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I've now read that Apple Watch Edition gold has more gold per unit volume (this article, [0]), and less gold per unit volume ([1], [2]). Which is it? [0] http:

by gnoway 12y ago

I've now read that Apple Watch Edition gold has more gold per unit volume (this article, [0]), and less gold per unit volume ([1], [2]). Which is it? [0] http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/03/is-apples-real-watch-innovation-a-gold-case-thats-as-tough-as-steel/ http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/03/is-apples-real-watch-in... [1] http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?PageNum=0&docid=20140361670 http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?PageNum=0&docid=20140361670 [2] http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-watch-special-gold-ceramic-alloy-2015-3?op=1 http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-watch-special-gold-cera...

Rexxar 12y ago
I think the reality is "more total atoms" and "less gold atoms" per unit of volume. Carat (for gold) is a ratio of mass. If you mix gold with a lighter element than usual you can put a bigger volume of the light element. That what people tell when there is "less gold". The light atom could be more packed if they have stronger chemical bonds, I think it's the case for ceramics. So there is more atoms (gold + others) per unit of volume.
542458 12y ago
More gold per unit volume than what? Early reports mistakenly reported that Apple was using a gold-ceramic mix, which would result in less gold used by total weight. However, these reports turned out to be nothing more than speculation, and Apple is apparently using a relatively normal high-end gold jewelry alloy (without ceramics). As such, the Apple watch should contain a fairly typical amount of Gold for it's volume.
jakobegger 12y ago
I'm pretty sure that Apple uses a very conventional gold alloy with a similar density as other gold alloys. Somewhere on their website they provide the weight of the cases and the bands. A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that their gold is twice as heavy as their stainless steel. They are pretty specific on the steel they use, so we know it's density is 8g/cm^3, meaning their gold is roughly 16g/cm^3. This means their gold is probably a completely normal alloy, not some ceramic composite as some people believe. We also see their yellow gold models are slightly heavier than the rose gold models, which is expected, since the silver/copper ratio is slightly larger in yellow gold, and silver is denser than copper. Sources: http://robservatory.com/the-all-in-one-apple-watch-spreadsheet/ http://robservatory.com/the-all-in-one-apple-watch-spreadshe... http://leancrew.com/all-this/2015/03/apple-gold/ http://leancrew.com/all-this/2015/03/apple-gold/

by gnoway 12y ago

Rexxar 12y ago

I think the reality is "more total atoms" and "less gold atoms" per unit of volume. Carat (for gold) is a ratio of mass. If you mix gold with a lighter element than usual you can put a bigger volume of the light element. That what people tell when there is "less gold". The light atom could be more packed if they have stronger chemical bonds, I think it's the case for ceramics. So there is more atoms (gold + others) per unit of volume.

542458 12y ago

More gold per unit volume than what? Early reports mistakenly reported that Apple was using a gold-ceramic mix, which would result in less gold used by total weight. However, these reports turned out to be nothing more than speculation, and Apple is apparently using a relatively normal high-end gold jewelry alloy (without ceramics). As such, the Apple watch should contain a fairly typical amount of Gold for it's volume.

jakobegger 12y ago

I'm pretty sure that Apple uses a very conventional gold alloy with a similar density as other gold alloys. Somewhere on their website they provide the weight of the cases and the bands. A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that their gold is twice as heavy as their stainless steel. They are pretty specific on the steel they use, so we know it's density is 8g/cm^3, meaning their gold is roughly 16g/cm^3. This means their gold is probably a completely normal alloy, not some ceramic composite as some people believe. We also see their yellow gold models are slightly heavier than the rose gold models, which is expected, since the silver/copper ratio is slightly larger in yellow gold, and silver is denser than copper. Sources: http://robservatory.com/the-all-in-one-apple-watch-spreadsheet/ http://robservatory.com/the-all-in-one-apple-watch-spreadshe... http://leancrew.com/all-this/2015/03/apple-gold/ http://leancrew.com/all-this/2015/03/apple-gold/