Update: October 24, 2024

Are gemstones hard? Soft?

 "Are gemstones hard? Soft?"

　   2024.10.26～2025.2.24

　Closed：Tuesdays, Saturday, December 28, 2024 - Friday, January 3, 2025, Wednesday, February 12

　Room  :"Special Exhibition A"             

  

　　　　　

 

 

 

 

　

　

Outline 

Most gemstones have the image of being “hard,” but in fact, there are various definitions of hardness, one of which is “Mohs hardness.
Mohs hardness is a hardness standard devised in 1822 by Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist and geologist.
Mohs hardness is a hardness standard that indicates the order in which minerals are rubbed against each other and the more scratched they are, the softer they are. It is difficult to express in fine numbers and does not mean that the hardness increases equally. It is different from “cleavage,” which is the regular cracking in a certain direction upon impact, and “toughness,” which is the ability to withstand pressure, but it is one of the most important factors for gemstones. The 10 standard minerals of different hardness used here are selected from minerals that are readily available anywhere in the world.
Focusing on the Mohs hardness, this exhibition introduces various jewelry pieces made in Yamanashi. In addition to color, cut, and design, it will be a fun moment to look at the indicators surrounding the gemstones.

Work