Toughness

In jewelry, toughness refers to a material's resistance to breaking, cracking, or chipping under force.

Part of speech: noun
Definition: Toughness is a critical property for materials used in jewelry, indicating how well a gemstone, metal, or other material can withstand stress or pressure without fracturing. Unlike hardness, which measures a material's resistance to being scratched, toughness is about the durability and resilience of a material when subjected to sudden impacts or bending forces. This makes toughness particularly important for items like rings and bracelets, which are more likely to experience rough handling or accidental bumps. Materials with higher toughness ratings are preferred for everyday jewelry, as they are more likely to maintain their integrity and appearance over time without succumbing to damage.