Gold Jewellery - What are Gold Carats?
What are Gold Carats?
The carat is a unit of measurement used to express the purity of gold. A 24-carat gold is considered to be pure gold, while a 22-carat gold is 91.6% pure gold. The lower the carat, the less pure the gold.
How are Gold Carats Symbolized?
There are two ways to symbolize gold carats: with the letter "K" or the abbreviation "ct". For example, 24-carat gold can be symbolized as 24K or 24ct.
History of Carat Definitions
The carat as a unit of measurement has been around for centuries. The word "carat" is derived from the Greek word "keration", which means "carob seed". Carob seeds were once used as a standard unit of weight for gold, and one carat was equal to the weight of one carob seed.
In the Middle Ages, the carat was redefined to be equal to 1/24 of a troy ounce. This definition is still used today for gold jewellery.
What is the Purity of Different Carat Gold?
The following table shows the purity of different carat gold:
| Carat | Purity |
|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% |
| 22K | 91.6% |
| 18K | 75% |
| 14K | 58.5% |
| 9K | 37.5% |
Which Carat Gold is Right for You?
The carat gold that is right for you depends on your personal preferences and budget. If you are looking for the most pure gold, then 24K gold is the best option. However, 24K gold is also the most expensive type of gold. If you are on a budget, then 9K gold is a good option. It is still a relatively pure form of gold, and it is much more affordable than 24K gold.
How to Identify the Carat of Gold Jewellery
The carat of gold jewellery is usually stamped on the piece of jewellery. The stamp will be either the letter "K" or the abbreviation "ct", followed by the carat number. For example, a 24-carat gold ring will have a stamp that reads "24K" or “24ct”, you may also see alternative stamping systems for example “9K” expressed as "375" which represents the 37.5% gold content.
If you are not sure how to identify the carat of a piece of gold jewellery, you can take it to a jeweler. The jeweller will be able to test the purity of the gold and tell you the carat.
The carat is a unit of measurement used to express the purity of gold. The higher the carat, the purer the gold. The carat of gold jewellery is usually stamped on the piece of jewellery. If you are not sure how to identify the carat of a piece of gold jewellery, you can take it to a jeweller.