Gemstone jewellery has beauty and allure that can be described in many different ways, and various technical terms are used to refer to the quality and value of jewellery pieces.
'Carat' and 'karat' are terms commonly used when browsing or buying high-quality jewellery. Gold jewellery pieces often contain values relating to both terms, but they do, in fact, refer to entirely different things.
But don't worry — this blog post will explain the exact difference between these two common jewellery terms and how to understand them in the context of jewellery buying.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'CARAT' AND 'KARAT'
Although alike in pronounciation, the terms 'carat' and 'karat' differ in what they measure. Carat is the unit of measurement when weighing Diamonds and other gems; one carat is equal to 200 milligrams, and it is a metric taken into account when determining a gemstone's value.
Alternatively, Karat measures the purity of Gold. Due to its softness, Gold is often alloyed with other metals to strengthen it and make it durable enough for jewellery. The karat value quantifies the amount of Gold present in each piece. The higher the number, the higher the amount of Gold, with 24 karats indicating the highest level of purity.
DEFINING 'CARAT'
Now that you know the difference between the two terms, let's examine each one in more detail.
Carat is the term used when measuring the weight of gemstones, most notably Diamonds. We often talk about the four Cs of Diamond grading, and one of these Cs stands for 'carat'.
As we mentioned earlier, one carat is equal to 200 milligrams, and this weight is often subdivided into 100 units to make it easier to communicate to customers and allow jewellers to give more precise measurements. For example, a gemstone measuring 0.50cts weighs half a carat.
It should be noted, though, that carat weight does not directly correlate to size. A higher carat weight does not always mean the gemstone will be larger, and depending on how a gem is cut, it will showcase its size differently, with some looking larger than others despite weighing the same. Lapidarists (gem cutters) cut gems to maximise their beauty and brilliance, and different shapes may reflect different sizes.
For example, a long, rectangular gemstone in a baguette cut may weigh 2.5cts, but so might a round brilliant cut Diamond. However, the baguette cut stone may look longer and larger when you look at them both.
Many gemstones on the market today are cut purely for carat weight in an attempt to drive a higher price. However, this sometimes comes at the expense of the gem's beauty. At Gemporia, we always prioritise beauty over carat weight, as we believe that the allure of these natural treasures being shown in their full capacity is worth far more than how much the gems weigh.
To learn more about how a Diamond's carat weight is measured and the additional three Cs of Diamond valuation, read our blog on Understanding the 4Cs of Diamond Grading.
DEFINING 'KARAT'
The term 'karat' indicates the purity of Gold and refers to the number of Gold parts inside a jewellery piece up to 24. You will often see this measurement in the piece's hallmark, indicated by a numerical stamp followed by the letter K. The higher this number is, the more Gold there is in the piece.
Popular Gold purity levels are 9K and 18K, with the remaining parts of the 24 consisting of other metals to enhance the piece's durability. So, if you have an 18K Gold piece in your possession, it means that 18 karats of the 24 are made of Gold, and the remaining six parts are made from another metal. These other metals could be Silver, copper, or zinc.
To learn more about the Gold purity of your pieces, read our blog on How to Read the Hallmarks on Your Jewellery.
24K is considered pure Gold, and jewellery of this calibre is understandably rarer, as the Gold in most jewellery pieces is combined with other metals to strengthen it.
Here is a breakdown of the Gold purity levels within each type of jewellery:
24K Gold – 99.9% pure
22K Gold – 92% pure
18K Gold – 75% pure
14K Gold – 58.3% pure
10K Gold – 41.7% pure
9K Gold – 37.5% pure
FINAL THOUGHTS
In summary, understanding the difference between 'carat' and 'karat' is crucial for anyone interested in the world of jewellery. Though often used interchangeably in casual conversation, these terms serve distinct purposes in jewellery and impact the value and quality of pieces differently.
By knowing these differences, you can make informed decisions when purchasing jewellery, ensuring you get the desired quality and authenticity.
