If you’ve ever shopped for jewelry, you’ve probably seen the terms “carat” and “karat.” They sound almost the same, but they mean very different things. Let’s break it down so it sticks!
Carat – For Gemstones
“Carat” (with a “C”) refers to the weight of a gemstone, such as a diamond. It helps describe how big or heavy the stone is. The higher the carat number, the heavier and larger the gemstone.
For example:
• 1 carat equals 0.2 grams (about the weight of a paperclip).
• A 2-carat diamond is heavier and larger than a 1-carat diamond.
However, bigger isn’t always better. The quality of a gemstone also depends on its clarity, color, and cut, not just its weight in carats.
Karat – For Gold
“Karat” (with a “K”) refers to the purity of gold. Pure gold is soft, so it’s usually mixed with other metals to make it more durable. Karats tell us how much of the metal is pure gold.
For example:
• 24K gold is 100% pure gold.
• 18K gold is 75% pure gold (18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals (like copper or silver)).
• 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold (14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals).
The higher the karat number, the more gold content it has.
The Key Difference:
While carat measures the weight of gemstones, like diamonds, karat measures the purity of gold. Carat focuses on how large or heavy a gemstone is, while karat tells you how pure the gold in a piece of jewelry is. So, think of carat for gems and karat for gold—two different measures for two different things in the jewelry world!
How to Remember the Difference:
• Carat with a “C” = Carrot-shaped gemstones (weight of gems like diamonds).
• Karat with a “K” = Gold Karat (purity of gold).
Now you know the difference! Whether you’re choosing a dazzling diamond or picking the perfect gold ring, understanding carat and karat will make your jewelry shopping much easier.
Carat – For Gemstones
“Carat” (with a “C”) refers to the weight of a gemstone, such as a diamond. It helps describe how big or heavy the stone is. The higher the carat number, the heavier and larger the gemstone.
For example:
• 1 carat equals 0.2 grams (about the weight of a paperclip).
• A 2-carat diamond is heavier and larger than a 1-carat diamond.
However, bigger isn’t always better. The quality of a gemstone also depends on its clarity, color, and cut, not just its weight in carats.
Karat – For Gold
“Karat” (with a “K”) refers to the purity of gold. Pure gold is soft, so it’s usually mixed with other metals to make it more durable. Karats tell us how much of the metal is pure gold.
For example:
• 24K gold is 100% pure gold.
• 18K gold is 75% pure gold (18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals (like copper or silver)).
• 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold (14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals).
The higher the karat number, the more gold content it has.
The Key Difference:
While carat measures the weight of gemstones, like diamonds, karat measures the purity of gold. Carat focuses on how large or heavy a gemstone is, while karat tells you how pure the gold in a piece of jewelry is. So, think of carat for gems and karat for gold—two different measures for two different things in the jewelry world!
How to Remember the Difference:
• Carat with a “C” = Carrot-shaped gemstones (weight of gems like diamonds).
• Karat with a “K” = Gold Karat (purity of gold).
Now you know the difference! Whether you’re choosing a dazzling diamond or picking the perfect gold ring, understanding carat and karat will make your jewelry shopping much easier.