arty909 0 Posted January 4, 2009 Hi guys- Are the red jewels in my (or any rep) 17 jewel Fiddy from Andrew, rubies? If so, are they genuine? Seems like a tiny chip off an expensive stone would not cost an arm and a leg, so maybe they are? Your thoughts are appreciated. Apologies if this has been discussed before... Ciao, Arty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted January 4, 2009 Hi guys- Are the red jewels in my (or any rep) 17 jewel Fiddy from Andrew, rubies? If so, are they genuine? Seems like a tiny chip off an expensive stone would not cost an arm and a leg, so maybe they are? Your thoughts are appreciated. Apologies if this has been discussed before... Ciao, Arty It's synthetic sapphires, even in genuine watches nobody use real gems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllergyDoc 40 Posted January 4, 2009 "Jewels" = plastic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted January 4, 2009 "Jewels" = plastic Today, the functional jewels used in watch and clockmaking are made from synthetic corundum, most often in its "ruby" state. These synthetic, typically flawless, stones are created thanks to a method developed by Verneuil in 1892. In practice, synthetic ruby has many great advantages. It is very resistant to wear due to its hardness (9 on the Mohs scale). Its coefficient of expansion is negligible under the effects of heat and cold. It is by no means magnetic, and it is very chemically stable. Production of synthetic corundum is complex and expensive process, involving extreme temperatures, precision, and utmost cleanliness of the materials and tools. The level of quality and micro-proportions of these jewels, as demanded by the watchmaking industry, requires that these components be manufactured in a nearly perfect way. In addition to such demanding specifications, the jewels must also be highly polished, in order that friction may be reduced to a minimum where these parts come into contact with other components of a watch. Furthermore, in some cases, the surface of these pieces also undergo special treatment to augment the physical properties of the lubricants used on the contact surfaces. http://hiro.alliancehorlogere.com/en Under the Loupe chart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted January 4, 2009 Yup, they are precious stone - but synthetic (real, but man-made) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onzenuub 294 Posted January 4, 2009 Yup, they are precious stone - but synthetic (real, but man-made) Like rep stones? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted January 4, 2009 Yup, they are precious stone - but synthetic (real, but man-made) Like rep stones? precisely Share this post Link to post Share on other sites