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Carat Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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carat

[ˈkærət ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

jewelry

A unit of weight for precious stones and pearls, equivalent to 200 milligrams.

Synonyms

karat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
carat

Use this term when referring to the weight of gemstones, particularly diamonds. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams.

  • The diamond ring she received for her engagement has a 1.5 carat gem.
  • Jewelers often measure precious stones' weight in carats.
karat

This term is used to describe the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats, and the karat number decreases as other metals are added.

  • Her wedding ring is 18 karat gold, meaning it is 75% pure gold.
  • 24 karat gold is too soft for everyday jewelry, so it's often alloyed with other metals.

Examples of usage

  • The diamond was 3 carats in weight.
  • The emerald was 2 carats in weight.
Context #2 | Noun

diamonds

The unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy, equal to 24 parts of pure gold in an alloy of 24 parts.

Synonyms

karat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
carat

In this context, 'carat' can also measure the purity of gold but is less common. Most English speakers prefer 'karat' for this purpose.

  • The necklace is made of 24-carat gold.
  • Historically, coins were minted with 22-carat gold.
karat

This word is specifically used to measure the purity of gold. 'Karat' denotes the amount of pure gold present in an alloy out of 24 parts.

  • She bought a 14-karat gold bracelet.
  • The wedding rings are made from 18-karat gold.

Examples of usage

  • The ring was made of 18 carat gold.
  • She preferred 22 carat gold for her jewelry.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'carat'

The word 'carat' has its origins in the Greek word 'keration', which was a unit of weight for measuring the seeds of the carob tree. In ancient times, carob seeds were used as a standard for weighing precious stones due to their uniform size and weight. Over time, the term 'carat' evolved to become a standard unit of weight for gemstones and pearls in the jewelry industry.

See also: car, caravan, carcass, carouse, carp, carpet, carport, carriage.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,302, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.