What are carats?

Difference between Ct and Kt

Behind these two simple abbreviations lies a world of differences. The terms Ct and Kt, although apparently similar, represent completely different concepts in the jewelry industry and refer to values and characteristics of the jewelry we wear.

This article will clarify the distinction between carats for diamonds (Ct) and karats for gold (Kt), guiding you through the fascinating measurement system of precious jewelry.

The Diamond Carat (Ct)

When we talk about diamonds and precious stones, the carat, abbreviated Ct, refers exclusively to the weight of the stone. A carat is precisely equal to 0,2 grams. This measurement is fundamental in determining one of the most important aspects of a diamond's value: its size.

The diamond measurement system is extremely precise and further divides the carat into 100 points. This means that a diamond of 0,75 carats can also be described as a 75-point diamond.

1 Ct = 0,2 grams
1 Ct = 100 points

The famous 4Cs

Carat weight is only one of the four fundamental parameters for evaluating a diamond, known in the industry as the "4Cs":

• Carat (weight)
• Cut (cut)
• Clarity (purity)
• Color (color)

A larger diamond is not automatically more valuable than a smaller one if the other parameters are lower.
In jewelry with multiple diamonds, the total weight of all the diamonds present is often also indicated.

The Gold Karat (Kt)

The karat in gold, abbreviated Kt, takes on a completely different meaning. Here we are no longer talking about weight, but about the purity of the precious metal. The karat system for gold is based on a 24-part scale, where 24 karats (24Kt) represent 100% pure gold.

Pure gold, although extremely precious, is too soft for most jewelry applications. For this reason, it is generally alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness and resistance, thus creating different alloys with different purity percentages. These alloys not only improve the physical properties of gold, but can also change its color, resulting in variants such as yellow, white or red gold, which we use most in our collections.

The main and most widely used gold alloys are 18 Kr gold, 14 Kt gold and 9 Kt gold.

Titanium, gold and diamonds

Jewelry is beauty, but it is also precisely balanced history and science.
In the MANO | J. collection, the meeting of titanium, gold and diamonds represents the essence of contemporary jewelry. Titanium, a lightweight yet extremely resistant material, is paired with gold and diamonds to create jewelry that combines innovation and tradition.