Granite Hardness: How Hard is the Natural Stone?

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Granite is one of the most beautiful types of natural stone you can find. But beyond beauty, granite is also a very tough and durable material, which is why it is so commonly found in countertops. Granite countertops are one of the hardest natural stone surfaces that you can have in your home. 

You may be wondering: What does the hardness of granite have to do with its effectiveness as a countertop? The main reason this is good is that your countertop will be able to withstand potential damage hazards that some other countertops will not. Find out more about the hardness of granite by reading on. 

How is Hardness Rated? 

The hardness of any mineral is rated on a 1 to 10 scale called the Mohs scale. This scale was invented by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in 1812, and ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch or sustain scratches. A ranking of 1 means the mineral is very soft, while a ranking of 10 means it is very hard. 

What is the Hardness of Granite? 

Granite comes in at a 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, meaning it is relatively hard. The igneous rock is comprised of mostly quartz and feldspar, along with smaller amounts of various other minerals. An example of the hardness of a granite countertop can be seen in the fact that a knife blade will not scratch the surface. 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. 

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Where Do Popular Stone Countertop Options Rate on the Mohs Scale? 

The table below lists where some of the most popular stone countertop options rank on the Mohs scale. 

Something interesting that you may want to note is that natural quartz, the mineral that primarily makes up the engineered quartz countertops, comes in at a 7 on the Mohs scale. The hardest material on the Mohs scale is diamond, which is a 10. 

As you can tell from the table above, granite is one of the hardest natural stone countertop options you have. If you are looking for a tough surface for your home, granite is the perfect choice. 

Why you can trust Marble.com

When it comes time to get the job done, our fabrication and installation teams have the equipment and expertise it takes to get your project cut and delivered the right way, every time. We at Marble.com are known for our incredibly quick turnaround, as we understand having countertops and other mainstays installed quickly and properly is important to our customers. We value your time, and our goal is to create the best work possible and have you enjoying it as possible.

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