Gold was the first noble metal discovered by man, and today it has found application in many areas. Gold has been the most successful market in the jewelry industry. At the same time, there is a gradation of the value of the metal. Every woman, receiving a jewelry gift from a man, will definitely pay attention to the fineness or carats. This indicator informs about the amount of pure precious metal used to make jewelry. How can one learn to evaluate the purity of the alloy and quality by the mark on the product?
Meaning and origin of the word "carat". Composition of gold in bullion and consumer goods
The word carat translated from Latin means “carob.” Its origin is Eastern countries. The value of the plant is represented by its seeds, which became the prototype of the unit for measuring the purity of gold. Previously, they were used to measure the weight of expensive stones.
Carat of gold
This valuation method was not the most reliable, so traders from different countries decided to equate 1 carat to 205 mlg. Later, the established weight was reduced for convenience to 200 mg. And today, this measuring system remains the only one for assessing precious stones throughout the world.
Over time, traders began to value not only stones as valuable seeds. The gold carat allowed us to determine the quality of rings, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry. The maximum gold content according to the grading system is 24 carats.
This is exactly what is indicated on bank bullion. However, pure gold is very soft and unsuitable for creating various products. Therefore, impurities are added to it to improve consumer qualities. This is where the carat value of the products becomes important, showing the optimal ratio of gold and alloy.
Legendary minerals
Diamonds are one of the three most valuable minerals. Precious stones, even several carats, are highly valued. To get one small pebble, you sometimes have to process tons of rock. Gems of 5-7 carats are very rare. And stones weighing more than 1000 carats are completely unique.
Such valuable specimens include the legendary “Cullinan”. This is the largest diamond in the world. It was discovered in 1905 at the South African Premier mine and named after the owner of the deposits. Another name for the gem is “Star of Africa”. The mineral weighed more than 3,000 carats and was only part of a huge nugget. The gem was almost perfect. There were no inclusions, cracks or bubbles on it. Its transparency and purity of color amazed the imagination. Only a small black spot in the middle of the stone later caused it to split into pieces.
There were no buyers for the huge mineral, and the Cullinan diamond was presented to King Edward VII of England. However, the monarch did not like the luxurious gift; he soon ordered the gem to be divided into parts. So the “Star of Africa” turned into 9 large and 96 small diamonds. The largest specimens adorned the royal regalia. The Cullinan II Diamond was set in the British crown. The crowning royal scepter, Cullinan I, weighs 530.2 carats and is the largest diamond in the world.
The Koh-i-Noor is the world's largest colored diamond. Initially, the stone had a slight yellow tint, but after several cuts it became almost white. "Koh-i-Noor" is a legendary gem. Initially, the mineral was pulled out to more than 1000 carats. But after a series of cuts it decreased to 100 carats. Legend has it that a huge gem was found in the 12th century. and became a turban decoration for the rajas of the ancient state of Malwa. Afterwards the stone was sold to the Shah of Persia and then transported to India.
During the Mongol raids, the wife of an Indian rajah exchanged the gem for her husband's life. The beautiful stone wandered through the eastern lands for a long time until it returned to India again. In 1849 the country became a British colony. The magnificent Koh-i-Noor diamond was presented to Queen Victoria. Since then, Great Britain has been considered its rightful owner, although Indian authorities from time to time demand the return of the jewel. Interestingly, negative magical properties are attributed to the stone. A diamond brings trouble to its owners if they obtained it dishonestly.
Gold purity grading systems
In the history of the jewelry industry, there were 4 systems for assessing the purity of a gold alloy: lot, spool, metric, and carat. However, today only the last 2 are relevant, with the help of which the amount of precious metal can be measured.
Metric system and samples
Russia and some post-Soviet states use a metric system for assessing metal purity. According to it, the sample shows the amount of pure gold in 1000 parts of the alloy. In other words, how many milligrams of gold does 1 gram of alloy contain?
The following acceptable indicators have been approved: 375, 500, 585, 750, 900, 916, 958, 999. However, the range is not limited to these samples, they are only frequently used.
Stamps on precious items
Carat system. Carat value
This system includes the following values: 9, 12, 14, 18, 22, 23, 24. 24 karat gold is considered pure, containing a minimum of impurities. The carat of gold shows the amount of pure metal in the alloy relative to 24 carats. The system is used by world jewelry experts to determine the percentage of pure metal in products.
In the USA and European countries, the purity of only gold alloys is measured in this way; it is not applicable to other metals.
