carat

IPA/ˈkærət/
KK[kˈɛrət]IPA/ˈkærət/

carat — noun

  • caratsingular
  • caratsplural

1. a standard weight used in the jewellery trade for precious stones. A single cara

1.名詞B1
釋義

a standard weight used in the jewellery trade for precious stones. A single carat weighs exactly 200 milligrams — about the same weight as a small paperclip. Jewellers use this unit when describing diamonds, rubies, and other gems.

例句

Wei bought his fiancée a diamond ring that weighed two carats.

number + carats as weight measurement

The museum displayed a dark-red ruby of nearly ten carats inside a glass case.

同義詞
  • point

    a point is 0.01 carats; used for small gem weights only ('a 50-point diamond' = 0.5 carats)

文法句型

number + carat + noun (as modifier)

weigh + number + carats

用法筆記

Abbreviated as 'ct' in writing ('a 2 ct diamond'). Use a hyphen when the number and 'carat' appear before a noun: 'a one-carat stone'.

常見錯誤

❌This ring has 2 carat gold.
✅This ring has a 2-carat diamond.
💡Carat for gems measures gem weight, not gold purity. For gold, use 'karat' (US) or 'carat' (UK) with a purity meaning.

2. a measurement on a scale from 1 to 24 that tells you what share of a metal blend

2.名詞B1
釋義

a measurement on a scale from 1 to 24 that tells you what share of a metal blend is actually pure gold. Gold marked 24 carats is completely pure, while lower numbers indicate that other metals have been added to make the alloy stronger or cheaper.

例句

Amina chose an 18-carat gold bracelet since 24-carat gold is too soft for daily wear.

comparison: 18-carat vs 24-carat gold

The stamp inside the ring said "750", which confirms it is 18-carat gold.

同義詞
  • karat

    American spelling variant, used exclusively for gold purity; abbreviated as 'k' (e.g. '18k ring')

文法句型

number + -carat + gold (as modifier)

用法筆記

In American English, purity is usually spelled 'karat' (abbreviated 'k' or 'K'), while gem weight is 'carat' (abbreviated 'ct'). The standard appears after the number: '18K gold', '24K gold'. UK English uses 'carat' for both senses.

常見錯誤

❌A 24-carat diamond.
✅A 24-carat gold coin.
💡Carat for gold measures purity, not weight. A diamond can be '24 carats' (weight) but gold can be '24 carat' (pure). The context determines the meaning.