What's the Difference Between Carat and Karat?

When diving into the world of jewelry, two terms that often come up are carat and karat. Despite sounding similar, these terms refer to completely different things. Understanding the distinction between carat and karat is essential for anyone interested in purchasing fine jewelry.

1. Definition

Carat is a unit of weight used to measure gemstones and diamonds. One carat equals 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. Karat, on the other hand, measures the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats.

2. Usage

Carat is exclusively used to describe the weight of gemstones. Karat is used to describe the gold content in an alloy.

3. Symbol

Carat is abbreviated as 'ct' or 'CT'. Karat is abbreviated as 'K' or 'KT'.

4. Measurement

Carat is a metric measurement. Karat is a fractional measure of purity out of 24 parts.

5. Origin

The term carat originates from the carob seed, which was historically used to balance scales. Karat comes from the Arabic word 'qirat', meaning a small weight or measure.

6. Value Indication

Higher carat weight generally means a more valuable gemstone. Higher karat means purer gold, which is more valuable.

7. Common Misconceptions

People often confuse carat with size. However, carat refers to weight, not size. Similarly, karat should not be confused with carat, which leads to misunderstandings in jewelry descriptions.

8. Gold Alloys

Gold jewelry is often mixed with other metals to increase durability. For instance, 18K gold is 75% pure gold mixed with 25% other metals.

9. Impact on Jewelry

The carat of a gemstone impacts its price and appearance. The karat of gold affects its color and strength; for example, 14K gold is more durable than 24K gold due to the added metals.

10. Examples in Jewelry

Explore our collection to see the difference yourself. Check out our diamond jewelry measured in carats and our gold jewelry in various karats.

Understanding the difference between carat and karat can help you make more informed decisions when purchasing jewelry. At Robinson's Jewelers, we're here to guide you through your choices with our extensive collection of diamond jewelry and gold jewelry. Happy shopping!