WatchTech - New watch glass(crystal) which is harder than sapphire..(more than 60%)

New watch glass(crystal) which is harder than sapphire..(more than 60%)

May 08, 2017,22:42 PM

Hello ~~

I have a something to tell........(sorry that bad English)

I know that many watch brand use sapphire glass. because of hardness.

There is new glass material which is harder than sapphire. more than 60%

It is "Moissanite"

Actually moissanite is human made gemstone.(lab grown synthesis gemsotne)

toughness is similar with sapphire. but hardness is much better..!!

let me show you this graph.!

MOHS SCALE ----->>>>> moissanite : 9.25 sapphire : 9 it is not big different. but it is not true.

KNOOP SCALE ----->>>>> moissanite : 2925 sapphire : 1800 it is big different. this is right.!!

It mean moissanite glass is very strong at scratch.!!!

of course ...... it is not difficult to make watch glass because diamond is much much harder. (Diamond knoop hardness:7000)

I have question ???? please~~

1. If watch brand use moissanite for glass, do you think it is good or not ???

2. Do you think sapphire glass strong enough ????

3. If i use moissanite for glass, is there any problem ????

last >>>> moissanite was founded at "Meteorites". it mean moissanite come from space.~~

so i made the name "star crystal glass"

thank you for read and i am so sorry that my bad English....

have a nice day~~

moissanite ingot

Comments: view entire thread

Good question

By: Esharp : May 9th, 2017-00:24

Hi Sonseik, really interesting idea here. I wonder if moissanite can be easily machined to be useful for watch components (crystal, case etc) and how the costs would stack up compared to synthetic sapphire. Best E.

+1

By: Alkiro1 : May 9th, 2017-03:17

Excellent questions. Machine sapphire glasses is already tough and long so this "Moissanite" could be dedicated to exceptional timepieces but not for mass production before a long time. Best wishes Alkiro

Reply is late..!! I think it can be made very easily.

By: sonseik : May 10th, 2017-15:57

Because we can use the same machine for sawing, polishing...... because diamond hardness is much higher than moissanite.!! And the small problem is cost.!!!! That is true, moissanite is more expensive than sapphire. I think because of patent.!! Actually m...

Thank you for the discovery

By: Alkiro1 : May 9th, 2017-03:17

Best wishes Alkiro

Thanks for bringing this to our attention

By: DonCorson : May 9th, 2017-04:22

A quick look on the net tells us that Moissanite (named after the man who first discovered it in 1893, Henri Moissan) is a crystaline form of silicon carbide. I see no reason why it couldn't be used as a watch glass as the optical properties seem to be go...

I tried to get Mrs E to accept the idea of a moissanite engagement ring

By: Esharp : May 9th, 2017-06:55

Never thought much of diamonds so I didn't see I should spend more on a 'real' (naturally occurring) stone than a perfect man-made one. Not to mention I generally think engagement rings are a ridiculous invention. Yeah, I lost. We always do. Mrs E at leas...

Thank you for reply

By: sonseik : May 9th, 2017-20:21

I worry about cost too.... i know that moissanite is more expensive than sapphire now. I think.... because of patent.!! The patent was appied at 1996, So it has been finished just last year.!! China company just start to mas product last year(i guess) so ...

Moissanite tends to be yellowish

By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : May 9th, 2017-14:40

Clear moissanite sans yellow is super expensive. Until that's solved, It's a no-go.

Thank you for reply.!!

By: sonseik : May 9th, 2017-16:08

Yes .!! You are right ! moissanite is more expensive than sapphire. I think the reason is patent.!! Moissanite patent was applied at 1996 !! It mean 20year later, patent has been finished at 2016...... i don't know how to explain.!!!!! The point .----- Ma...

The color will be key [nt]

By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : May 9th, 2017-17:31

Hello~

By: sonseik : September 21st, 2017-16:18

I still study.~ I think there is way to make color better.!! I need your advice please.~~~ Thank you.~~ Have a good day~~ ...