{"id":5295,"date":"2024-04-08T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-08T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/uncategorized\/top-10-strongest-gemstones-zero-or-almost-zero-risk-of-breakage\/"},"modified":"2024-05-22T17:21:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T15:21:08","slug":"top-10-strongest-gemstones-zero-or-almost-zero-risk-of-breakage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/style\/top-10-strongest-gemstones-zero-or-almost-zero-risk-of-breakage\/","title":{"rendered":"TOP 10 Strongest Gemstones: Zero (or Almost Zero) Risk of Breakage!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-table-of-content ultp-block-1ac586\"><div class=\"ultp-block-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-block-toc\"><div class=\"ultp-toc-header\"><div class=\"ultp-toc-heading\">Les Pierres Les Plus Solides: Le Top 10<\/div><div class=\"ultp-collapsible-toggle  ultp-collapsible-right\"><a class=\"ultp-collapsible-icon ultp-collapsible-open\" href=\"javascript:;\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 34.1 19.95\"><path d=\"M32.05 19.949a2.041 2.041 0 0 1-1.45-.6L17.05 5.8 3.498 19.349a2.05 2.05 0 0 1-2.9-2.9l16.45-16.45 16.448 16.45a2.05 2.05 0 0 1-1.448 3.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><a class=\"ultp-collapsible-icon ultp-collapsible-hide\" href=\"javascript:;\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 34.1 19.95\"><path d=\"M32.05 19.949a2.041 2.041 0 0 1-1.45-.6L17.05 5.8 3.498 19.349a2.05 2.05 0 0 1-2.9-2.9l16.45-16.45 16.448 16.45a2.05 2.05 0 0 1-1.448 3.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-toc-style1 ultp-block-toc-body\" style=\"display:block;\"><ul class=\"ultp-toc-lists\"><li><a href=\"#Tenacit\u00e9_vs_Duret\u00e9\">Toughness vs. Hardness: The explanation  <\/a><ul class=\"ultp-toc-lists\"><li><a href=\"#La_duret\u00e9_et_la_formation_g\u00e9ologique_sont_li\u00e9es_\">Hardness and geological formation are linked  <\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tenacit\u00e9_et_structure_interne_de_la_pierre_sont_li\u00e9es\">Toughness and internal structure of stone are linked<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Duret\u00e9_et_Inclusions:_les_deux_autres_crit\u00e8res_\u00e0_prendre_en_compte\">Hardness and Inclusions: the two other criteria to consider<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Top__Des_Pierres_Les_Plus_Solides:_Le_Classement__\">Top 10 Most Solid Gemstones: The Ranking!  <\/a><ul class=\"ultp-toc-lists\"><li><a href=\"#Le_jade_jad\u00e9ite\">N\u00b01: Jade jadeite &#8211; The unbeatable&#8230;but not in water<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Le_jade_n\u00e9phrite\">N\u00b02: Nephrite jade &#8211; Waterproof&#8230;but still not waterproof<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Les_quartz_polycristallins\">No.3: Polycrystalline quartz &#8211; A wide, versatile and affordable range<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Le_lapis_lazuli\">N\u00b04: Lapis lazuli &#8211; The ornamental gemstone<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#La_moissanite\">N\u00b05: Moissanite &#8211; The all-round winner<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Le_Chrysoberyl\">N\u00b06: Chrysoberyl &#8211; Tough, <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacious<\/abbr> and pool-ready!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Lalexandrite\">N\u00b07: Alexandrite &#8211; The best optical effect<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Le_Saphir\">N\u00b08: Le Saphir &#8211; Silver medal in all categories<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Le_rubis\">N\u00b09: The ruby &#8211; Joint silver medal in all categories  <\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#La_spinelle\">N\u00b010: Spinel &#8211; Honorable mention!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We all have a fear: buying a necklace, a ring or even a sculpture, and then PAF, the extra shock. A split or cracked stone, a broken piece of jewelry, but above all, a stone millions of years old shattered (and our bank account lighter).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>?Le?bon?heur?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And in those moments, after going through the 5 stages of grief, you wonder what could have happened! After all, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/diamond-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">diamonds<\/a> are invincible, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/beryl-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">beryls<\/a> are forces of nature! Unbreakable topazes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, yes, but no. Because we&#8217;re quick to forget a key distinction in the debate: toughness and <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacity<\/abbr> are two different things! So how are the strongest gemstones made?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s common to mix up the two concepts, thinking that a stone that scores a perfect 10 on the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Scale used to describe the hardness (scratch resistance) of a mineral from the lowest hardness (1 - talc) to the highest (10 - diamond)'>Mohs scale<\/abbr>, like the precious diamond, is invincible. This belief is reinforced by depictions in films, where thieves and heroes use diamond points to open windows. In reality, it simply illustrates the principle of hardness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-756978041206495290959fb69183aeff\" id=\"Tenacit\u00e9_vs_Duret\u00e9\">Toughness vs. Hardness: The explanation  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell: hardness is a material&#8217;s resistance to scratching and abrasion, while toughness is its resistance to impact and breakage. A stone may therefore scratch more easily but be almost unbreakable, whereas a stone that is impossible to scratch may be easy to break. Yes, it takes the head, doesn&#8217;t it?