The Mythical Origin of the Word “Carat”
In the world of precious gems—and especially Colombian emeralds—there is a word everyone should know: carat. It is one of those terms that sounds elegant and mysterious at the same time, commonly used when we talk about diamonds, rubies, or emeralds. But what’s interesting is that, although today it seems like a technical term from the jewelry industry, it actually has a much older and more fascinating story.
Behind the concept of carats lie centuries of trade, tradition, and even a touch of myth. Before modern scales and precise measurement systems existed, gemstone merchants needed a reliable way to weigh small stones. That’s when a natural solution appeared—one that would change the history of gemology, and here is the story behind it.
The Mythical Origin of the Word “Carat”
The word carat comes from the Greek term “keration,” which means carob seed. According to stories from ancient Mediterranean trade, merchants discovered something remarkable about these tiny seeds: almost all of them weighed exactly the same.
Because of this surprising uniformity, carob tree seeds began to be used as a natural unit of weight for measuring precious stones and metals. Traders would place the seeds on a balance scale alongside gemstones to determine their weight. Over time, this practice spread throughout Europe and the Middle East, and the word eventually evolved into what we now know as carat.
Centuries later, the system was standardized. Today we know that 1 carat equals 0.2 grams, a universal measurement used around the world to weigh gemstones. Although we no longer use seeds to measure gems, the story of the carob tree remains one of the most charming and curious anecdotes in the world of jewelry.
Carats in Emeralds: How They Came to Be Measured This Way
When it comes to emeralds, carats work exactly the same as with other precious stones: they represent the weight of the gem, not its visual size. Two emeralds can have the same carat weight but look different depending on their cut, shape, or proportions.
As the international gemstone trade became more organized—especially during the 18th and 19th centuries—the carat became the standard way to measure all precious stones.
Colombian emeralds, famous for their deep green color and natural beauty, began to be traded in carats within the international market. Thanks to this system, it is now possible to compare gems from different mines, countries, and qualities using a universal measurement that everyone understands.
Do All Carats Cost the Same?
Here’s something many people don’t know: not all carats are worth the same. Weight is only one of the factors that determines the value of an emerald. In reality, the price of a gemstone depends on several important elements.
Among the most important factors are color, transparency, cut quality, origin, and any treatments the stone may have received. For example, a Colombian emerald with a deep green color and good transparency may be worth much more than another emerald of the same weight but with lower quality.
Emerald By Love: Find the Best Emerald Carats
If you’re thinking about buying an emerald, understanding carats is just the beginning of the journey. What truly matters is finding stones that combine good weight, exceptional color, and reliable origin.
At Emerald By Love, we work directly with carefully selected Colombian emeralds, always searching for gems that stand out for their natural beauty and quality. Each carat tells a story that began millions of years ago in the Colombian earth.
If you want to discover unique emeralds with the perfect balance of carat weight, color, and brilliance, Emerald By Love is the ideal place to find those gems that truly make a difference.
Paula A. Bonilla
Social communicator and journalist from Universidad Sergio Arboleda in Colombia. Passionate about continuously learning about precious gemstones and high jewelry. She currently works for one of Bogotá’s most important jewelry houses, Emerald By Love. The brand has more than 40 years of experience with emeralds and operates two physical boutiques in the historic center of Colombia’s capital city.
