Sapphire Crystal vs Mineral Crystal: What’s the Difference?
A watch has different components, each of which serves a different function. One such component which provides a transparent covering to the watch dial is the crystal. The crystal comes in different shapes and sizes.
Also, there are different varieties of crystal available, and the price of the crystal will depend on the type of crystal being used in the watch.
Two of the most popular choices of crystals include sapphire crystal and mineral crystal. Each of these two crystals has different characteristics and associated costs.
So which crystal is the best choice for watches? To answer that, we have come up with a brief overview of these two types of crystals.
Sapphire crystal watch and mineral crystal watch: The basics
Sapphire crystals watch are the most expensive kind of crystals available to us. These crystals can give the watch a sophisticated look and are highly durable.
They have a rank of 9 on the Mohs scale. They are of unmatched quality and stand out as one of the best kinds of crystals for watchmaking.
Sapphire crystals are also one of the most preferred choice of crystals for luxury crystals.
Mineral crystals watch, on the other hand, are a cheaper alternative. They serve as a cost-effective choice of watch for the watchmakers.
These crystals are also quite good to look at and give the watch an elegant finish. The mineral crystals rank 5 to 7 on the Mohs scale.
They are also quite lightweight and reduce the overall weight of the watch, making it more convenient for the wearer to keep wearing the watch throughout the day.
Both these types of crystals are used quite frequently for watch manufacturing. In fact, most luxury watches are either made of sapphire or mineral crystals.
They have a big role to play in determining how the watch will look. They also enhance the durability of the watch and give it an enhanced finish.
So, if you are about to enter the watch business, you must have a clear idea of these crystal types.
Know more about Leedon Watch Service:
Sapphire Crystal Overview
What is a sapphire crystal?
Sapphire crystals watch are one of the premium varieties of crystals used for watch making. These crystals were first used in 1902[1].
After Rolex started using these crystals in the 1970s[2], they became a popular choice of crystals for watches from various popular brands. Rolex has also launched a special green sapphire for their watches.
The crystal is produced in the lab using highly complicated procedures under high temperature. This makes them scratch-resistant.
The sapphire crystals are also the hardest kind of crystal available to us which contributes to the elongated lifespan of these watches.
The sapphire crystals are made of synthetic sapphire, a transparent form of aluminium oxide. Today, brands like Omega, Montblanc regularly use these crystals for designing sapphire crystal watch.
The crystal also has a high regard in the watch industry. However, the sapphire crystals are reflective and come with an anti-reflective coating. This coating can reduce the reflection to a great extent. The coating can also avoid scratching the surface of the sapphire material, allowing you to see the time quite clearly.
The high cost of sapphire crystals is mainly because of the process used in manufacturing these crystals. Many pricey tools and equipment are used to cut and polish the crystals which further contributes to an increased price.
Nowadays, many brands are also using sapphire-coated mineral crystals for their sapphire crystal watch. These watches are available at lower prices than pure sapphire watches.
Advantages of crystal sapphires:
High quality:
Sapphire crystals are one of the premium varieties of crystals available to us because of their high quality. They are most used for luxury watches and stand out in watchmaking. The watches made of sapphire crystals also have a superior finish.
Scratch resistance:
These crystals offer scratch resistance to the watch, making them a perfect choice for luxury watches. The same sapphire crystal watch can be worn for years, and you will still look elegant. They will add a touch of sophistication to your entire look and will make you a part of the elite club.
Good clarity:
Sapphire watches offer excellent clarity. However, because of a low refractive index, they reflect light easily, so they mostly come with an anti-reflective coating. The coating is applied on the sapphire material so that the rate of reflection is reduced and you can check the time without any hindrance.
Durability:
The sapphire crystals are highly durable and do not get damaged easily, even if you keep wearing the watch regularly. This is why sapphire watches are so frequently passed down from generation to generation. However, they have a tendency to get chipped which is why you need to take special care of the watches.
Thermal stability:
Sapphire crystals are quite well-known for their high level of thermal stability. They can withstand high temperatures without getting damaged in any way. So, people who live in areas experiencing rapid temperature fluctuations and go for sapphire crystal watches.
Disadvantages of sapphire crystals:
Expensive: The crystals are expensive. So, the watches made of sapphire crystals are also quite expensive and are classified as luxury watches.
Brittle nature: Despite the hardness of the sapphire crystals, they can be brittle. They are quite prone to chipping under excess pressure. So, extra care must be taken with these watches so they do not get chipped.
Heavyweight: The sapphire crystals are heavier than other crystals. This causes the watch to weigh significantly, which is not the case for mineral crystals. However, nowadays, lightweight varieties of these watches are also being introduced in the market.
Limited size availability: Sapphire crystals are available in limited sizes and are restricted by application. However, nowadays, innovative technologies are being used to make use of sapphire crystals effectively.
Mineral Crystal Overview
What is a mineral crystal?
Mineral crystals watch were the first crystals to be used for watch making. These crystals started to be used in the watch making process during the early 1800s.[3]
In earlier days, these crystals were easily prone to shattering. However, nowadays, they are tempered with heat treatment. This makes them harder and stronger.
They are also a lot more scratch-resistant as compared to plastic and acrylic dial protectors. However, they are not as durable as sapphire crystals.