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-0ad68638e45f07633db555dbc423705a\" id=\"La_duret\u00e9_et_la_formation_g\u00e9ologique_sont_li\u00e9es_\">Hardness and geological formation are linked  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally speaking, stones that have been subjected to intense pressure and formed deep in the earth are harder and more resistant to scratching. This is why diamonds, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/ruby-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">rubies<\/a> and topaz that form at depth are much harder than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/turquoise-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">turquoise<\/a> or feldspar that form on the surface. This difference in hardness is mainly due to the pressure exerted during their formation. For example, carbon, which makes up the entirety of diamonds, is more fragile and soft on the surface, but becomes extremely hard when formed deep in the Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-20a7d500e21cf5ff5399f085b1c0d50d\" id=\"Tenacit\u00e9_et_structure_interne_de_la_pierre_sont_li\u00e9es\">Toughness and internal structure of stone are linked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By contrast, toughness, which measures a stone&#8217;s ability to resist impact, depends less on its depth of formation (although this can be a factor) and more on its crystal structure.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To illustrate this, imagine a door with seven locks, all closed. A blow to one corner will open all the locks in its path.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If the door has no lock<\/strong>&#8230;it opens with a simple push. These are <strong>amorphous and organic materials<\/strong>. No internal crystal structure and therefore no lock. They can split in any direction, as in the case of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/opal-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">opal<\/a><\/strong> and <strong>coral<\/strong>, for example.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If all the locks are aligned<\/strong>, one shot will open all the locks at once and the door will open. These are <strong>crystalline stones<\/strong> with what is known in the trade as <strong>perfect cleavage<\/strong>. The stone has several rows of locks running parallel to each other: a shock at this angle will open all the locks and split the stone perfectly in two, no matter how hard it is. Such is the case with <strong>fluorite<\/strong>.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If the locks are distributed in 2 or 3 different places<\/strong> on the door, a blow at the right angle will only open a handful of locks, leaving at least half of them closed. It will be possible to open the door, but this will require forcing the remaining locks with <strong>heavy blows<\/strong>. Easier to open than numerous, random locks, less easy to open than aligned locks, these stones will generally be resistant with a weakness if shocked into a precise angle. This is true of <strong>most stones<\/strong>.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the <strong>case of locks randomly distributed on the door<\/strong>, a single blow is unlikely to open any or very few locks. The door won&#8217;t budge except in the event of very heavy impact (imagine the police forcing open a door with a battering ram). These are <strong>polycrystalline stones<\/strong>.  <br>They are made up of <strong>thousands of microcrystals in all directions<\/strong>, sometimes of different varieties, making it impossible for all these microcrystals to be oriented in the same direction. The stone will therefore be tough and shock-resistant. Such is the case with <strong>agate<\/strong> and <strong>jade<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-386ecf3bec7bdb58c4f831a79694e941\" id=\"Duret\u00e9_et_Inclusions:_les_deux_autres_crit\u00e8res_\u00e0_prendre_en_compte\">Hardness and Inclusions: the two other criteria to consider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, hardness plays an important role, as <strong>a soft stone will crumble on its own<\/strong>, without the need for splitting&#8230; This is the case for <strong>gypsum<\/strong> and <strong>talc<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we understand the natural toughness of a stone, let&#8217;s talk about inclusions! A stone can be highly resistant to scratches, have good toughness but break easily&#8230;because inclusions in a stone carry a risk: they create &#8220;holes&#8221; in the structure of the stone and therefore a weakness.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine you&#8217;re in a perfectly balanced tug-of-war and suddenly one of your teammates disappears or is transformed into a giant gas bubble? Good luck keeping the balance with your opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s what happens with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/emerald-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">Emerald<\/a> or Feldspar! <strong>These stones are so full of inclusions that they are brittle<\/strong>, despite their rather decent natural hardness and toughness (if the inclusions were removed). That&#8217;s why a <strong>synthetic emerald is so much more resistant<\/strong> than a natural emerald: because it won&#8217;t have any inclusions!