Spool system of Tsarist Russia
For more than two centuries, Russia used a spool measurement system to assess the purity of precious metals. With its help, silver and gold were assessed, comparing them to the number of spools. And only in 1927 it was replaced by metric measurement.
The spool unit, like the metric one, helps determine the ratio of pure precious metal and alloy. Its basis is 96 units - spools. Precious metal 999 corresponds to 96 spools.
To convert the spool valves to the usual value you need to: divide the spool indicator by 96 and multiply by 1000.
Ingots 999.9 fine
Carat and fineness of standard gold on the world market
The carat rate for valuing jewelry is used by America, Great Britain, Switzerland and other European countries.
The gold standard on the world market is considered to be 24 carats. Every day, the price of gold is determined on the precious metals exchange precisely in relation to bank bullion, which consists of 99.99% of the precious metal. The purity of such gold reserves is 999.
Using a simple example of calculating the ligature, you can understand how the standard and carats relate. To find out how much ligature the alloy contains, you need to subtract the number of carats on the stamp from 24k. 12k jewelry uses 12k other metals. This simple translation allows us to equate carats to a metric indicator, in which 1000 grams (24k) consists of 500 grams of gold (12k) and 500 grams of alloy (12k). Accordingly, 12k = sample 500.
Formula for converting carats to fineness
The bank bullion consists of 99.9% pure precious metal. In Russia, the metric system with a marking mark in the form of a sample has been officially adopted for the evaluation of jewelry. Any indicator of other measurement systems can be easily converted to obtain the share of the precious metal used.
To determine which metal sample corresponds to the specified number of carats on the product, you can use a simple formula:
carats / 24 * 1000
The resulting figure will be in the range of values of the metric system.
How is the price of a diamond determined?
All diamonds first appear on the market as raw materials, then again, but in the form of a diamond. Stones pass through many appraisers, cutters, and intermediaries before ending up in the hands of manufacturers and ultimately jewelry retailers.
As a rule, mining companies independently sort the resulting diamonds and conduct a preliminary assessment of the raw materials based on the classification (more on this later). The diamonds are then put up for auction to find polishers and cutters.
Cut diamonds increase in price even more, primarily due to the labor-intensive processing process by jewelry craftsmen.
The cost of 1 carat of excellent quality diamond, according to the most average data, is about 1.5 million rubles. Average quality stones are estimated at approximately 600-700 thousand rubles.
There is no exactly fixed price for these stones, and this is not only about quality characteristics. The cost of diamonds, like other valuable minerals, is determined depending on production volumes, mining costs and production costs.
Price formation is also influenced by the discovery and launch of new fields, supply and demand on the global market, and the political or financial situation in the world.
Unique diamonds are most valued: for example, the largest diamond, the Cullinan, weighing over 3,100 carats, was valued at $2 billion.
Having become part of a piece of jewelry, a diamond increases in price even more. The cost of the product also increases due to markups from jewelry companies. When setting prices, they take into account the balance of supply and demand, the preferences of market consumers and the popularity of their own brand.
Table: ratio of different rating systems
| System | Carat | Metric |
| Zolotnikovaya | ||
| 36 | 9 | 375 |
| 48 | 12 | 500 |
| 56 | 14 | 585 |
| 72 | 18 | 750 |
| 88 | 22 | 900 |
| 92 | 23 | 958 |
| 96 | 24 | 999 |
Gold ring with a stamp 56
The approximate ratio of the diameter of a Circle cut diamond is 57 facets to its weight.
The table below shows the approximate weight of 1 diamond in various sizes. Dispersion is the number of diamonds in 1 carat. This table is most often used by jewelry professionals; after this table there is a more detailed description of the ratio of the diameter of a diamond to its weight.
In the online jewelry store you can buy diamond jewelry at the most affordable prices and any characteristics you need. Almost always any diamonds are available, even large and exclusive ones.
