The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I came upon this pretty extensive article about synthetic rubies and figured I'd share it.

http://www.answers.com/topic/synthetic-ruby

Some interesting tidbits:

-Ruby bearings in your watch and the crystal on the face of your watch are both made of te crystalline form of aluminum oxide. Small amounts of chromium is what gives rubies their reddish hue.

-The synthesis of industrial grade rubies can be completed in two ways. The first way is a "hot" process by which the temperatures/pressures that form real rubies are simulated with torches/crucibles (2000C). The material is melted, then cooled in a controlled manner to form the desired crystal structure. This process is a lot like the production of hard candy.

The second, "cold" method relies on the precipitation of aluminum oxide out of relativly volatile solvent. This process is a lot like how rock candy is made. A super-saturated solution is made and the material comes out of solution onto "nucleation" sites, forming near perfect crystals.

- The rubies, once grown are cut to size, diamond-polished, and flame-glossed to a perfect finish.

I'm planning on a patent search to see of I can dig anything more interesting up about the production process.

Happy reading!

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Interesting read. Thank you for posting.

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Steelfish GMT LE (white)