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-88b9ac688cea432ae73fd6c5ff93b023\" id=\"Top__Des_Pierres_Les_Plus_Solides:_Le_Classement__\">Top 10 Most Solid Gemstones: The Ranking!  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you have a clearer picture (or if you&#8217;ve skipped right over the scientific blah, blah, blah), I&#8217;ve concocted a top 10 list of the most solid gemstones, i.e. those that present <strong>THE LEAST<\/strong> risk of breakage on impact.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here we go!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-6a4a394695185e0e96a320cb9abcecd4\" id=\"Le_jade_jad\u00e9ite\">N\u00b01: Jade jadeite &#8211; The unbeatable&#8230;but not in water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Extremely popular in China in its translucent pure-green imperial variety, the famous jade jadeite is the <strong>world&#8217;s most enduring<\/strong> stone. It&#8217;s so shock-resistant that <strong>the Chinese Empire used it as an anvil <\/strong>! Need I say more? Unfortunately, good quality jade is not so easy to find, and you have to watch out for internal fractures and bleaching treatments that <strong>weaken its structure<\/strong>. With a <strong>hardness of 7<\/strong>, it is scratch-resistant, but beware of lakes, pools and seas, as jade is <strong>sensitive to water<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png\" alt=\"jade jadeite green stone on neutral background to illustrate a green stone\" class=\"wp-image-104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jade jadeite &#8211; Photo \u00a9 by Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-22faf35553cfd17b67e551c0dc983a6e\" id=\"Le_jade_n\u00e9phrite\">N\u00b02: Nephrite jade &#8211; Waterproof&#8230;but still not waterproof<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Slightly less <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacious<\/abbr> than its cousin jade jadeite, notably because of its lower hardness, nephrite jade remains in the top rankings with superb <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacity<\/abbr> and a <strong>reasonable hardness of 6.5<\/strong>. As with jadeite, nephrite jade can be <strong>bleached or fractured<\/strong>. It is also <strong>sensitive to<\/strong> abundant <strong>water<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file.png\" alt=\"nephrite jade green stone on neutral background to illustrate a green stone\" class=\"wp-image-105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/44_file-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nephrite jade &#8211; Photo \u00a9 by Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-05af99099488684ce7d9c0a2d40062e2\" id=\"Les_quartz_polycristallins\">No.3: Polycrystalline quartz &#8211; A wide, versatile and affordable range<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chalcedonies<\/strong> such as <strong>cornelias, sardines, prases, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/chrysoprase-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">chrysoprases<\/a>, agates and onyxes<\/strong>, as well as <strong>jasper<\/strong> varieties <strong>, fossil woods, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/tiger-eye-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">tiger&#8217;s eye<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/aventurine-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">aventurine<\/a><\/strong> are all covered by this designation! By their very nature, they will be highly resistant to breakage, rather affordable and still impressive in the face of scratches thanks to a <strong>hardness of 6<\/strong>. Now you know why we make <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/quartz-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">quartz<\/a> worktops<\/strong> and why you shouldn&#8217;t be afraid to sit on them (if they&#8217;re thick enough, of course)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file.png\" alt=\"Dalmatian jasper stone showing its texture as a rolled stone on a natural background to illustrate its replacement by jasper.\" class=\"wp-image-413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/208_file-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/jasper-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">Dalmatian jasper<\/a> &#8211; Photo \u00a9 by Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-649ba7b7a78379be05c785d215d38ff3\" id=\"Le_lapis_lazuli\">N\u00b04: Lapis lazuli &#8211; The ornamental gemstone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This may seem odd when you consider that lapis only has a limited  <strong>hardness only 5.5<\/strong>  and is sensitive to chemicals, however, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/lapis-lazuli-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">lapis lazuli<\/a> has a high  <strong>surprising <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacity<\/abbr><\/strong>  ! Due in large part to its polycrystalline rock structure (different crystals mixed together),  <strong>it is very difficult to break a lapis<\/strong>  ! It&#8217;s more likely to be scratched or abraded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file.png\" alt=\"blue lapis lazuli cube on neutral background to illustrate a blue