PRECIOUS METALS IN THE FORM OF JEWELLERY, COINS AND BARS
Although carat and karat have distinct meanings in the jewelry industry, the words are frequently confused. Karat and Carat, the two words can sound similar but have different meanings and sometimes are also used in the same context, but both words differ from each other in many ways. Both words are related to jewellery like Gold and diamond.
Carat “Ct.”
A carat is a unit of weight used to measure the size of a gemstone like a diamond. For example, Carat is the weight of a diamond, not the size. 1 Carat equals 0.20 grams. The carat weight does not determine a diamond value because can also vary in quality due to clarity color and cut.
Karat “K”
A karat is a measurement of the purity of precious metals like gold. The 24 Karats Gold, It's the purest form and consists of 99.9% of gold it doesn't go any higher than this. It is naturally bright yellow in color, highly valuable and it is not usually used to make fine jewellery or intricate objects. The difference in gold karat can drastically change the look of your ring, even within the same color. For example, 18-karat yellow gold looks very different from 14-karat yellow gold — it’s less yellow in tone. A myth that jewellery cannot be crafted from pure gold due to its softness.
24 Karats Gold
It’s the purest form and consists of 99.9% of gold it doesn’t go any higher than this. It is naturally yellow, highly valuable and it is not usually used to make fine jewellery or intricate objects. A myth that jewellery cannot be crafted from pure gold due to its softness. The special quality of gold is indestructible, and can only be understood when authentic purity is superior to any element in nature.
Most Jewellery is Plate, not made from pure metal e.g. 18 Karats gold or 750/1000 is 75% gold and 25% other metal. It is not possible for the consumer to know if the correct % of precious metal is present in the article or not. The hallmark guarantees the precious metal content.
Gold Karat Explained
The Compulsory Mark: tell you the precious metal content, expressed in parts per thousand.
Sponsor's Mark
Platinum
Palladium
Silver
Gold
Assay Office Mark
Sources: www.assay.ie
Comparison Table Between Karat and Carat
Comparison
Definition
Benefit
Value
Karat
A measurement unit to measure the purity of gold/ precious metal
The term Karat is mainly used for precious metal like Gold,
One karat is equal to 1/24th part of pure gold. In other words, a 14-karat gold ring consists of 14 parts gold and 10 parts of some other metal, like copper; pure gold is 24 karats.
Carat
A measurement unit to measure the weight of gemstones like diamond, not the size.
Carat is mostly used for diamonds and other gemstones.
A one carat diamond equivalent to 200 milligrams or 0.20 grams.