Convert Carat to Grain

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.

The grain traces its origins to ancient times and was originally based on the weight of a single grain of cereal, such as barley or wheat, which was used as a reference for small weight measurements. The term "grain" comes from the Latin "granum", meaning "grain" or "seed." The grain was used as a standard measure in ancient civilizations, including the Romans, and its use continued throughout medieval Europe. Over time, it was standardized in the 14th century as part of the Avoirdupois system and has remained in use for very precise measurements in modern times, especially in scientific fields, medicine, and the firearm industry.