Which of the following best describes a gemstone's ability to resist wear and tear?

The ability of a gemstone to resist wear and tear is best described as durability. Durability encompasses various factors, including a gemstone's hardness, toughness, and stability. Hardness measures a stone's resistance to scratching, toughness refers to how well it can withstand breaking or chipping, and stability addresses how the gemstone reacts to environmental factors such as heat, light, and chemicals. All these elements combined determine how well a gemstone can endure everyday wear and continue to look appealing over time, making durability a crucial factor for those considering gemstones for jewelry or decorative uses.

Color intensity, cut quality, and size, while important attributes of gemstones, do not directly relate to their capacity to withstand damage or wear. Color intensity is associated with the richness and quality of a gem's hue, cut quality pertains to how well the gemstone has been shaped and faceted, and size generally refers to the dimensions or carat weight of the stone. While these attributes may affect a gemstone's visual appeal and market value, they do not influence its physical resilience against damage.