stone\" class=\"wp-image-263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/136_file-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lapis lazuli cube &#8211; Photo \u00a9 by Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-cc557c832a8b90d98c8399232fc9ccd3\" id=\"La_moissanite\">N\u00b05: Moissanite &#8211; The all-round winner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The eternal diamond competitor, synthetic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/moissanite-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">moissanite<\/a> is a laboratory-created moissanite. With <strong>very high toughness<\/strong> and a <strong>hardness of 9.3<\/strong>, it outperforms <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/corundum-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">corundum<\/a> and is also <strong>highly water-resistant<\/strong>, so you can <strong>take<\/strong> it to the <strong>sea<\/strong> if you like! She loses the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacity<\/abbr> match, but <strong>wins<\/strong> the all-category durability contest hands down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1764\" height=\"927\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Moissanite_synthetic_silicon_carbide_2.jpg\" alt=\"Colorless synthetic moissanite cut on a beige background to illustrate moissanite\" class=\"wp-image-2167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Moissanite_synthetic_silicon_carbide_2.jpg 1764w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Moissanite_synthetic_silicon_carbide_2-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Moissanite_synthetic_silicon_carbide_2-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Moissanite_synthetic_silicon_carbide_2-768x404.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Moissanite_synthetic_silicon_carbide_2-1536x807.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Moissanite_synthetic_silicon_carbide_2-600x315.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1764px) 100vw, 1764px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Moissanite &#8211; James St. John, CC BY 2.0  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-063a1dda47a648ad7c52d281909ac7cc\" id=\"Le_Chrysoberyl\">N\u00b06: Chrysoberyl &#8211; Tough, <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacious<\/abbr> and pool-ready!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Chrysoberyl and its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/alexandrite-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">Alexandrite<\/a> variety are among the <strong>toughest<\/strong> and <strong>most durable<\/strong> gems. With a <strong>hardness of 8.5 <\/strong>and <strong>excellent resistance to acids and chemicals<\/strong>, it&#8217;s a stone that can generally be <strong>worn<\/strong> even in <strong>the swimming pool<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-89433d0d0c30966e899815620e258df9\" id=\"Lalexandrite\">N\u00b07: Alexandrite &#8211; The best optical effect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, being a color-change <strong>variety of Chrysoberyl<\/strong>, alexandrite is perfectly suited to impact and also benefits from the <strong>hardness of 8.5<\/strong>, making it a <strong>surprisingly durable gem<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-9680e5c7bcc1658c2b8d315c3eca7053\" id=\"Le_Saphir\">N\u00b08: Le Saphir &#8211; Silver medal in all categories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sapphire is the second hardest stone in this ranking, with a <strong>hardness of 9<\/strong> and remarkable toughness! Shock- and scratch-resistant, with <strong>little sensitivity to acids<\/strong> and chemicals, it is an <strong>extremely durable<\/strong> stone. The synthetic version is just as important, if not more so, as it will be devoid of inclusions and therefore of the risk of internal fractures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file.png\" alt=\"synthetic pink sapphire stone with color change on a neutral background and held by tweezers (gemmological tweezers) to illustrate the fancy sapphire.\" class=\"wp-image-337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/159_file-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Synthetic color-change sapphire &#8211; Photo \u00a9 by Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-93d41166a7a4bb9373a4e20c808bc579\" id=\"Le_rubis\">N\u00b09: The ruby &#8211; Joint silver medal in all categories  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course&#8230; just like sapphire, ruby is a remarkably tough corundum with a rock-solid <strong>hardness of 9<\/strong>, beaten only by diamond and moissanite!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file.png\" alt=\"Synthetic ruby stone in red to pink cut stone on neutral background to illustrate ruby\" class=\"wp-image-201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/91_file-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Synthetic ruby &#8211; Photo \u00a9 by Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-nv-site-bg-color has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-2d71ed37c82b69980aa49fce533e03a7\" id=\"La_spinelle\">N\u00b010: Spinel &#8211; Honorable mention!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/gem-encyclopedia\/spinel-properties-uses-and-virtues\/\">spinel<\/a> shares its crystal system with diamond, it is remarkably <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Ability of stone to withstand impacts and breakage'>tenacious<\/abbr> and generally refuses to split. With its <strong>hardness of 8<\/strong> and <strong>water resistance<\/strong>, it has well earned its place in this ranking!