Karat

The unit used to measure the weight of gold or other precious metal. In jewelry terms, it is used to tell how much of the precious metal is within the ring or chain. Because gold, for example, tends to be very soft it is mixed with other metals to be more durable when used as jewelry.

• 24 karat gold is pure gold

• 18 karat gold has 18 parts gold and 6 parts another metal or metals. It it 75% gold.

• 14 karat gold has 14 parts gold and 10 parts another metal or metals. It is 58.3% gold.

• 10 karat gold has 10 parts gold and 14 parts another metal or metals. It is 41.7% gold. In the United States, gold needs to be at least 10 karats in order to be considered gold.

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