The Truth About Gemstone Hardness and Durability: What High-End Buyers Need to Know

When investing in fine gemstones, whether for heirloom pieces, engagement rings, or collector’s items, you need a better understanding on gemstone hardness and durability. This is crucial for your buying decision. Not all gems are created equal, and the right choice depends on how and where the piece will be worn. This guide will help you navigate the Mohs hardness scale, distinguish between hardness and toughness, and select the best gemstones for your lifestyle and legacy.

Gemstone Hardness Chart (Mohs Scale)

Hardness vs. Toughness vs. Durability

While hardness is important, it’s only one part of the equation when choosing a gemstone. Buyers often confuse it with toughness, which is a gemstone's ability to withstand impact and resist breaking or chipping. Durability combines both factors along with resistance to heat, light, and chemicals. Examples are sunlight, temperature of where you live and even the soaps that you wash your hands or body with. These all come into place with durability.

Some Examples

• Diamond – Hardest, but can chip due to perfect cleavage.

• Sapphire & Ruby – Excellent in both hardness (9) and toughness.

• Emerald – High hardness (7.5–8), but low toughness due to inclusions.

• Opal & Pearl – Beautiful, but require careful wear due to low hardness.

Best Durable Gemstones for Everyday Wear

If you're seeking jewelry for daily wear, such as engagement rings, cufflinks, or signature gemstone ring or pendant pieces, go for gems that rank high in both hardness and toughness. Some examples of these include the following:

• Sapphire: Second only to diamond in hardness and available in every color. A top seller due to the hardness and that you can choose from almost any color of the rainbow.

• Spinel: Durable, vibrant, and increasingly popular with collectors. A top seller over the past few years!

• Topaz: Great hardness (8), especially suitable when properly mounted. Some stones are also very budget friendly.

• Chrysoberyl: Including the rare and prized alexandrite, offers outstanding durability. These gems tend to be more expensive and rare.

Noteworthy Gemstone Mentions:

• Tourmaline (7–7.5): Beautiful in a wide range of colors, including neon Paraíba. Great for occasional wear. One of our top sellers for rings and pendants.

• Zoisite (includes Tanzanite): Striking violet-blue color but requires care due to moderate toughness. Top seller, but you do need to be careful with every day wear.

• Kunzite (6.5–7): Delicate pink stone that fades in sunlight so not for daily exposure. While we sell quite a bit, best for wearing to indoor parties and events only.

• Morganite (7.5–8): From the beryl family (like emerald and aquamarine); romantic peach-pink hue and decent durability. Personally, one of our favorite gemstones. The color is absolutely amazing.

• Heliodor & Aquamarine (7.5–8): Great clarity and hardness, ideal for luxury rings, pendants and earrings. A top selling gemstone for decades due to it's color.

• Spinel (8): Highly underappreciated but incredibly durable and brilliant which is perfect for daily luxury. So many colors to choose from and can be worn in rings and pendants.

Gemstones to Handle With Care

Some gemstones are best suited for occasional wear or protective settings, particularly when set in rings or bracelets that face more wear and tear. While they can be worn every day, you just need to be more careful when wearing them.

• Opal: Ranks 5.5–6.5, sensitive to heat, chemicals, and impact.

• Pearl: Only 2.5–4.5 in hardness, ideal for earrings or necklaces, but vulnerable in rings.

How to Protect Your Investment Jewelry & Gems

Regardless of the gem's hardness, having proper care ensures lasting brilliance and structural integrity. Here are a few professional tips from jewelers like ourselves:

• Use protective settings: Bezels or halos offer extra security.

• Store separately: Harder gemstones can scratch softer ones. A good jewelry box with softer interior is great for this.

• Avoid harsh chemicals & soaps: Especially on porous gems like turquoise or opal.

• Routine maintenance: Have high-end pieces professionally inspected and cleaned. We offer this free for anyone that buys anything from our website/store.

Why Hardness Matters to Collectors

For high-end buyers, the gemstone hardness scale isn't just academic, it’s a key to protecting long-term value. Whether you're acquiring a rare Paraíba tourmaline or investing in a precision-cut sapphire, durability affects everything from wearability to legacy. The last thing you want is your investment easily cracking or getting scratched, which can reduce the value.

At Moriarty's Gem Art, we specialize in fine gemstones chosen not only for beauty but also for integrity. Every gem is hand-selected and evaluated for brilliance, structure, and suitability for luxury settings.

Shop With Confidence

Looking for durable gemstones for fine jewelry? Our expert-curated collection (from master gem cutter, Steve Moriarty) includes only the finest examples, from gem-quality sapphires to rare and valuable spinels and beyond. With decades of experience (Since 1980) serving discerning clients, we help you make a choice that lasts a lifetime, and generations beyond.