Carat vs Karat

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 Today we will discuss the difference between carat with a “c” and karat with a “k”. Many people mix up the two and rightly so as they are both jewelry terms. However, we’re breaking down the definitions to avoid the confusion. 

Carat is a diamond’s physical weight- how much the diamond physically weighs. 1 carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams. Carat is ultimately how large the diamond is. 

Karat refers to the purity of the gold in the alloy. Pure gold is considered to be 21 karats. Whenever we refer to 14 karat or 18 karat yellow gold, we have to understand that gold is a portion within the metal mixture. There are other base metals within the mixture such as copper, nickel, etc. 

We also have standardized percentages of gold within different karats found in the market. 14k yellow gold is 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals. 18k yellow gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. As you increase the percentage of pure gold, the metal will be relatively softer and will have a more saturated yellow color. 14k gold is a more muted yellow color and will be harder compared to 18k. Both are very suitable for everyday wear. We do not work with 22k or 24k gold due to how much gold is in the mixture which makes it very soft leading it to bend more easily. This may lead to the pieces needing more repairs and is not very suitable for everyday wear.

Let us know if you have any questions!

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