Learn Jewellery MakingGemstone hardness explained — the Mohs scale for jewellery wear
A cut gemstone — hardness decides where it can be worn, not just what it costs.
The Mohs scale ranks scratch resistance 1-10. For jewellery it answers one
question: WHERE can this stone be worn?
The practical bands
- 9-10 (diamond, corundum) — anywhere, including rings you never remove.
- 7-8 (quartz family, topaz, beryl, garnet) — daily wear including
bracelets; the everyday sweet spot. - **5-6 (opal, turquoise, jade*, lapis, tanzanite)** — pendants and earrings;
rings only with protective settings. (*Jade is special: modest hardness,
extreme toughness.) - Under 5 (amber, coral, pearl, jet) — gentle wear, no rings, no
household chemicals. Organic gems are soft AND chemical-sensitive.
Two nuances
Hardness ≠ toughness — diamond scratches everything but shatters along
cleavage; jade is softer than quartz yet famously tough. And diamonds
scratch diamonds: store separately, always.
This placement logic is day-one material in the school's
gemmology foundation course
— free tasters: the gem webinars and
Name That Gem.
What students say
“There is a very wide range of jewellery design programmes. Tanja's an expert and she encourages the class and is also open for catch-ups later.”
— Cecilia O. (Singapore) · published student feedback
“I am using the skills in my everyday life and my spare time has become very productive.”
— Shirley M. (Philippines) · published student feedback
Free ways to explore
No sign-up, no payment — start with any of these.
Answer a few questions, get personal course recommendations.The complete course guideFREE
Every course, family and diploma in one PDF.Free gem webinar replaysFREE
Full recorded sessions on gems and the jewellery trade.Play Name That GemFREE
The school's free gem-identification game.
Try a one-day jewellery class
Short experience classes at JDMIS need no tools, no experience and no commitment — a single session gives you a real taste of the craft.
Visit jdmis.edu.sg