The carat is a unit of mass used in the jewelry industry to measure gemstones, pearls, and precious stones. It plays a critical role in determining the value of diamonds and other gemstones, as their weight directly correlates to their price. The purity of gold is also measured in carats, with 24 carats representing pure gold, and lower carat values indicating the presence of alloy metals. The carat has an important historical significance, particularly in trade and commerce, as it helped establish standards for precious commodities across different regions. Today, it remains a crucial measure in the global jewelry market.
Word 'Carat' in Other Languages
- Carat in Assamese অসমীয়া
- Carat in Bengali বাংলা
- Carat in Bodo बड़ो
- Carat in Dogri डोगरी
- Carat in English
- Carat in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- Carat in Hindi हिन्दी
- Carat in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- Carat in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- Carat in Konkani कोंकणी
- Carat in Maithili মৈথিলী
- Carat in Malayalam മലയാളം
- Carat in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- Carat in Marathi मराठी
- Carat in Nepali नेपाली
- Carat in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- Carat in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- Carat in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- Carat in Santali
- Carat in Sindhi سنڌي
- Carat in Tamil தமிழ்
- Carat in Telugu తెలుగు
- Carat in Urdu اُردُو
Carat
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈkærət/
Definitions
- A unit of weight used for measuring gemstones and pearls, equal to 200 milligrams.
- A unit of purity for gold, where 24 carats represents pure gold.
Usage Examples
- The diamond weighs 2 carats, making it a valuable piece.
- This necklace is made of 18-carat gold.
Etymology
From Middle French "carat," from Italian "carato," from Late Latin "caratus," meaning "a weight." The word traces back to the Greek "karatíon," referring to the carob seed, which was historically used to measure weight.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Weight unit
- Gold purity measure
Antonyms
- Light
- Impure
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Quilate | /kiˈla.te/ |
| Hindi | कैरेट | /ˈkæːɾət̪/ |
| French | Carat | /kaʁa/ |
| Mandarin | 克拉 | /kè lā/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "carat" may vary slightly across regions, with some dialects emphasizing different syllables. For example, in American English, the emphasis is typically on the first syllable, while in British English, it may be more neutral.
Historical Usage
The carat as a unit of measurement was originally derived from the weight of carob seeds used in ancient Mediterranean regions. It has been used since the 16th century and became standardized for measuring gemstones and gold in the 19th century.
Cultural Nuances
In various cultures, the carat has different symbolic meanings, especially when it comes to gold and gemstones. In some cultures, higher carat gold is seen as a sign of wealth and purity. The term "carat" also often appears in discussions about engagement rings and jewelry, signifying quality and value.