carat

Since 1907, a carat is defined as a fifth of a gram, or about 0.035 ounce. One carat is also 100 points for most stones, or 4 grains when speaking of pearls.

This unit is used to measure the weight of gemstones and should not be confused with the karat used in speaking of gold, which is occasionally also spelled with a 'c'.

Car"at (?), n. [F. carat (cf. It. carato, OPg. quirate, Pg. & Sp. quilate), Ar. qrt bean or pea shell, a weight of four grins, a carat, fr. Gr. a little horn, the fruit of the carob tree, a weight, a carat. See Horn.]

1.

The weight by which precious stones and pearls are weighed.

⇒ The carat equals three and one fifth grains Troy, and is divided into four grains, sometimes called carat grains. Diamonds and other precious stones are estimated by carats and fractions of carats, and pearls, usually, by carat grains.

Titfany.

2.

A twenty-fourth part; -- a term used in estimating the proportionate fineness of gold.

⇒ A mass of metal is said to be so many carats fine, according to the number of twenty-fourths of pure gold which it contains; as, 22 carats fine (goldsmith's standard) = 22 parts of gold, 1 of copper, and 1 of silver.

 

© Webster 1913.