Shivani Sen April 24, 2023
Engagement rings are usually one of the first few pieces of jewellery that modern day couples shop for. Therefore, it is understandable if you feel overwhelmed by the terms karat or carat.
Shopping for artificial jewellery online, is a convenient way to explore iconic designs and find a style that matches your preferences as well as budget. However, it is important to understand the basics of jewellery making, so that you can make an informed decision. Let’s discuss what’s the difference between karat and carat and what else should you know while investing in customized jewellery.
What is the difference between karat and carat?
Karat is a term used to denote the purity standards of gold. On the other hand, a carat denotes the weight of a diamond. In simple words, if you go higher in karat it makes gold look pure and if you go higher in carat it makes a diamond look bigger.
The usual purity standards for gold jewellery are 14K, 18K, 20K and 22K, where 14K is the least pure gold with higher amounts of other metals mixed in it and 22K is the highest purity for jewellery making, however, 22K gold is only 92% pure and the remaining content includes other metals like copper and other impurities in the base metal.
On the other hand, carats denote the weight of a diamond. The more carats your diamond has the bigger it gets in size. Usually, a round-cut 1-carat diamond is 6mm in size and a 5-carat diamond can be five times bigger than this.
What is the ideal karat weight for engagement rings?
Lower karats mean the base metal has a higher amount of impurities. In simple words, rings made from lower karat weights can be cheaper however the classic yellow hue of gold jewellery cannot be obtained with lower karats which usually have more impurities.
14k jewellery pieces look dull and slightly pale compared to jewellery crafted from 22k metal alloy. If you prefer your jewellery to be slightly yellow in tone, make sure to pick above 18k and if you don’t mind wearing a pale or faded yellow tone then you can make the affordable selection of 14K.
However, fashion conscious buyers need not make compromises because of the budget. Pick a traditional ring design and order imitation customized jewellery. These pieces are made from high quality raw material and finished with 24k micron gold plating. The top layer is applied with advanced technology so that the ring looks like pure gold but at a fraction of the cost.
How many carats are big enough for an engagement ring?
Carat size less than 1 are very small and doesn’t look flattering. Rings that are considered bigger usually have diamonds between the range of 2.5 and 5 carats. Although, the shape of the diamond also makes a world of difference in its radiance of the diamond. For instance, round cut diamonds can offer higher brilliance compared to square cut diamonds of the same size.
Those who don’t have a budget to shop for a rock weighing 5 carats can either compromise on cut, colour or clarity standards of the diamonds or invest in the affordable option of imitation jewellery. Explore the budget friendly options like lab-grown diamonds that are extremely popular at artificial jewellery online stores.
Cubic Zirconia is a stunning choice for those who like to mimic the aesthetics of real diamonds but don’t have the budget to splurge on engagement rings. These synthetic diamonds efficiently imitate the sheen and brilliance of real diamonds and have become a preferred choice for the offered benefits of affordability, feasibility and environment friendliness.
How to shop for the most beautiful engagement ring?
Karat and carats make a world of difference to the look of the engagement ring. Here is the ultimate shopping guide for beginners to help them make an informed decision and invest in a ring that looks stunning.
Style: The classic style of engagement rings is solitaires with usually a round cut stone. Apart from the traditional ring design, halo setting is another beautiful option to consider. In this style, the radiance of the centre stone is augmented by lots of smaller stones surrounding the stone. Those who prefer symbolism can opt for three stone engagement rings that reflect the past, present and future of the relationships.
Size: When you are done selecting the style you want, the next step is to choose the size of the centre stone. Not everyone is a fan of a giant rock. So make an informed decision based on your style preferences. Round cut diamonds look stunning even if smaller in size. For the illusion of a bigger size, you can opt for emerald or pear shaped diamonds with prong settings.
Budget: The style preferences of a wearer are indeed the basic grounds to select an engagement that doesn’t mean you have to burn a hole in your pocket. Based on your financial condition, select the karats and carats that you can afford.
Customization: If you cannot find a design that matches your style preferences opt for customized jewellery. This allows you to tweak around the carats and karats and find a style that complements the existing jewellery collection. Customization offers you the flexibility to select stunning meenakari ring designs or kundan ring designs and get your engagement ring customized with unique twists.
Conclusion
Karats determine the purity standards of gold jewellery, whereas carats is the term used to weigh diamonds. No need to buy an engagement ring with lower karats and carats if you are running out of money. Connect with the design experts at Ciero Jewels and get affordable customized jewellery and kundan nose ring online.
FAQs
What is the difference between karats and carats?
Karats are used to denote the purity grades of gold jewellery whereas carats are used to denote the weight of a diamond.
Are higher karats better than lower karats in jewellery making?
Higher karats mean the gold jewellery has lesser impurities that’s why it is preferred because of the chic yellow hue. The yellow hue of pure 24K gold can also be obtained from imitation jewellery.
Are higher carats better than lower carats in diamond jewellery?
Higher carats mean the diamond is larger; however, these are extremely expensive. When cost is prohibitive, lower carats are better and when size matters higher carats are preferred. Go for affordable options and higher carats by investing in imitation jewellery.