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What is the Difference Between a Carat and a Karat?

Ken Black
Ken Black

Often the source of much confusion, the difference between a karat and carat is fairly easy to understand, but may be somewhat hard to remember. A karat is simply a unit of measurement to indicate the purity of a metal, usually gold. The term carat is used to note the weight of a precious stone, especially diamonds.

The term karat is necessary, especially for gold, simply because the nature of the metal means it must be made into an alloy. Gold is a very soft metal that is not able to used practically as jewelry in its purest form. It would quickly become deformed and scratched. Therefore, jewelry makers must do something to fortify the metal. This task is accomplished by mixing gold with a harder metal.

Carat is used to describe the weight of a precious stone, such as diamonds.
Carat is used to describe the weight of a precious stone, such as diamonds.

The karat is responsible, in most cases, for determining the relative value of the gold piece. The difference in price between 10k, the lowest purity that gold can be and still be considered gold, and 18k, the highest purity of gold jewelry commonly available, can be significant. Gold designated as 10 karats is less than half gold, while eighteen karat gold is 75 percent gold. One that's twelve karats is half gold and half another metal or metals. While it is available for sale, it is not one of the most common purities.

Karat is used to describe the weight of precious metals, such as gold.
Karat is used to describe the weight of precious metals, such as gold.

The term carat applies to weight and is based on the metric system. One carat is 200 milligrams (seven-thousandths of an ounce). In other words, a precious stone weighing one gram (35-thousandths of an ounce) would be five carats. If the term is used correctly, any time one sees the word carat, it will apply to the weight of a precious stone, especially diamonds. If the weight is below one carat, the measurement is then often referred to as a fraction, usually a quarter, half or eighth of a carat.

Karat refers to the purity of a metal, usually gold, while carat denotes the weight or mass of a precious stone, like a diamond.
Karat refers to the purity of a metal, usually gold, while carat denotes the weight or mass of a precious stone, like a diamond.

While the karat is responsible for much of the worth of gold, the carat may be only one of the major factors reflecting the value of a precious stone, especially diamonds. The diamond quality is determined by the four C's: cut, clarity, carat, and color. The most valued diamonds are those that have good clarity and are colorless, but size also makes a difference.

It should also be noted while there are few diamonds weighing more than a couple of carats, other precious stones are commonly found weighing a dozen carats or more. Therefore, while size does matter and does help determine value, the type of stone is a critical factor. However, even in jewelry, bigger is not always better. Many precious stones are often cut down in size so that they can be placed in conventional jewelry.

Discussion Comments

wavy58

I always thought that “carat” and “karat” were the same thing. It's good to know what they actually mean.

I suppose now that if I go into a jewelry store that has a sign reading “one karat diamond rings,” I will know to leave immediately, because they don't know their carats from their karats. I only want to buy valuable items from reputable sellers, and this would be one indication of their expertise or lack thereof.

seag47

@giddion – Plated gold jewelry just has gold on the outside. Regular 14 karat gold jewelry is usually filled with gold.

You have to watch out for little terms like “plated.” Plated gold jewelry is not worth near as much as gold filled jewelry.

giddion

I'm a little confused when it comes to 14 karat gold jewelry. Some stores sell 14 karat plated gold items for a pretty cheap price, while others sell the same karat of gold jewelry for thousands of dollars. What am I missing here?

feasting

My fiancee and I didn't have much money before we got married, so we decided to look at simulated diamond rings instead of real ones. I was perfectly happy with a diamond that had been made in a lab, especially if the price tag was much lower.

We found a set of rings that only cost $200, and they were beautiful. The simulated diamond sparkled in the light, and it seemed to hold a rainbow of reflections.

We saw a similar set made with real diamonds of the same carat, and those rings cost over $2,000. I'm very happy to tell people about the carat of my engagement ring, because they are impressed and have no idea that we didn't spend a fortune on it.

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    • Carat is used to describe the weight of a precious stone, such as diamonds.
      By: Arsgera
      Carat is used to describe the weight of a precious stone, such as diamonds.
    • Karat is used to describe the weight of precious metals, such as gold.
      By: claffra
      Karat is used to describe the weight of precious metals, such as gold.
    • Karat refers to the purity of a metal, usually gold, while carat denotes the weight or mass of a precious stone, like a diamond.
      By: alarsonphoto
      Karat refers to the purity of a metal, usually gold, while carat denotes the weight or mass of a precious stone, like a diamond.