[meteorite-list] Mohs hardness and meteorites

[Galactic Stone & Ironworks]

Hi List,

Has anyone ever put together a hardness list for meteorites in
relation to the Mohs scale?

I know that irons, stony-irons, friable types (some achondrites, LL's)
will vary greatly in hardness.  But what I am curious about is stony
type meteorites, specifically the chondrite family.  For example,
let's take the "typical" H5 chondrite - one of the most common of all
meteorite types.  Where does the H5 fall on the Mohs hardness scale?

Up until the time I started cutting and polishing meteorites, I
assumed that an L5 would be "softer" than an H5.  But, I have run
across some L-chondrites that are very very hard and require the same
amount of sanding/polishing work as some H-chondrites.  I am assuming
this is because of the individual mineral compositions of the
meteorites in questions, and not so much the petrologic type.  So am I
right to assume that stony meteorite hardness is not dictated solely
by iron content?

Best regards,

Mike Gilmer
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