In one of our previous articles we already explained to you about the carat weight, but is carat in diamonds the same as karat in gold? That’s what we will help you to figure out today.
The short answer is – no, it is not the same. The carat weight for diamonds and gold is not the same. Carat (ct) as a weight measure is used for measuring the mass of gemstones, especially diamonds, where one carat equals 200 milligrams (0.2 grams). On the other hand, karat (K or kt) as a purity measure is used for measuring the gold content in an alloy. Pure gold is denoted as 24 karats (24K), meaning it is 100% gold. Alloys containing less gold will have a lower karat value, such as 18K (75% gold), 14K (58.3% gold), and so on.
Therefore, carat for diamonds measures weight, while karat for gold measures the purity of the metal.
The most common karat ratings for gold include:
24K: 100% pure gold (99.9% or more). It is soft and has a distinct bright yellow color.
22K: Approximately 91.6% gold, with the remaining 8.4% consisting of other metals. It is more durable than 24K gold but still relatively soft.
18K: Approximately 75% gold, with 25% other metals. It has a good balance of purity and durability, making it popular for fine jewelry.
14K: Approximately 58.3% gold, with 41.7% other metals. It is more durable than 18K and has a slightly lighter color.
12K: Approximately 50% gold, with 50% other metals. It is less common and used in some types of jewelry and decorative objects.
10K: Approximately 41.7% gold, with 58.3% other metals. It is very durable and has a pale yellow color.
9K: Approximately 37.5% gold, with 62.5% other metals. It is popular in some regions, such as the UK and Australia.
8K: Approximately 33.3% gold, with 66.7% other metals. It is the minimum standard for gold in some countries.
For gold, the term “karat” originated from the same historical roots as “carat” but adapted to fit the needs of goldsmiths and jewelers who needed a way to denote the proportion of gold in an alloy. Using the same term with slightly different spelling (the first letter is different) helped maintain a connection to their shared origin while distinguishing their specific applications.
However, take into consideration that in some other countries like Russia, for example, the measurement system for gold purity is different and uses a fineness system, which indicates the purity of gold in parts per thousand.
Here’s a comparison between the two systems:
24 karat gold is equivalent to 999 or 1000 fineness (pure gold).
22 karat gold is equivalent to 916 fineness (91.6% pure gold).
18 karat gold is equivalent to 750 fineness (75% pure gold).
14 karat gold is equivalent to 585 fineness (58.5% pure gold).
10 karat gold is equivalent to 417 fineness (41.7% pure gold).
9 karat gold is equivalent to 375 fineness (37.5% pure gold).
8 karat gold is equivalent to 333 fineness (33.3% pure gold).
Now, when you know that in terms of gold, “karat” is used not for its weight but for its clarity indication, you are probably curious what is used to measure the weight of gold? That is a “troy ounce”, which got its name from the French market town of Troyes where English merchants traded yet in the early 9th century. One troy ounce is equal to approximately 31.1 grams.
The post This Is How Karats in Gold Differ From Carats in Diamonds appeared first on The Fashiongton Post.