What is a carat?
A metric carat is a unit of mass used to measure gemstones and pearls. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. This unit is commonly used in the jewelry industry to determine the weight of precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. The carat weight of a gemstone is a crucial factor in determining its value and is often used in conjunction with other factors such as cut, color, and clarity to assess its overall quality.
What is a metric ton (or tonne)?
A metric ton, also known as a tonne, is a unit of mass in the metric system equal to 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. It is commonly used in international trade and commerce as a standard unit for measuring large quantities of goods such as minerals, agricultural products, and industrial materials. The metric ton is preferred over the traditional ton (short ton) in most countries due to its simplicity and consistency with the metric system.
The metric ton is widely used in industries such as shipping, manufacturing, and agriculture for its ease of conversion and compatibility with other metric units. It is important to note that the metric ton should not be confused with the ton (short ton) used in the United States, which is equivalent to 2,000 pounds.