TDB Mohs Hardness Picks

Product Description:

The TDB Mohs hardness picks provide a precise method for hardness testing, particularly useful for small specimens or mineral grains within a rock. The pointed tip of the pick can easily be applied to specific areas of a specimen, making it easy to distinguish between scratches made or metal trails left behind. These picks are used like pencils, held at a 45-degree angle, and applied with the same pressure as writing to drag the point across the surface of the specimen. Hardness is determined by observing the depth of the scratch.

Hardness Range:

• Mohs 2-3: Testing for soft materials.
• Mohs 3-5: Testing for medium-soft materials.
• Mohs 5-7: Testing for hard materials.
• Mohs 7-9: Testing for very hard materials.

Mineral Hardness Scales:

An alternative to using reference minerals for testing, hardness picks offer sharp metal points for highly accurate testing. These picks provide greater control, allowing you to test small mineral grains within a rock. The sharp picks either produce a scratch if they are harder than the specimen or leave a tiny streak of metal if they are softer. A hand lens can be used to examine the test site for results. Hardness picks are not only easier to use but also more accurate than traditional specimens, and they can be resharpened when they become dull.