ONE carat is a unit of weight used to measure the size of gems such as diamonds. ONE karat is a measurement that says the ratio of gold in the alloy is 24 parts, so 18K gold is 18/24 parts gold. However, the use of carat (instead karat) to indicate the fineness of gold is also considered acceptable.
The idea that bigger is better when it comes to gemstones has been around long before precise measuring tools were invented. So hundreds of years ago, when people needed some standard for weighing their gems, they turned to the carob tree. Since the carob’s grain weighs almost as much as the smallest gem, it is designated as the base unit for weight measurement, and because the grain is called caratThe name also appears: any stone that weighs approximately the same size as a grain is considered to weigh one carat.
Both ‘carat’ and ‘karat’ to refer to the fineness of gold are considered correct.
Carat vs Karat
Name carat origin, through medieval French and Italian, from Arabic qīrāṭmeans “pea pods”, which is of Greek origin stratification, referring to both carob beans and small weights. In the early 20th century, the weight of the carat was set at 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. Thus, a 2-carat diamond weighs 400 milligrams or 0.4 grams.
from karat finally from the same source as carat but refers to the fineness of gold: one carat is 1/24 part pure gold in an alloy. (The 1/24 scale dates back to ancient Rome, where one liquid 1/24 of a gold solids. But you already know that.) In other words, a 14 karat gold ring consists of 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metal, such as copper; Pure gold is 24 karat.
In spite of carat And karat have distinct meanings in the jewelry world, the words are often confused. Here are a few examples showing karat used to refer to the weight of a diamond instead of the purity of gold.
… the buckle is made of sterling silver and 14K gold. Some of them have a 0.10 karat diamond in the center. — Wyoming Tribune-Eagle31 July 2017
The bag—encrusted with 18-karat white gold and diamonds—was on sale during the first dedicated handbag sale at Christie’s. — Mirror (UK), June 12, 2017
The first was the robbery of his wife… in Paris, a violent incident that included the theft of a 20 karat diamond engagement ring he gave her, worth a reported $4 million. — New York TimesJanuary 5, 2017
The replacement of karat because carat for gems is considered incorrect, while the opposite—using carat instead karat to indicate the purity or fineness of gold—considered acceptable. (English strikes again.)
Flare Audio’s 24K gold-plated earplugs sell for over $250. A pair of rhodium-plated plugs costs almost $400. As the proverb goes, silence is golden. It must be. How else to explain the special edition 24-carat gold-plated ear protectors that sell for $258.66…. —David Hochman, ForbesAugust 30, 2017
The man tried on many watches and, in his confusion, pocketed an 18-carat gold Rolex wristwatch worth over $10,000. — Lexington (Kentucky) Herald LeaderAugust 14, 2017
This use carat as a spelling variation of karat in the evaluation of gold dates back to the 16th century, so its acceptance in contemporary English is understandable.
Nowadays, we often see both carat And karat relating to fine jewelry, where size and quality are emphasized, with carat usually specify the size of a stone and karat Specifies the ratio of gold in an alloy.
It should also be noted that karat often abbreviated KYas in “18K gold ring”, but carat almost always written in full.
One more: Caret
A completely different homonym is circumflex: the name of the cuneiform mark (^) used by copy editors and proofreaders to indicate where the text will be inserted. Its unrelated connotations make confusion with the words “diamond” and “gold” unlikely — but, hey, we’re dictionaries. We tell you about words. And while we’re at it: carrot.
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
