Carat (CT.)
Carat (CT.) is a unit of measure used to describe the weight of diamonds and other gemstones, representing both the size and weight of these precious stones.
- Part of speech
- noun
- Definition
- Derived from the seeds of the carob tree, which were historically used for their uniform size as counterweights in balance scales, the term "Carat" is now standardized to equal 200 milligrams or one-fifth of a gram. The use of carats as a metric allows for precise descriptions and comparisons of gemstone sizes, which is crucial in the jewelry industry for valuation and identification purposes. Higher carat weights typically indicate larger gemstones, which can significantly impact their value, especially when combined with other quality factors such as clarity, color, and cut. However, two stones of the same weight may differ in value and appearance based on these additional characteristics, underlining the importance of understanding carats as part of a broader assessment of gemstone quality.
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