Whether you know much or little about jewelry, you know that Carat or Karat, are elements to explore.
Carats and karats measure completely different things.
While both are important and provide great indication as to the grade and value of a jewelry,
They each refer to a very different aspect.
A weight measuring unit. It measures diamonds and other gemstones.
The word "carat" comes from the original unit of measure for diamonds- the "carob" seed.
One carat equals 200 milligrams, and although the price of a diamond usually increases with the carat weight, the actual size does not!
The measurements are extremely precise. Each carat is subdivided into 100 'points. Therefore, if jewelry weighs less than one carat, it can be measured by the points alone.
While the diamond price increases with diamond carat weight, it is not the only element to make a difference. If two diamonds posses equal carat weight, the value of each might still vary. That is because there are 3 more elements to consider, Clarity, Color and Cut, that along with the Carat are known as the 4C's.
A purity measuring unit. 24-karat gold is considered pure gold.
Since pure gold is very soft, it has been combined with other types of metals, like silver, and nickel.
If a jewelry was made of pure gold, for example platinum and 24k gold, it could be easily scratched and bent if hit on hard surfaces. 24 represent the 100% gold, and therefore the proportions between the gold and other materials are measured as parts of 24, the total.
For example, if a jewel is 10 parts silver and 14 parts gold, it will be considered as a 14-karat piece. If you decide to go with gold, make sure you pick 14k gold and not 18k gold. While 18k gold is more valuable, it is softer and will scratch easier than 14k gold will. 14k gold is cheaper, and more scratch resistant.
The number 24 was chosen hundreds of years ago when a German gold coin weighed 24 carats (4.8 grams). The purity of the gold in the coin was expressed in the number of carats of gold in this 24-carat coin.
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