Apple’s second-generation iMessiah Tim Cook is taking his chosen people into the desert of Arizona, and if the plan works, they will be there for more than 40 days and nights.

Apple wants to open a manufacturing plant in Arizona in partnership with mineral crystal specialist GT Advanced Technologie. The idea is to make sapphire materials for Apple's popular electronics devices. It will mean that Apple will create 700 manufacturing jobs in the first year and 1,300 construction and associated jobs.

Apple confirmed the plan, but would not say exactly what components would be made at the new facility or what products they would appear in.

GT specializes in "crystal growth equipment" for consumer electronics and other industries. There have been reports that device makers are looking at sapphire crystal for use in screens.