Sign In

Sign Up
English speaking customer support only

Toll Free - USA & Canada only:
1-800-464-1640

International:
+66-39609697
Change Language
- English
- Français
- Español
- Italiano
- Deutsch
- Pусский
- 中文
- 日本語
- العربية
USD
Change Currency
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- AED = United Arab Emirates Dirham
- AUD = Australian Dollar
- BHD = Bahraini Dinar
- BND = Brunei Dollar
- CAD = Canadian Dollar
- CHF = Swiss Franc
- CNY = Chinese Yuan
- CZK = Czech Koruna
- DKK = Danish Krone
- EGP = Egyptian Pound
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- HKD = Hong Kong Dollar
- IDR = Indonesian Rupiah
- ILS = Israeli New Shekel
- INR = Indian Rupee
- IQD = Iraqi Dinar
- JOD = Jordanian Dinar
- JPY = Japanese Yen
- KRW = South Korean Won
- KWD = Kuwaiti Dinar
- MXN = Mexican Peso
- MYR = Malaysian Ringgit
- NOK = Norwegian Krone
- NZD = New Zealand Dollar
- OMR = Omani Rial
- PHP = Philippine Piso
- PLN = Polish Złoty
- QAR = Qatari Riyal
- RUB = Russian Ruble
- SAR = Saudi Riyal
- SEK = Swedish Krona
- SGD = Singapore Dollar
- TWD = New Taiwan Dollar
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- VND = Vietnamese Dồng
- ZAR = South African Rand

Carats and Karats

The term carat is used as both a unit of mass - especially for gemstones - and as a measure of purity for gold. In the United States and Canada these terms are spelled differently - as carat and karat respectively - to avoid confusion. But many people get them confused anyway.

The term carat originates from the Greek word kerateeon, meaning "fruit of the carob". Carob seeds were used for precision weighing of gold and gemstones, since it was thought that carob seeds had a uniform weight. The modern carat, known as the metric carat, was adopted in 1907 and defined as a weight of 200 mg. This is actually very close to the mass of larger carob seeds. One carat can be divided into 100 points, a measurement often used in the diamond trade.

Interestingly, the term karat was also derived from the name for the carob seed. So how did the weight of the carob seed relate to the purity of gold, and why is pure gold defined as "24 karat"? A precise answer is not easy to find, but the connection appears to have originated from the Roman Emperor Constantine, who introduced a gold coin that was equal to 24 carob seeds in weight.

Gold Bar Under the karat system of classifying gold, pure gold is 24 karat, 24 kt or 24K, 18K is 75% pure and 12K gold is 50% pure. This system is gradually giving way to the millesimal finess system, which expresses purity in terms of parts per thousand of the alloy. Thus 22K gold is marked as "916" under this system, or 91.6% gold. It is certainly a simpler and less confusing method.

Here in Thailand, like in most Asian countries, gold is very important as a medium of exchange and a store of wealth. The Thais still use a traditional measurement of weight for gold, the "baht." This term can be a bit confusing for foreigners, since the Thai currency is also called the baht. One baht of gold is equal to 15.2 grams, slightly less than half of a troy ounce (16.2 grams).

Fortunately for the gemstone industry, nearly the entire world is standardized, with the carat being the accepted measurement of weight for gemstones. We do occasionally get requests for gemstones measured in rattis, an Indian measurement where 1 standard ratti is 182 mg. But the main confusion any gem dealer encounters with carats is the inexperienced buyer who thinks of the carat as a size measurement. Varieties of gemstones differ considerably in their density or specific gravity, and the cut also affects how large a gemstone appears when viewed face up. Always check the dimensions in millimeters when you're buying a gemstone and don't rely on the carat weight alone.

About Us

Gemstone Information Sign up for our Newsletter

Overall Rating -> 10

Completely would recommend this company to any gem collector, jewelry store, or someone looking for a gemstone to repair their jewelry. There is an abundance of choices at great prices! If you don’t see what you need exactly the customer service department will go above and beyond to meet your needs. Shipping is very reasonable! The gemstones always arrive well before the expected arrival date. This company has very high standards of meeting their customers needs! They are the number 1 company I go to when looking for any gemstone. They are also very detailed in their descriptions so there is no confusion at all as what you are purchasing! Highly recommended!!!!

Posted By Cliff in July, 2021

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I love collecting Gems and Gemselect is my go to place to get them. I have never been dissatisfied with any of my orders. I also love the information that they give for each gem.

Posted By Pierre de la Fontaine in July, 2021

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I love this wed site, is incredible how you can find all types of gemstone, in all prices, excellent for jewelers

Posted By Love gemstones in December, 2021

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

gem selection is pretty great, prices are unbelievably low, however the cut of some gems is questionable at best. you have to dig for the good ones, but it’s worth it for the price

Posted By Katie in September, 2021

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

Gem Select is an excellent website for browsing for what stone you want, and knowing exactly what it looks like and will cost. Very convenient to purchase.

Posted By Antonio in August, 2021

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I couldn't believe how easy it was to find gems, see photos, scroll through until something caught my attention, and then choose it and pay for it. What a great site!

Posted By Wolohaye in September, 2021

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I love the website easy to find what I’m looking for very co friendly and very trustable resource and fare pricing

Posted By Seeny in October, 2021

Source: Bizrate

Carat Weight

Gemstone Carat Weight - Gemstone Information - GemSelect ...

How Big is That Gem?

How Big is That Gem? ...

Understanding Gem Sizes

Understanding Gemstone Sizes ...