Jeweled bearings fan?

[wimms]

Hi,

Can someone explain to me why there exist no fans with jeweled bearings? It seems very suitable bearing type for no noise and high wear resistence. And price could be managed okay, no need to put diamonds in there. Is there any kind of inherent problem with that type of bearings that I'm unaware of?

[Kobuchi]

Well it's true that fans, being delicately balanced, may have fragile (or brittle) bearings.

Ball bearings might make more noise if jewels because the necessary play between balls on a race makes them clink. That's a rattle when fast, and a buzz or hum at higher speeds. Jewels would clink louder, I guess. Packing the races with thick grease and sealing them is out of the question for tiny fan bearings.

Jewelled roller bearings should perform wonderfully. Cost? Balls are cheaper. Steel is cheaper.