Why is sapphire glass expensive?

Sapphire glass is a superior material renowned for its exceptional hardness, durability, and scratch resistance. The high cost of sapphire glass is attributed to a number of factors, including:

1. Material cost

Sapphire is a crystalline form of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) that is meticulously cultivated in the laboratory using specialized methods such as the Verneuil method or the Kyropoulos method. The process of cultivating sapphire crystals is intricate and time-consuming, necessitating high temperatures, controlled environments, and specialized equipment. In summary, sapphire glass commands a higher price due to the relatively higher cost of raw materials compared to other types of glass.

2. Highmelting point

Sapphire glass has a extremely high melting point of approximately 2040°C (3704°F) and requires specialized furnaces and energy-intensive processes to be melted and shaped. The high melting point of sapphire glass makes its manufacturing process more challenging and costly than that of other types of glass.

3. Difficulty in cutting and moulding

Sapphire is one of the hardest known materials, with a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamond. Its high hardness renders the cutting, shaping and polishing of sapphire glass extremely challenging and time-consuming, necessitating specialized tools and professional knowledge. The high cost of cutting and moulding sapphire glass further increases its overall expenditure.

4. Low yields

The production of sapphire glass involves a large amount of waste, as the material is difficult to cut and shape, resulting in low yields. This means that a large amount of sapphire material is wasted in the manufacturing process, further driving up costs.

5. Demand and availability

Sapphire glass is widely employed in high-end applications, including premium watches, camera lenses, and high-performance windows for aerospace and defence applications. The demand for sapphire glass in these industries is relatively modest, and the availability of high-quality sapphire materials may be limited, resulting in higher prices.

6. Professional applications

Sapphire glass is frequently employed in specialized applications that necessitate its distinctive properties, including high strength, scratch resistance, and optical transparency. As a result of the enhanced value that sapphire glass brings to these applications, such as luxury watches or high-end smartphones, they often command a premium price.

The high cost of sapphire glass can be attributed to a variety of factors such as raw material costs, challenging manufacturing processes, low yield, limited availability, and the need for specialized applications. All these factors have led to the high price of sapphire glass.