The difference between rubies and sapphires, which is better in the gem components of watches - ruby or sapphire? Ruby is a type of corundum and an important material for gem components in watches. The jewel bearings, pallet stones, and red decorative stones on the dial in watches are all made from processed rubies, commonly referred to as "diamonds" in watches. All rubies used in watches are artificially synthesized, also known as synthetic corundum. In all technical qualities, synthetic rubies are identical to natural rubies. The chemical composition of rubies is Al2O3, formed by the crystallization of aluminum sulfate and ammonium sulfide at high temperatures into powdered alumina (Al2O3), then cultivated in a growth furnace with hydrogen-oxygen gas to produce single-crystal corundum. Rubies appear red due to the partial replacement of aluminum ions (Al3+) in the Al2O3 lattice by chromium ions (Cr3+); as the concentration increases, the color deepens.
There are various methods for manufacturing synthetic rubies, such as flame fusion, Czochralski pulling, and heat exchange. Among these, the flame fusion method is currently the most important production method for synthetic rubies. Synthetic rubies, due to their high hardness (Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamonds), wear resistance, low friction coefficient, small thermal expansion coefficient, and stable physical and chemical properties, are widely used in instruments, watch bearings, and wear-resistant components of some precision machinery. Additionally, because of their vibrant color and good light transmission, they are also used as jewelry materials.
Sapphire, commonly known as blue corundum, is an important variety of artificial single crystals. It has the same lattice structure as synthetic rubies, both being Al2O3 single crystals, but it appears blue due to the presence of titanium, hence the name sapphire. Sapphires possess nearly identical physical and chemical properties to rubies. They have a high hardness of Mohs 9, are wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant, and exhibit excellent thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, and breathability. Due to its beautiful color and good light transmission, artificial sapphire is used in the watch industry to manufacture high-end watch glasses, known as sapphire glass. Because of its high hardness and excellent wear resistance, it is often referred to as "never-wearing glass."
-Al2O3 single crystals without impurities are colorless and transparent, known as colorless corundum or white sapphire. Colorless corundum, besides possessing all the characteristics of sapphires, has very high light transmission with a light transmittance of over 95%. Synthetic colorless corundum is also used to make watch glasses and retains the term "sapphire," still called sapphire glass or sapphire crystal glass. The production methods for sapphires and white sapphires are similar to those for rubies, including flame fusion, heat exchange, Czochralski pulling, temperature gradient orientation, and mold guidance. Currently, the flame fusion method remains the dominant one in production.
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