Scratch hardness
The Mohs scale describes minerals’ resistance to scratching. Rocks are aggregates: assigning one number to each family can be misleading. Request data for the actual selection and surface.
EIGHT OPTIONS COMPARED
Hardness and resistance.
Let’s make it clear.
Porphyry, Grey Beola, Luserna, sandstone, serpentine, Trani/Antiqua, Brazilian quartzite and river pebbles: compare the criteria that matter when choosing paving, from surface to installation.
Scratch hardness describes the surface; wear concerns foot traffic; flexural strength concerns behaviour under load. Frost and slip resistance require other checks. None of these properties alone defines the best flooring.
COMPARE YOUR FAVOURITES
Eight options, one project.
Select stones to compare side by side. On small screens, scroll the table horizontally.
8 options compared
| Stone | Hardness and scratching | Wear and performance | Frost | Points to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porphyry | The product details describe good hardness values. A comparable scratch test is not available to establish superiority over the other materials in this comparison. | A long-established material for outdoor paving; abrasion data should be checked for the specific selection. | The Pietrarredo product details state frost resistance; for exposed uses, request the product’s test data. | For vehicle access, choose the format, thickness and sub-base to suit the loads. |
| Grey Beola | The product details describe it as a hard stone. The reflections and rock structure do not replace a comparative scratch test. | Gneiss used for paving; to compare wear, request abrasion data obtained using the same method. | The Pietrarredo product details state frost resistance; the class or numerical value is not published on the product page. | Layered structure: material selection, support and installation are essential. |
| Luserna Stone | The product details describe good hardness values. A scratch comparison requires tests on the actual surface. | Layered gneiss used for outdoor paving. The slab’s resistance also depends on the orientation of its structure. | The Pietrarredo product details state frost resistance; check the documentation for the specific supply against the climate. | The stone’s name alone does not determine its load capacity for vehicles: suitable thickness, format, installation and sub-base are required. |
| Sandstone | Varies with the composition and natural binder: the term sandstone does not allow a single hardness rating to be assigned. | Performance varies between selections. Compare abrasion data for the variety purchased, without treating all sandstones as the same. | The Pietrarredo product details state frost resistance; absorption and freeze/thaw tests are parameters to check for your project. | Calibration is indicative: the quarry surface is not completely flat and installation must accommodate its variations. |
| Green Serpentine | The product details describe good hardness values. Commercial varieties of serpentine differ: no scratch-resistance ranking has been demonstrated for this supply. | A material offered for outdoor paving; wear and performance data must relate to the actual variety and finish. | The Pietrarredo product details state frost resistance; request specific data for demanding climates or uses. | Do not apply values for other suppliers’ Serpentino Classico or Scisto to the Pietrarredo product. |
| Trani Stone · Antiqua | It is a limestone: surface sensitivity must be distinguished from structural resistance. Comparable tests are not available to rank the products by hardness. | Also suitable for flooring according to the catalogue. Finish, traffic and maintenance should be assessed for the project. | The Pietrarredo product details state frost resistance; check the specific selection’s performance for outdoor use. | Like other limestones, it requires compatible cleaning products: acids can dull the surface. |
| Brazilian Quartzite | Quartzite is a quartz-rich rock and is generally hard. The trade name and the mineral’s hardness do not automatically assign a Mohs value to the slab purchased. | The quartz-rich structure generally supports good wear resistance; comparing paving requires abrasion tests for the specific supply and finish. | The 47×47 cm slab details state frost resistance. The crazy paving details instead indicate use in temperate climates: check the data for your chosen variant. | Before ordering, compare thickness, surface and batch: regular slabs and crazy paving do not have identical dimensions or climatic guidance. For pools and wet areas, the finish’s slip resistance must be checked. |
| River Pebbles | Pebble describes a shape and alluvial origin, rather than a single rock. The composition may be mixed: assigning one Mohs rating to all river pebbles is incorrect. | Performance depends on the selected rocks and installation. In pebble paving, anchoring, joints and surface evenness also matter; a rounded shape does not certify wear resistance. | The Pietrarredo product details for the linked variants state frost resistance. For exposed uses, request documentation for the specific selection. | Choose round, flat or sawn pebbles according to the required walking surface. Plan the laying method and joints; to convert 100 kg units into square metres, use the coverage for the specific size and laying orientation. |
Select at least one stone to view its characteristics.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SUPPLIER
Understand the stone.
One parameter at a time.
Abrasion and wear
Comparing material loss requires tests with the same method and units. The European reference for natural stone abrasion is EN 14157. Data from a different quarry does not certify the product purchased.
Flexural strength
The EN 12372 test helps assess a slab. Format, thickness, structural orientation, support and installation all contribute to load capacity. Vehicle access requires an assessment of the complete system.
Frost and absorption
Freeze/thaw resistance and water absorption are separate parameters, assessed respectively under EN 12371 and EN 13755. Drainage and standing water matter alongside the material’s characteristics.
Wet slip resistance
Visible roughness alone does not define slip resistance. Ask for the test result relevant to the finish and conditions of use, for example under EN 14231. Assess wet walkways and slopes carefully.
Cleaning and treatments
Use cleaning products compatible with the stone. Limestones such as Trani/Antiqua may be dulled by acids. An impregnating sealer can limit stain absorption, but does not automatically increase load capacity or frost resistance.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPARISON
Beyond rankings.
Which stone is the most resistant overall?
There is no answer that applies to every project. Comparing two products requires test data for the same property obtained using the same method, as well as checks on thickness, finish and installation.
Is porphyry always harder than Luserna stone?
The product pages consulted do not allow the supplies to be ranked by scratch resistance. Moreover, superior scratch resistance does not prove greater flexural strength or frost resistance.
Is Trani stone the same range called Antiqua?
On this website, Trani stone corresponds to the Antiqua range in the Pietrarredo catalogue. The variants have their own formats and finishes: check the one stated in the linked product details.