Pronunciation: [kˈaɹats] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "karats" may confuse some, as it is often confused with "carats." However, the two words have different meanings. "Karats" refers to the measurement of the purity of gold, while "carats" refers to the weight of a gemstone. The pronunciation of "karats" is /ˈkærəts/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced as the schwa sound /ə/, and the "t" is pronounced as a soft "t."
Karats are a unit used to measure the purity and quality of gold and other precious metals. It is most commonly used in relation to gold and represents the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. Karats are represented by the symbol "k" or "kt".
In a karat, 24 parts constitute the whole, with each part representing 1/24 of the total. Therefore, when gold is stated as 24 karats, it means that it is pure gold without any other metals added. However, this level of purity is relatively soft and malleable, making it less suitable for jewelry and other applications that require durability.
To enhance the strength and hardness of gold, it is often alloyed with other metals such as copper, silver, nickel, or palladium. The karat value in these cases indicates the proportion of gold present in the alloy. For example, 18 karat gold contains 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of other metals, making it 75% pure gold. Similarly, 14 karat gold is 58.33% pure gold, as it comprises 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals.
The karat system is widely recognized and regulated by various jewelry and hallmarking organizations around the world. It provides consumers with a standardized method to identify the purity of gold, ensuring transparency and authenticity in the precious metals market.
The word "karats" is derived from the Greek word "kerátion", which means "carob seed". The carob seed was used historically as a standard for weighing precious metals, specifically gold. This gave rise to the use of the term "karat" or "carat" to measure the purity or fineness of gold.