You will find mineral crystals in mid-tier watch brands as they are inexpensive yet offer good clarity. These crystals also add an elegant touch to the watches making them a really popular choice of crystals among watchmakers out there. The sapphire crystals are also quite sophisticated to look at, and they will make you stand out from the crowd.
The mineral crystals are mostly made from silica and regular tempered glass. These crystals also come with reflective properties, strength, and clarity.
You will also find an anti-reflective coating on certain mineral crystals to reduce their reflective nature, making it easier for people to check the time.
You will also find many top brands using mineral crystals nowadays for mineral crystal watch.
Advantages of mineral crystals:
Low price:
Mineral crystals are available at a lower price, making them a suitable option for mid-tier watches. However, nowadays, many luxury watches also come with mineral crystals.
Durability:
These crystals are quite durable, especially when they are heat treated. This makes them a popular choice of crystals for watches.
Impact resistance:
Mineral crystals are resistant to different kinds of impacts. They are not as brittle as compared to the sapphire crystals.
Lightweight:
The crystals have a lighter weight as compared to sapphire crystals. So, if you don’t want a watch that is too heavy for your hands, a better option would be to go for mineral watches.
Disadvantages of mineral crystals:
Chemical susceptibility:
The crystals are susceptible to chemical damage when exposed to harsh chemicals. So, you must ensure that your watch does not come in contact with chemical substances.
Temperature limitation:
Mineral crystals have low thermal stability as compared to the sapphire crystal. They are easily affected by thermal expansion and contraction.
Key Differences: Sapphire Crystal Watch vs Mineral Crystal Watch
Sapphire and mineral are two popular choices of crystals and are used quite frequently by watchmakers worldwide. However, there are certain points of difference between these two crystal types.
So, it is important that you remain aware of the differences and then pick the right kind of crystal for your watch. Here we have come up with certain differences between these two crystal types:
Quality:
Sapphire crystals are of better quality as compared to mineral crystals. These crystals have an elegant touch and remain as they are for years.
However, sapphire crystals are brittle and easily shatter under stress which is again not the case for mineral crystals. They do not shatter easily, even if put under high impact.
Scratch-resistance:
Sapphire crystals have excellent scratch-resistant properties. Mineral crystals, on the other hand, are not that scratch resistant. This makes sapphire crystals a suitable choice for all those who have a thing for premium quality watches.
Sapphire crystals are also a popular choice of crystals for some of the top watch brands from all across the world.
Durability:
The durability of the sapphire crystals cannot be matched. They are more durable than most other materials. Mineral crystals are also quite durable but less than sapphire.
Nowadays, sapphire-coated mineral crystals are also available. This is meant to enhance the durability of mineral crystals so that they can be worn for years.
Cost:
Sapphire crystals are expensive, so watches with sapphire crystals have a higher price tag. Mineral watches are, however, a cost-effective option.
So, a mineral crystal watch is the most suitable option for all those looking forward to buying a watch within a budget. But if you prefer a luxury watch, then crystal sapphire would be your choice of material.
Material:
Sapphire crystals are mostly made of aluminium oxide with traces of chromium, titanium and iron. Mineral crystals, on the other hand, can be formed by various minerals, including quartz, calcite, etc. The sapphire crystals are known for their vibrant blue colour.
However, nowadays, they come in other shades also. Mineral crystals can display a wide range of colours and appearances, depending on the kind of minerals used for manufacturing the crystal.
Leedon Watch- Best watch manufacturer in 2023
The watch market has grown at a very fast pace over the past few years. In 2018, the market was worth $18 billion. However, by 2025, it is expected to be $30 billion [4]which is indeed a huge jump.
There is also a huge craze among the people for luxury watches which are mostly made out of sapphire or mineral crystals. Infact, Rolex manufactures over a million watches every year[5].
So, if you are willing to start your watch business, then it is high time that you reach out to Leedon and get the best quality watches from them on a budget.
Leedon Watch is one of the most popular custom watch manufacturers. The company manufactures, produces and exports different kinds of watches and watch accessories.
Every single watch manufactured by Leedon is of superior quality. The watches are also available at budget-friendly costs.
Leedon is known to offer highly professional services to B2B companies. Their extensive industry knowledge, professional attitude, and quality of work keep them above the crowd.
The company also provides products to various countries across the world. Leedon is also the manufacturer of different kinds of automatic watches. These watches are highly versatile and will give you a stunning appearance.
Leedon is also one of the most popular ODM-OEDM watch companies. With Leedon, you will find launching your brand of watches easy. You can also get various watches depending on your needs and preferences. This can give your watch business a tremendous boost, and in no time, you will become an industry leader.
So, get in touch with Leedon today and get the best quality watches from them at affordable prices. This is going to give your watch business an excellent boost.
Reference：
[1] Why do Watches Use Sapphire Crystals? A Brief History and a Few Altern | Teddy Baldassarre
[2] When did Rolex Change to Sapphire Crystal? A Guide to Rolex Crystals – Millenary Watches
[3] https://www.mindat.org/article.php/4328/Minerals+used+in+watches
[4] Watches Industry Statistics & Analysis – Davosa USA (davosa-usa.com)
[5] https://davosa-usa.com/blogs/story-time/luxury-watches-industry-statistics-industry-analysis
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At Leedon Watch Co.Limited,we manufacture, produce and export watches and watch accessories. We offer a wide range of OEM and ODM services in order to provide you with complete creative and technical control for your designs and requirements.