1. Diamonds
Diamonds are among the most popular and expensive gemstones in the world, and are widely used in jewellery for their brilliance and their scintillation. These stones are also the hardest natural materials on Earth (rating in at a perfect 10 on the Mohs Scale) and have been used extensively in a variety of industries other than jewellery. Diamonds have excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties and their plethora of industrial applications include cutting, polishing, and drilling. The mining, construction, and oil exploration industries rely heavily on diamond-tipped tools for their operations. Diamond-tipped saws and drills can cut through the toughest materials with ease, making diamond one of the most effective cutting materials in the world.
Diamonds are also used in the production of high-performance electronics, such as transistors, due to their exceptional electrical and thermal properties. Diamond films are used in the manufacture of electronic devices like solar cells and transistors due to their unique electrical properties. Diamonds can also be used to create radiation detectors and electrochemical sensors.
Figure 1: A Diamond-tip drilling tool
2. Sapphires
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral Corundum, and their beautiful range of colours makes them a popular choice for jewellery. However, the sapphire is also incredibly durable and scratch-resistant (rating in at 9 on the Mohs Scale), making it ideal for high-tech devices. Sapphires’ durability makes them ideal for use in watch faces and covers as these stones resists scratches and abrasions. Their optical properties also make them ideal for use in lenses, prisms, and other optical components in scientific and industrial instruments.
Sapphire is also used in blue LED lights, which have a wide range of applications, including in traffic lights and electronic displays. Blue LED lights are also used in backlighting for televisions and computer screens, as well as in medical applications. Sapphire is also used in laser components due to its unique optical properties. Its high refractive index and low absorption of light make it ideal for laser applications, such as in surgical procedures and scientific research.
3. Rubies
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum, and its deep red colour makes it one of the most valuable gemstones in the world. Ruby is also used in a variety of industrial applications due to its unique properties. Ruby is highly resistant to corrosion and is used in the production of chemical processing equipment. Its high melting point and hardness also make it ideal for use in high-temperature applications, such as in furnace linings and gas turbines.
Ruby is also used in the production of lasers, including those used in medical applications. Ruby lasers are used in various medical procedures, including tattoo removal and skin resurfacing. Ruby is also used in the production of watch bearings, which require materials that are highly wear-resistant and durable.
Figure 2: A watch complication with Pink Sapphire crystals
4. Emeralds
Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl, and its green colour makes it a popular choice for jewellery. However, emeralds are also used in various industrial applications due to their unique properties. Emeralds are highly resistant to corrosion, making them an ideal material for use in chemical processing equipment. These gemstones are also used in optical components due to their high refractive index and low absorption of light.
Emeralds are also used in the production of lasers and other high-tech devices. Their unique optical properties make them ideal for use in lasers, especially in medical applications such as ophthalmology. Emerald lasers are used in medical procedures, such as eye surgery, due to their ability to deliver high-energy pulses of light.
5. Garnets
Garnet is a group of minerals that are used in a variety of industrial applications due to their hardness and durability. Garnets are used in abrasive blasting, which involves directing a stream of abrasive material onto a surface to remove unwanted coatings. These gemstones are also used in waterjet cutting, a process that uses high-pressure water to cut through materials.
Garnets are also used as a substrate material for the growth of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which are used in the production of LED lights, power electronics, and other electronic devices. The properties of a garnet make it an ideal material for growing high-quality GaN crystals, which are essential for the production of high-performance electronic devices.
6. Quartz
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, and it has a wide range of applications in high-tech devices. Quartz crystals can vibrate at precise frequencies, which makes them ideal for use in watches, clocks, and computers. Quartz oscillators are used in electronic devices, such as radio receivers and digital clocks, to generate accurate and stable frequencies. Quartz is also used in the production of glass and ceramics due to its high-temperature stability.
Quartz's properties make it essential in the manufacturing of semiconductors, which are used in a wide range of electronic devices. Quartz is used as a substrate material for the growth of silicon, which is used in the production of computer chips. Quartz also has piezoelectric properties, which means that it generates an electrical charge when compressed. This property makes quartz ideal for use in devices with pressure sensors.
Figure 3: A Quartz crystal resonator, used in radios, cell phones, and time-keeping devices
When considering the use of gemstones in industrial and technological applications, it is important to note that not all gemstones are created equal. The specific properties of each stone make it suitable for different applications. In addition to their specific properties, gemstones must also be of high quality to be suitable for industrial and technological applications. High-quality gemstones are more expensive, but they are also more reliable and provide better performance in the applications they are used in. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that the demand for gemstones in industrial and technological applications will only increase, making it essential to ensure their ethical and sustainable production.
