Iolite durability

Dear Lance:

Thank you very much for your answer to my iolite question. People kept
telling me it wasn’t that durable, but when I looked it up in my books,
they said the hardness scale was the same as garnet (7 to 7.5). Now I
understand the concept of two different measurements. Does the toughness
scale have a name, and is it listed anywhere?

Cynthia Bach
(of Spirit Stones)

P.S. Thanks also to Margrett for her answer.

Hello Cynthia Bach:

Thank you very much for your answer to my iolite question. People kept
telling me it wasn’t that durable, but when I looked it up in my books,
they said the hardness scale was the same as garnet (7 to 7.5). Now I
understand the concept of two different measurements. Does the
toughness scale have a name, and is it listed anywhere?

In the GIA’s Gem Reference Guide it lists Iolite as having a Moh’s
hardness: 7 to 7 1/2, Toughness: fair , Stability: Reaction to Heat -
fusible, Stability to Light - stable, Reaction to Chemicals - attacked by
acids. Why would the GIA even have a listing for “Toughness” and a “grade”
to quantify it?

Faceting For Amatures, Second Edition by Glenn & Martha Vargas will list a
“Toughness Scale” in comparison to Moh’s hardness scale. This deals with
durability in cutting and translates to wearability too.

Thank you,
Lance Kanaby

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