MCQ Detailed View

The carat is a unit of mass that is widely used for measuring gemstones and pearls. When we say a diamond weighs “1 carat,” it refers to its mass, not its size. The internationally accepted standard for 1 carat is 0.2 grams, which is equal to 200 milligrams.

The history of the carat dates back to ancient times. The name originates from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), which were used as a natural standard for weighing precious stones because they were relatively uniform in mass. Eventually, the carat was standardized across the world to avoid confusion in the jewelry and gemstone trade.

It is important to note that the carat is not the same as karat. Carat (with a "c") measures the mass of gemstones, while karat (with a "k") is used to measure the purity of gold. For example, 24-karat gold means pure gold, while 18-karat gold means an alloy containing 75% gold.

In practical terms, if a diamond weighs 5 carats, its mass is 1 gram (5 × 0.2 g). This measurement system helps jewelers, scientists, and traders communicate clearly about gemstone weights. Since gemstone value often increases significantly with weight, even a small fraction of a carat can make a big difference in price.

Thus, the correct answer is that 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams. This unit belongs to Chemistry and Material Science because it deals with standardized measurements of matter, specifically crystalline minerals and gemstones.