A common belief that “9H” tempered glass is nearly as hard as diamonds is a misconception. The 9H rating refers to a pencil hardness test, measuring resistance to scratches, not overall hardness like the Mohs scale used for minerals. It indicates the type of pencil lead that will scratch the glass, with 9H being the hardest. This rating does *not* translate to comparable durability to diamond, which sits at a 10 on the Mohs scale. Manufacturers use the 9H designation to market tempered glass for phone screens and other devices, often leading consumers to overestimate its resistance to damage. The misunderstanding stems from a lack of awareness about the test’s limitations and the vast difference between scratch resistance and absolute hardness. Ultimately, while 9H glass offers improved scratch resistance, it's still susceptible to breaking under pressure.