| Diamond size (number of diamonds in 1 carat) | Diamond diameter, mm | Diamond weight, carat |
| 400-200 | 0.90-1.10 | 0.002-0.005 |
| 200-120 | 1,15-1,25 | 0.005-0.008 |
| 120-90 | 1,30-1,43 | 0.008-0.011 |
| 90-60 | 1.45-1.64 | 0.011-0.0166 |
| 60-40 | 1.65-1.88 | 0.0166-0.025 |
| 40-30 | 1.89-2.05 | 0.025-0.033 |
| 30-25 | 2.10-2.20 | 0.033-0.039 |
| 25-20 | 2.21-2.36 | 0.04-0.05 |
| 20-15 | 2.40-2.60 | 0.05-0.07 |
| 15-10 | 2.66-2,95 | 0.07-0.10 |
| 10-7 | 3.00-3.30 | 0.10-0.14 |
| 7-6 | 3.35-3.55 | 0.14-0.17 |
| 6-5 | 3.60-3.75 | 0.17-0.20 |
| 5-4 | 3.80-4.05 | 0.20-0.25 |
| 4-3.4 | 4.10-4.30 | 0.25-0.299 |
| 0.30-0.39 | 4.35-4.70 | 0.30-0.39 |
| 0.40-0.49 | 4.75-5.10 | 0.40-0.49 |
| 0.50-0.59 | 5.15-5.40 | 0.50-0.59 |
| 0.60-0.69 | 5.45-5.70 | 0.60-0.69 |
| 0.70-0.79 | 5.75-5.95 | 0.70-0.79 |
| 0.80-0.89 | 6.00-6.20 | 0.80-0.89 |
| 0.90-0.99 | 6.25-6.40 | 0.90-0.99 |
| 1.00-1.24 | 6.45-6.90 | 1.00-1.24 |
| 1.25-1.49 | 6.95-7.35 | 1.25-1.49 |
Below is a list of diamond girdle diameters and its likely weight. Below is a description of the ratio of round diamonds to carat weight of the stone. In our online store you can buy diamonds wholesale.
The weight of a diamond based on the diameter of its girdle is indicated as approximate, since it may differ depending on the quality of the cut.
| Diamond Diameter (mm) | Diamond Weight (carat) |
| 1.0mm diamond diameter | 0.005 carat |
| 1.3mm diamond diameter | 0.01 carat |
| 1.5mm diamond diameter | 0.015 carat |
| 1.7mm diamond diameter | 0.02 carat |
| 1.8mm diamond diameter | 0.025 carat |
| 2.0mm diamond diameter | 0.03 carats |
| 2.2mm diamond diameter | 0.04 carat |
| 2.4mm diamond diameter | 0.05 carat |
| 2.5mm diamond diameter | 0.06 carat |
| 2.7mm diamond diameter | 0.07 carat |
| 2.8mm diamond diameter | 0.08 carat |
| 2.9mm diamond diameter | 0.09 carat |
| 3.0mm diamond diameter | 0.10 carat |
| 3.1mm diamond diameter | 0.11 carat |
| 3.2mm diamond diameter | 0.12 carat |
| 3.3mm diamond diameter | 0.14 carat |
| 3.4mm diamond diameter | 0.15 carat |
| 3.5mm diamond diameter | 0.16 carat |
| 3.6mm diamond diameter | 0.17 carat |
| 3.7mm diamond diameter | 0.18 carat |
| 3.8mm diamond diameter | 0.20 carat |
| 3.9mm diamond diameter | 0.22 carats |
| 4.0mm diamond diameter | 0.25 carat |
| 4.2mm diamond diameter | 0.30 carat |
| 4.4mm diamond diameter | 0.33 carats |
| 4.5mm diamond diameter | 0.35 carat |
| 4.6mm diamond diameter | 0.38 carat |
| 4.8mm diamond diameter | 0.40 carat |
| 5.0mm diamond diameter | 0.50 carat |
| 5.4mm diamond diameter | 0.60 carat |
| 5.5mm diamond diameter | 0.63 carats |
| 5.6mm diamond diameter | 0.65 carats |
| 6.0mm diamond diameter | 0.80 carat |
| 6.4mm diamond diameter | 0.95 carats |
| 6.6mm diamond diameter | 1.05 carats |
| 6.8mm diamond diameter | 1.17 carats |
| 7.0mm diamond diameter | 1.25 carats |
| 7.2mm diamond diameter | 1.40 carats |
| 7.5mm diamond diameter | 1.55 carats |
| 7.8mm diamond diameter | 1.75 carats |
| 8.0mm diamond diameter | 2.00 carats |
| 8.4mm diamond diameter | 2.15 carats |
| 8.6mm diamond diameter | 2.25 carats |
| 9.0mm diamond diameter | 2.75 carats |
| 9.4mm diamond diameter | 3.00 carats |
| 9.6mm diamond diameter | 3.15 carats |
| 9.8mm diamond diameter | 3.35 carats |
| 10.0mm diamond diameter | 3.50 carats |
| 10.2mm diamond diameter | 3.75 carats |
| 10.4 mm diamond diameter | 4.00 carats |
| 10.6mm diamond diameter | 4.25 carats |
| 10.8mm diamond diameter | 4.50 carats |
| 11.0mm diamond diameter | 4.75 carats |
| 11.2mm diamond diameter | 5.00 carats |
| 12.0mm diamond diameter | 6.50 carats |
Let's fix it: The weight of a diamond is measured in carats - this is approximately 200 milligrams. By the way, in ancient times, carats were the name given to the seeds that were placed on the opposite scale when weighing a stone. Diamonds are divided into small, medium and large:
Small: up to 0.30 carats Medium: from 0.30 to 1 carat. Large: above 1 carat. Diamonds weighing more than 6 carats are already being sold at auction.
