When shopping for jewellery, you’ll often hear the terms karat and carat — and while they sound nearly identical, they mean two completely different things. One refers to gold purity, the other to diamond weight – let’s break it down.
What Is a Carat (ct)?
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond or other gemstone. One carat equals 0.2 grams, or 200 milligrams.
Carat weight is one of the famous “4 Cs” (Carat, Cut, Clarity, Colour) used to evaluate a diamond’s quality and value. You’ll often see carats written in decimal form — for example:
0.25ct = ¼ carat
0.50ct = ½ carat
1.00ct = 1 carat
Larger carat weights generally mean a higher price, but size isn’t everything. Cut, colour, and clarity also play a big role in a diamond’s sparkle and beauty.
Tip: Two diamonds of the same carat weight can look different in size depending on their shape and cut quality.
What Is a Karat (K or kt)?
Karat measures the purity of gold, not its weight.
Pure gold is 24 karats (24K), which means it’s 100% gold. But pure gold is soft and not ideal for everyday wear, so it’s often mixed with other metals (like silver or copper) to make it more durable. This is called an alloy.
Common karat ratings include:
24K – 100% pure gold (soft, rarely used for fine jewellery)
18K – 75% gold, 25% alloy (rich colour, ideal for fine jewellery)
14K – 58.3% gold, 41.7% alloy (durable and popular)
9K – 37.5% gold, 62.5% alloy (affordable and hard-wearing)
Tip: The higher the karat, the richer the gold colour — but also the softer the metal.
Quick Recap: Karat vs Carat
Term: Meaning, What It’s Used For, Abbreviation, Example:
Carat: Diamond/gemstone weight, Gemstones, ct, e.g. 1.00ct diamond
Karat: Gold purity, Gold jewellery, K or kt, e.g. 18K gold ring
Why It Matters
Understanding the difference between karat and carat helps you shop with confidence. Whether you’re choosing a gold ring or picking out a piece of diamond jewellery, knowing what you’re paying for ensures you’re making an informed, thoughtful purchase. Still got questions? Reach out to our expert team here, who would love to help you.
Karat vs Carat: What’s the Difference?
When shopping for jewellery, you’ll often hear the terms karat and carat — and while they sound nearly identical, they mean two completely different things. One refers to gold purity, the other to diamond weight – let’s break it down.
What Is a Carat (ct)?
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond or other gemstone. One carat equals 0.2 grams, or 200 milligrams.
Carat weight is one of the famous “4 Cs” (Carat, Cut, Clarity, Colour) used to evaluate a diamond’s quality and value. You’ll often see carats written in decimal form — for example:
Larger carat weights generally mean a higher price, but size isn’t everything. Cut, colour, and clarity also play a big role in a diamond’s sparkle and beauty.
Tip: Two diamonds of the same carat weight can look different in size depending on their shape and cut quality.
What Is a Karat (K or kt)?
Karat measures the purity of gold, not its weight.
Pure gold is 24 karats (24K), which means it’s 100% gold. But pure gold is soft and not ideal for everyday wear, so it’s often mixed with other metals (like silver or copper) to make it more durable. This is called an alloy.
Common karat ratings include:
Tip: The higher the karat, the richer the gold colour — but also the softer the metal.
Quick Recap: Karat vs Carat
Term: Meaning, What It’s Used For, Abbreviation, Example:
Why It Matters
Understanding the difference between karat and carat helps you shop with confidence. Whether you’re choosing a gold ring or picking out a piece of diamond jewellery, knowing what you’re paying for ensures you’re making an informed, thoughtful purchase. Still got questions? Reach out to our expert team here, who would love to help you.
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