Talc is the softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale with a rating of 1, meaning it can be scratched by any other mineral. It's so soft that you can scratch it with your fingernail. Diamond is the hardest mineral (rating 10), quartz is relatively hard (rating 7), and fluorite falls in the middle (rating 4). Talc's softness makes it useful in products like talcum powder, baby powder, and cosmetics.