Marble On The Hardness Scale

Granite on the mohs scale.

Marble on the hardness scale.

Depending on the limestone and the mineral combination within the marble most marble rates from three to five on the mohs hardness scale. If you check granite hardness on the mohs scale you will find it harder than marble and softer than quartzite. Being composed of calcite marble has a hardness of three on the mohs hardness scale. Because granite is between a 6 and 7 on the mohs scale it would be able to scratch other types of stone that have lower ratings such as marble.

Hardness is determined by the ability of one mineral to scratch another. As a result marble is less porous and slightly stronger than limestone but still less durable than granite. Marble is limestone that has been compacted and heated over millions of years. When black granite is measured on the mohs scale it falls somewhere between 6 and 7.

The translucence of marble makes it especially attractive for many types of sculptures. In simple words soapstone is the softest material and diamond is the hardest material. An example of the hardness of a granite countertop can be seen in the fact that a knife blade will not scratch the surface. For example a diamond can scratch granite while granite can scratch marble.

This means that marble is less scratch resistant than granite. On average it is 6 5. Marble has a mohs hardness scale rating between 3 4. Created in 1812 by german geologist and mineralogist friedrich mohs it is one of several definitions of hardness in materials science some of which are more quantitative.