The largest diamond found is the Cullinan, weighing 3,106 carats (about 620 grams). It now adorns the top of the royal scepter of Great Britain.
Until the end of the 19th century, different carat equivalents were used in different countries of the world; just like now, it was measured in grams, the carat weight ranged from 0.1885 to 0.2135 grams. But already in 1907 it was proposed to establish weight based on a certain standard - a metric carat equal to 200 mg. The proposal was made by the International Committee of Weights and Measures and adopted at the 4th General Conference on Weights and Measures in Paris. Our online store offers a wide range of diamond engagement rings.
Diamond Jewelry
| Gold rings with diamonds | Gold earrings with diamonds | Men's gold rings with diamonds |
| A round cut diamond is calculated using the formula: Diamond Weight = Diamond Height (mm) × Girdle Diameter2 (mm) × 0.0061 The princess cut is calculated using the formula: Diamond weight = Length (mm) × Width (mm) × Height (mm) × 0.0083 An “oval cut” diamond is calculated using the formula: Diamond Weight = Diamond Height (mm) × Diameter2 (mm) × 0.0062 |
Where to find the stamp, sample and manufacturer's mark on the product
Each ring, bracelet, chain and other jewelry must correspond to the standard, one of the existing rating systems. Any jewelry salon can only sell jewelry that bears the state hallmark. This imprint is called a name tag and includes numbers and letters. The numbers indicate the year of manufacture and sample. The letter symbol indicates the manufacturer.
Any jewelry is sold with a label, details: name of the manufacturer, name of the jewelry, code, article number, weight. Additionally, the size of the item and the name of the inserts, if any, are indicated. According to GOST, the label is attached to the products with white thread and a seal.
Marking on a product is regulated and carried out only by the Assay Chamber of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. The state mark can be affixed using a laser or minted. The presence of such a sign indicates the authenticity of the jewelry and the passage of appropriate checks.
Includes a sample, a sign of identification, which are applied in one or different images. The ID symbol can be an image of a star with a hammer and sickle, characteristic of Soviet gold, or the head of a woman in a kokoshnik, turned to the right.
Why is it better to trust the sample on the product?
Each piece of jewelry of domestic or imported origin must have the necessary markings. Imported gold jewelry is always marked with carats and the word “gold”. Certificates for trading are required.
It is important to correctly read the existing name tag, especially on products brought from other countries. After all, most of such jewelry is gold-plated jewelry or silver, which is also indicated by the presence of appropriate markings. Moreover, the price of these jewelry may correspond to the original.
Any gold jewelry brought for sale in the Russian Federation requires assaying. Then the fineness is indicated along with the carats.
Determining the carat value of a product using the acid method. Instructions
Using simple methods, you can establish the authenticity of gold. But how to determine the sample or carat? It is difficult to do this at home, since you will have to purchase special reagents. A jeweler can use the acid method to determine the purity of items. It is also used in pawnshops, buying precious items. To do this, a small scratch is made on the jewelry, onto which a little acid is dripped, which reacts with the noble metal. Based on the result, you can determine how many carats the product corresponds to.
Step by step test execution:
- Clean the product from dirt and make a small scratch.
- Take reagents intended for different carats. First, apply a drop from the bottle with the lowest reading onto the scratch. If the carat value is higher than that indicated on the bottle, the color of the alloy will not change. Then the experiment must be repeated until a match is found.
- When the carat value of the reagent matches the precious metal, the location of the damage will slightly change the shade. If the value of the jewelry differs by several carats, the scratch will be covered with light rust. If the alloy has a quality several carats higher than indicated on the bottle, then the scratch will dissolve and disappear.
