Carats vs Karats: All Of Your Questions Answered

Hands with Diamonds Rings

 

As if saving and searching for quality jewelry doesn’t come with enough pressure, you also have the added stress of understanding what it is you’re searching for. Natural vs lab diamonds, yellow gold vs white gold, diamond cut vs diamond shapes, and the list goes on. But the right jeweler should alleviate some of that pressure and that’s what we’re here to do.

Among the long list of jewelry lingo you might run into is Carats and Karats. You’ve likely come across one or the other during your search and with similar spelling and pronunciation comes confusion around the difference between the two. 

In this article, we’re answering your pressing questions about what makes carats and karats different. Hint: They are complete opposites. 


They Sound The Same, But Are They The Same? 

No. Your time is precious, so we’re not going to drag you along to get the answer you need. But if you’re still interested in learning more, get comfortable, we’re providing a full breakdown of how carats and karats differ. The easiest way to do that is to define them both. 

What is a carat (CT)? 

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Whether you believe that saying is true or not, you’ve likely heard it and it’s one way you can remember what a carat is. 

Carats (ct) are the measurement of the weight (not size) of a diamond. So, when you see a 1-carat diamond, that means it weighs roughly 0.200 grams. Keep in mind that though carat weight translates from one diamond to another, the cut of the diamond affects if it appears larger or smaller. 

What is a karat (K)? 

What’s on the other side of the rainbow? If you’re lucky, a pot of the purest gold, or another way for you to remember what a karat is. See what we did there? If not, Merriam-Webster’s definition of a karat (k) is simply the measurement of the purity of gold.

Though you might see the two (carat and karat) used interchangeably, as you can see there is a distinct difference between the two. 

 

Carats vs Karats - Worth The Weight?

As mentioned above, carat and karat are the measurements of diamonds and gold. While shopping for either, you’ll see the large role those measurements play in pricing. To help you better understand its impact, here’s a breakdown of what those measurements look like: 

 

How purity of gold is measured:

  • 24K gold = 100% pure gold

  • 18K gold = 75% gold, 25% alloy

  • 14K gold = 58.3% gold, 41.7% alloy

  • 10K gold = 41.7% gold, 58.3% alloy

How diamond weight is measured: 

  • 1 carat (ct) = 200 mg (0.2 g)

  • 0.50 ct (½ carat) = 100 mg (0.1 g)

  • 0.25 ct (¼ carat) = 50 mg (0.05 g)

How does this translate into pricing? For diamonds, the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat weight ) all have to be considered in pricing but weight can be the difference between spending $1,000 or $3,000. That’s because a 2-carat diamond can easily cost double what a 1-carat diamond costs.

As far as gold purity and pricing, the higher the karat gold is, the “softer” and more valuable it is, while lower karat gold is more durable due to a mixing of metals, also known as alloy. That translates into a 10k gold ring potentially costing $150 or a 24k gold ring costing $1,000. 


Why Sustainable Gold and Diamonds Matter

Sustainable jewelry isn’t just a trend, it has sparked a wave of consciousness throughout the industry and among consumers that’s here to stay. Why does it matter when it comes to the diamond carat vs gold karat? When you’re shopping for diamonds or gold jewelry, you have the option to choose pieces that offer more for your budget without compromising quality or causing a negative environmental impact. 

Outside of how they are sourced, lab grown diamonds and mined diamonds are identical - that’s because lab grown diamonds are in fact, diamonds. Created in a sustainable laboratory that follows rigorous processes, a lab grown diamond is merely a diamond created without any unethical mishaps. Recycled metals are another eco-friendly option when searching for high-quality jewelry.

Plum Diamonds was born out of the strong belief that quality jewelry didn’t have to come with immoral practices. From ideation to design, and production in our certified-sustainable facility, every diamond or piece of jewelry that features gold metal is aligned with those values. 


What To Consider When Purchasing Gold vs Diamonds

The more informed you are, the more confident you’ll be with your purchase of diamonds or gold. Here are a few considerations you should keep top of mind when you’re looking for your next heirloom:

What to consider when purchasing gold: 

  • Purity: Explore how pure (10k vs 24k) you’d like your gold to be.

  • Color: Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold

  • Type: Solid, gold-filled, gold-plated

What to consider when purchasing diamonds:

  • 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat weight

  • Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds

  • Authenticity Certifications: GIA, IGI, AGS

 

And we wouldn’t be who we are without saying you should also consider the source. That goes for the jeweler you choose to shop with and where the pieces themselves come from if you’re eco-conscious. 

If you’ve made it this far in this article, three things should be clear: First, when it comes to carat vs karat, carat is the measurement of diamonds, while karat is the measurement of gold. Secondly, understanding the intricacies of both helps you make better purchasing decisions. And lastly, going the sustainable route saves you money and offers the same level of quality.

Need proof? Check out our collection of engagement rings and fine jewelry to explore all that sustainable jewelry has to offer. We’ve created beautiful eco-friendly options that highlight the best lab grown diamonds on the market complimented by recycled metal options that include yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.

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