Pronunciation: [kˈaɹat] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "carat" can be confusing, as it can also be spelled "karat". However, the correct spelling for measuring the weight of precious stones, such as diamonds, is "carat". The word is pronounced /ˈkærət/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the first syllable. The spelling "karat" is more commonly used to refer to the purity of gold, which is measured in "karats" (e.g. 24 karat gold is 100% pure).
A carat is a unit of weight measurement used specifically in the world of gemstones and diamonds. It is abbreviated as "ct." and is equivalent to 200 milligrams. The term originated from the carob seeds, which were once used to balance scales when weighing precious stones due to their uniformity in size and weight.
In the context of gemstones, a carat indicates the mass of a stone, and despite popular misconception, it does not refer to the size or dimensions of the gemstone. Rather, carat is a metric weight measurement used to determine the purity and value of a gemstone, particularly diamonds. The weight of a diamond is measured in carats, with each carat divided into 100 points, allowing for precise evaluation of a stone's weight.
As carat weight significantly impacts a gemstone's value, the term is frequently used to express the size and worth of diamonds. This weight measurement plays a vital role in determining the rarity and market value of a diamond, as larger carat weights are generally more desirable and valuable.
Moreover, the concept of carat extends beyond diamonds to other gemstones, such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, where weight also influences their worth. Hence, the term carat serves as a crucial criterion for evaluating and comparing gemstones, providing a standardized measure for the gemstone industry.
A weight of 4 grains used in weighing gold and precious stones; the weight that expresses the purity of gold, 24 carats being the standard of purity.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "carat" has an interesting etymology. It originated from the Greek word "keration", which means a small weight of measure. The Greek term was derived from the Arabic word "qirat", which also referred to a small weight. The Arabic term, in turn, may have its roots in the Greek word "keration", or it could be derived from the Greek word "keration" which means fruit of the carob tree. Carob seeds were known for their consistent weight and were used as a measuring standard for weighing precious gemstones. The term "carat" eventually evolved to represent a unit of weight used to measure gemstones, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams.
