lifetime.

💎 Want to test if your diamond is real? Check out our guide on “At-Home Diamond Testing Methods” or browse “How to Store and Clean Fine Jewelry Safely.”