Convert Carat to Gram

FromCarat (ct)

ToGram (g)

Carat

The carat (ct) is a unit of mass used to measure the weight of gemstones and pearls. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. It is commonly used in the jewelry industry to indicate the size and weight of precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.

Origin:

The carat originated from the use of the carob seed (from the Ceratonia siliqua tree) as a reference for weight in ancient times. These seeds were used because of their relatively consistent weight, and they were widely available across regions. The term "carat" comes from the Greek word "keration", which means "little horn," referring to the carob seed. Over time, the carat became standardized, and in 1907, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) defined the carat as 200 milligrams, ensuring consistency in the measurement of gemstones worldwide.

Gram

The gram (g) is a unit of mass in the metric system, and it is equal to one-thousandth of a kilogram (0.001 kg). Since the kilogram is the SI base unit of mass defined by the Planck constant (h), the gram is indirectly defined by the same constant. This modern definition ensures the gram's precision and stability as part of the International System of Units (SI).

Origin:

The gram was introduced in 1795 during the French Revolution as part of the metric system's creation. Originally, it was defined as the mass of one cubic centimeter of pure water at its maximum density (approximately 4°C). This practical link to water made it a convenient and universal reference. The gram served as a base unit of mass in early metric systems, but in 1889, the kilogram was adopted as the primary standard, making the gram a derived unit equal to one-thousandth of a kilogram.