Carat (Ct) Vs Karat (Kt): The Most Misunderstood Terms in Jewelry

Welcome to the Bon Gioielli blog, where we dedicate ourselves to explaining the wonders of the world of jewelry and clarifying any doubts regarding your precious purchases. Today we want to shed light on one of the most common and sometimes confusing questions among jewelry enthusiasts: the difference between “Carat Ct” and “Karat Kt”. Both terms are fundamental in our industry, but they refer to different things. Here is a complete guide to better understand these concepts.

Carat (Ct) in the World of Diamonds and Gems

What is Carat?

The carat is the unit of measurement for the weight of diamonds and other precious gems. One carat equals 0.2 grams (200 milligrams). This measurement system is standardized internationally and is used to evaluate the weight of gemstones.

Why is Carat Important?

The carat weight of a diamond is one of the four main factors (along with color, clarity and cut) that determine its value. In general, the greater the carat weight, the higher the price of the stone, other characteristics being equal. However, a high-quality, well-cut diamond may be worth more than a larger diamond with imperfections.

How Does It Affect Design?

In our engagement ring collection, the carat weight of the main diamond plays a vital role in the final ring design. Whether it’s a classic solitaire or a model with diamonds set along the shank, choosing the right carat can make a big difference in the appearance and value of the jewel.

Karat (Kt) in the World of Gold

What is Karat?

The Karat is a unit of measurement of the purity of gold,comes from the Arabic word,qīrāṭ,”twenty-fourth part”. Pure gold is defined as 24 karat (24Kt), which means it is made up of 24 out of 24 parts gold. However, pure gold is too soft to be used in most jewelry, so it is alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability.

The Different Gold Alloys

– 24Kt: Pure gold, very soft and never used for jewelery worn on a daily basis.
– 18Kt: Contains 18 parts of gold out of 24 (75% pure gold), very popular for its combination of purity and resistance.
– 14Kt: Contains 14 parts of gold out of 24 (58.5% pure gold), harder and more resistant, ideal for jewelery to wear every day.
– 10Kt: Contains 10 parts of gold out of 24 (41.7% pure gold), the minimum allowed to be considered gold in the United States, very resistant but less precious.

Why is Carat Important?

The purity of the gold affects both the color and the resistance of the jewel. For example, 18Kt gold has a richer, deeper color than 14Kt gold, but the latter is more resistant to scratches and daily wear. In Italy, when we talk about gold, we traditionally refer to 18Kt gold. At Bon Gioielli, we offer a range of three gold colors: traditional yellow, copper-plated in the pink variant and rhodium-plated in the white version, all exclusively 18Kt.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between carat (Ct) and carat (Kt) is essential to making an informed choice when purchasing a piece of jewelry. While the Ct carat measures the weight of precious gems, the Kt carat indicates the purity of the gold. Both play a crucial role in determining the value and beauty of your jewelry.

At Bon Gioielli, we are committed to offering only the best, selecting certified diamonds and working with the highest quality gold. Our passion for excellence, combined with the experience of our founder Francesco Bon and our team of experts, ensures that each creation is a unique masterpiece.

We invite you to visit our website and discover how we can help you create the jewel of your dreams, personalized according to your desires and made with the utmost attention to detail. Thank you for choosing Bon Gioielli, where quality and authenticity always shine.