Explanation

A jewel bearing is a plain bearing in which a metal spindle turns in a jewel-lined pivot hole. The hole is typically shaped like a torus and is slightly larger than the shaft diameter. The jewels are typically made from the mineral corundum, usually either synthetic sapphire or synthetic ruby. Jewel bearings are used in precision instruments where low friction, long life, and dimensional accuracy are important. Their largest use is in mechanical watches.

The other major use of jeweled bearings is in sensitive mechanical measuring instruments. They are typically used for delicate linkages that must carry very small forces, in instruments such as galvanometers (PMMC), compasses, gyroscopes, gimbals, dial indicators, dial calipers, and turbine flow meters.