The Mohs Scale is a qualitative scale used to measure the hardness of minerals. Developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, it ranks ten minerals from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond), with each mineral able to scratch those below it on the scale. This simple method helps identify minerals based on their resistance to scratching. Understanding the Mohs Scale is essential for geologists and gemologists, as it provides a straightforward way to assess the hardness of various materials. For example, knowing that quartz ranks 7 on the scale indicates it can scratch glass, which typically has a hardness of about 5.5.