How low can you go on the Mohs?

[Dreamer_D]

I have been looking up the properties of various stones, and I wondered "How low can you go on the Mohs" for an everyday wear ring? How careful do you need to be with, say, tourmaline (mohs ~7 to 7.5), for example? What stones would you recommend for an everyday ring (like an e-ring), which would you recommend only for a special ring that is worn carefully? What have your experiences been?

Thanks a lot!

DD

 

[chrono]

A tourmaline can be an everyday ring like an e-ring as long as it is babied: taken off at home, no yard work, no housework, removed when exercising, etc. You get the idea.

My limit for everyday rings only extend as far down as 8 and not any lower (even when worn carefully). You also have to accept that the facet points might get a little worn down over time. Usually 7 and below will be too soft for everyday wear.

 

[movie zombie]

ditto what Chrono said.

also, bezel setting will help protect it a bit but you have to like a bezel setting.

movie zombie

ps i''ve seen a sapphire e-ring that has been worn 24/7 for at least 20 years. facets are gone but the ring is still lovely and the woman who wears it wouldn''t have it any other way.

 

[jeffwhite]

As the others have said, anything below 7 or so is best limited to a ring that will not see everyday abuse. For everyday rings, there are only three that I would recommend wholeheartedly: corundum (sapphire and ruby), spinel, and chrysoberyl (and its color-change brother Alexandrite). Those are about as safe as you can get in the world of colored stones. Many other softer and/or less tough varieties are commonly used in rings, but you will need to be willing to accept a greater level of risk and will likely see "battle scars" more quickly: beryl, topaz, most garnets, tourmalines, zircon, etc., fit into this category. For "special occasion" rings, you can be much more liberal with your selection of gems, if you are careful.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am going to limit my search to sapphire and spinel, and since both stones come is so many colours, that isn''t a hard rule to swallow at all!

DD

 

[Rhea]

Off topic, but that is a great photo of your doggie - so cute!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I probably would not go below sapphire for an e-ring if you want to wear it daily.