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file.png\" alt=\"synthetic spinel blue stone on a neutral background to illustrate a blue stone\" class=\"wp-image-147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/74_file-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Synthetic Spinelle &#8211; Photo \u00a9 by Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>So, would you have said the same?  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-nv-site-bg-color has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-700b8229ea888367cc45abf5bcc173c3\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">Pin it ! <\/p>\n\n\n      \n\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-icon-wrapper uagb-block-a8166a1c      \"\n\t\t\tstyle=\"\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-svg-wrapper\" \n\t\t\t\t\t aria-label=\"arrow-turn-down\"\t\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"0\">\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 384 512\" role=\"graphics-symbol\" aria-hidden=\"false\" aria-label=\"\"><path d=\"M342.6 374.6l-128 128C208.4 508.9 200.2 512 191.1 512s-16.38-3.125-22.63-9.375l-127.1-128c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 402.8V80C160 71.19 152.8 64 144 64H32C14.33 64 0 49.69 0 32s14.33-32 32-32h112C188.1 0 224 35.88 224 80v322.8l73.37-73.38c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S355.1 362.1 342.6 374.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cola5677.odns.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Top10_Unbreakable_Gemstone-683x1024.png\" alt=\"pinterest banner with lapis lazuli, red jasper, moissanite and jade jadeite and the words &quot;Le TOP 10 des Pierres Les Plus Solides!&quot; and &quot;Z\u00e9ro (Ou presque) Risque De Casse&quot; to illustrate the article\" class=\"wp-image-3863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Top10_Unbreakable_Gemstone-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Top10_Unbreakable_Gemstone-600x900.png 600w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Top10_Unbreakable_Gemstone-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Top10_Unbreakable_Gemstone-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Top10_Unbreakable_Gemstone.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The world&#8217;s 10 strongest and toughest gemstones are ranked according to their toughness and durability. Jade jadeite takes first place, followed by nephrite jade and polycrystalline quartz. Despite their slightly lower hardness, lapis lazuli and moissanite are also very resistant. Chrysoberyl, sapphire, ruby and spinel round off this impressive ranking. These stones are not only beautiful, but also extremely durable. So the next time you&#8217;re looking for a gemstone, keep this list of rock-solid gems in mind!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":244091248,"featured_media":4643,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","two_page_speed":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1402,1742],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-5295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-style","category-style-en"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png",1000,750,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-300x225.png",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-768x576.png",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png",1000,750,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png",1000,750,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png",1000,750,false],"ultp_layout_landscape_large":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png",1000,750,false],"ultp_layout_landscape":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-870x570.png",870,570,true],"ultp_layout_portrait":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-600x750.png",600,750,true],"ultp_layout_square":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-600x600.png",600,600,true],"neve-blog":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-930x620.png",930,620,true],"tenweb_optimizer_mobile":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png",600,450,false],"tenweb_optimizer_tablet":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file.png",768,576,false],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/43_file-120x120.png",120,120,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Laur\u00e9line Colliard FGA","author_link":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/author\/laurelinecolliardfga\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The world's 10 strongest and toughest gemstones are ranked according to their toughness and durability. Jade jadeite takes first place, followed by nephrite jade and polycrystalline quartz. Despite their slightly lower hardness, lapis lazuli and moissanite are also very resistant. Chrysoberyl, sapphire, ruby and spinel round off this impressive ranking. These stones are not only&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/244091248"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5295"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7770,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5295\/revisions\/7770"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4643"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5295"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gemgazette.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=5295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}