The largest colored diamonds
Most often, mined diamonds are colorless. However, sometimes very valuable colored specimens are found. And if they still have an impressive size, then the price of such minerals is fabulous. The largest colored diamonds are:
- "Incomparable". The 407.48 carat Incomparable Diamond was obtained from a colored mineral. The golden-yellow stone weighed 890 carats when discovered. In the early 1980s in the Congo, the gem was accidentally found by a little girl walking near abandoned mines. “Incomparable” has been put up for auction several times. In 2013, the golden stone became the decoration of a rose gold necklace.
- "The Great Mongol". A 787-carat gem with a blue tint was discovered in India in 1650. The luxurious find was presented as a gift to Shah Jehan. For some time the diamond was kept in the treasury of Agra. In 1739, Agra was conquered by Persian troops. The jewel was stolen and handed over to the Persian Shah Nadir. After Nadir's death, the "Great Mongol" disappeared without a trace. His whereabouts are still unknown. Some experts believe that the famous Orlov diamond, kept in the Diamond Fund of Russia, was obtained from this diamond.
- "Golden Jubilee". The largest fancy yellow-brown diamond. Its weight is 545 carats. Before cutting, the gem weighed 755 carats. Its cutting took 2 years. In 1995, the beautiful stone was presented as an anniversary gift to the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Today the Golden Jubilee is kept in the royal treasury.
- "The Spirit of Grisogono".
It is the largest diamond of all black gems. The 587-carat stone was found in Central Africa. After processing, the unique gem “Spirit of Grisogono” began to weigh 312.24 carats. Top Swiss jeweler Fawaz Gruosi cut the rose-shaped mineral using ancient Indian techniques. Today, the black diamond belongs to the De Grisogono jewelry house. There are other luxurious pieces with a rich history and interesting fate.
Surprisingly, for a long time diamonds were used only in industry. They became jewelry relatively recently. And cut large or colored specimens are now equated to masterpieces of jewelry art.
Category: question-answer
There are many tips on the Internet on how to test gold. How to determine the purity or carat of gold?
Expert opinion
Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich
Jeweler 6th category
Each piece of jewelry sold in Russia must have a hallmark and a hallmark. If there are no marking symbols, this may indicate restoration, alteration of the jewelry, or rare single hand-made work in which a mark is not placed. Then, if you have special reagents or other tools, you can determine the sample yourself. But it is better to visit a specialist who can accurately determine the authenticity and composition of the gold. The best decision would be to buy in jewelry stores with a good reputation and guarantee, for example, in the Sunlight chain, Almaz Holding, MYuZ.
How to convert carats into carats when buying jewelry abroad?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
When buying imported jewelry abroad, it is important to pay attention to the stamp and the presence of other signs indicating authenticity. In rare cases, a foreign alloy may not be as pure as the corresponding sample. You can bring this indicator to the usual standard using the formula: carats / 24 * 1000.
How many carats is pure gold?
Expert opinion
Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich
Jeweler 6th category
The precious metal acquires a white color by adding more silver or palladium to the alloy. Today it is a popular alloy with hallmarks: 585, 750, 900. Thus, the carats of white metal are fully consistent with those of yellow, respectively.
Gold granules
How much is a carat of gold in grams?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
It is believed that in 1k there is 0.2 grams. But this indicator is used to measure the weight of precious stones exclusively. There is even a special table indicating the carat of stones with the corresponding weight.
The largest diamonds
No more such magnificent minerals have been found. However, the story of the largest gems does not end there. Famous jewelry houses, famous representatives of royal dynasties and simply wealthy collectors own other unique pieces that were once found in the depths of our planet.
The perfectly pure and transparent Excelsior gem weighing 957 carats was discovered in 1873 in one of the African mines. A worker found the wonderful mineral and received a considerable sum for it at that time. "Excelsior" was transported to England, where after studying it was divided into many parts. During separation, more than half of the mineral was lost. The remaining part was used to make 20 diamonds, which were purchased by the most famous jewelry houses.
The 968-carat mineral “Star of Sierra Leone” was found in one of the mines of the African city in 1972. The uniqueness of this stone is that it has perfect purity. 17 flawless diamonds were made from the gem.
The name "Star of the Millennium" is the purest pear-shaped diamond of 203 carats. The diamond from which this masterpiece is made was discovered in the Congo in 1990 and weighed 777 carats. The cutting of this gem lasted 3 years and took place in several stages. Today, the Millennium Star is owned by the British corporation De Beers.
The flawless 599-carat Centenary Diamond was discovered in South Africa in the 1980s. The gem was cut in the shape of a heart. The Centenary Diamond received the highest category of color and clarity and was presented to the public in 1988. At one time, the luxurious stone was exhibited in the Tower of London, and then was sold to a private collection.
