Apple currently uses sapphire in its products, namely in the lens for its iOS cameras, and recently as a layer over its home button on the iPhone 5s to help prevent scratches. Based on patents and rumors, it has been suggested that Apple might have more use for sapphire in the future and now according to an announcement made by the Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer, it looks like those rumors might actually be true. Brewer has announced that Apple will be opening a manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona, which will handle advanced sapphire manufacturing.
According to Brewer, “Apple is indisputably one of the world’s most innovative companies and I’m thrilled to welcome them to Arizona […] Apple will have an incredibly positive economic impact for Arizona and its decision to locate here speaks volumes about the friendly, pro-business climate we have been creating these past four years. Their investment in renewable energy will also be greening our power grid, and creating significant new solar and geothermal power sources for the state.” This move is also in line with Tim Cook’s plan which is to bring back some of the company’s outsourced manufacturing jobs to the US, with this particular facility expected to bring at least 2,000 new jobs to the state of Arizona and the US.