Chert Hardness Explained: Why This Rock Ranks 7 on the Mohs Scale

Well now, if you ever walked through the fields or the hills, you might’ve seen those rocks that look real hard and shiny, kinda like a stone that don’t wanna break, no matter how hard you try. That’s what we call chert. Now, let me tell you, this here chert is tough, real tough, and it’s got a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, which means it’s as hard as a rock can get without being a diamond. It’s right up there with quartz, y’know, the stuff we use for making them fancy countertops and jewelry. But chert, it’s more common around here, in the dirt and the hills.

Chert comes in all sorts of colors, though it’s mostly gray, brown, or black on the inside. Sometimes it looks kinda white on the outside, like it’s been sitting in the sun too long. When you see it, you might think it’s some regular rock, but if you knock it around a bit, you’ll notice it don’t break so easy like other stones. It’s got this dull shine to it, so you won’t be seeing it sparkle like them fancy gemstones, but don’t let that fool you – this rock’s got strength. It’s got a lot of toughness to it.

You might not know this, but chert’s made up of tiny bits of quartz. It’s a fine-grained sedimentary rock, meaning it formed from tiny particles that settled and pressed together over a long time. The quartz inside is so fine that you can’t even see the crystals without a magnifying glass. That’s why it’s called “microcrystalline” or “cryptocrystalline,” but you don’t need to worry about them big words. Just know that the stuff’s hard, real hard. That’s the main thing.

Now, if you’re ever out there and you see some chert, you might notice it forms in little nodules, like round or oval lumps, and sometimes it’s mixed in with other rocks like limestone or chalk. It don’t mind sittin’ in between them layers, and over time, that’s how it builds up in big chunks. You won’t find chert lying around all loose-like, not in big piles. It’s more likely to be tucked in between other rocks, like it’s hidin’ out or somethin’.

The thing about chert is it’s tough as nails, but it’s also got a little bit of flint in it sometimes. Now, flint’s got that shiny look to it, and you can flake off little pieces with not much effort, just like how you see them old-timey folks making tools and fire starters. That hardness of 7 means that chert can handle a lot of wear and tear. If you ever tried to scratch it, you’d need something real hard to do the job, like maybe a piece of steel or another hard rock.

Chert is used in a lot of ways, even though folks don’t always know it. It’s used for making tools, like them arrowheads and knives you might see in museums. Back in the day, they didn’t have no fancy steel, so they used chert to get the job done. The sharp edges it can make are perfect for cutting or scraping. You don’t gotta be a scientist to know that sharp tools are useful. And let me tell ya, that hardness of 7 means chert’s a real survivor, too. It don’t break down easy, so it stays around for a long time.

But don’t go thinkin’ chert’s the same everywhere you look. You can find it in different places, like in limestone, chalk, and greensand rocks. Some folks even find it in formations with iron, where the rock’s got layers of chert mixed in with other minerals. Ain’t that somethin’? Chert can live in all sorts of places, and it don’t mind one bit where it’s at.

So, when you’re out walkin’ or maybe just sittin’ on a rock, take a look around. If you see something that looks real hard, chances are it’s chert. You won’t see it shine too bright, but you’ll know it’s a tough one. Don’t be fooled by how plain it looks. It’s got the strength to stand up to the test of time, and that’s somethin’ worth knowin’. Whether it’s in your tools or just sittin’ there in the hills, chert’s a rock that’s as tough as they come, and it’s been around a long time, just waitin’ for folks to appreciate it for what it is.

Tags：[hardness of chert, chert rock, Mohs scale, flint, sedimentary rock, quartz, rock hardness, geology, tough rocks, chert uses]