Destructive Gemstone Tests: Scratch Testing

Precautions

Scratch testing (or hardness testing) is one of the most destructive gemstone tests. Never perform a scratch test on a finished stone. This can fracture or shatter the gem, even if tested on an inconspicuous area.

Gem rough can be scratch tested, but caution is needed. Keep in mind that the rough may have incipient fractures invisible to the naked eye or internal stress that will open up easily to pressure. For these reasons, perform scratch testing only on small protrusions. Whenever possible, saw a piece off of the main rough stone for testing.

What Tools Do You Need for Scratch Testing?

Scratch testing requires a set of pencils or rods with ends of known Mohs hardness value. You can buy hardness sets or make your own. Get some wood dowels about the size of a pencil. Attach small, sharp pieces of synthetic corundum, topaz, and quartz to the ends of individual dowels and label them 9, 8, and 7, respectively. For a more complete set, you can add feldspar and apatite, 6 and 5, respectively.