How Much Does Jewelry Weigh Pennyweights and Grams

It`s not easy to shop for jewelry online; you have to be very careful when examining images, dimensions, and weights. This article is meant to give you more of a `real world` appreciation for how much a piece of jewelry might weigh if you were holding it in your hand. If you want to convert from millimetres to inches we suggest you read our Jewelry Size Conversion Guide.

What`s the deal with Pennyweights? Grams? Grains? Troy Ounces? Avoirdupois Ounces?

Jewelry weights seem designed to be confusing, with several different standards and units being used depending on the product you are shopping for. Here at IceCarats our products are all measured in grams, so you don`t have to worry about those other units like Pennyweights and Troy Ounces and so on. Just in case you`re looking at other sites using other measures, here`s a rough conversion chart:

1 Pennyweight = 24 Grains = 1.555 grams = 0.05 Troy Ounces = 0.054857 Avoirdupois Ounces

How Heavy Does It Feel?

One question many of our customers ask is "I know it says 2.5 grams, but how heavy does it feel?", which is why we`ve made the chart below. One thing to remember is that some metals are far denser than others, which in turn makes them heavier than others despite taking up the same or less space. For example, a ring made of Platinum is nearly twice as heavy as the same sized ring made of Sterling Silver. Note that the chart below uses the weights for United States currency, produced after 1982. Also note that real world equivalent examples are approximate weights:

Weight (in grams)Real World ObjectIceCarats Example
0.3 gramsPlastic Bottle CapChild Earrings
0.5 grams`baby` aspirin tablet1/2 Carat Diamond Pendant
0.8 gramsAn M&MYouth Crucifix
1.0 gramsA PaperclipWhite Gold Diamond and Peridot Pendant
1.5 gramsA CigaretteJasper Stone Kera Bead
2.0 gramsTwo (2) Dollar Bills1/3 Carat 14k Gold Moisssanite Earrings
2.5 gramsOne Penny14k Gold Pearl Earrings
3 gramsA Silica Gel PacketA Platinum Cross Pendant
3.5 grams (1/8 Ounce)Average Tea BagAn 18 inch Silver Wheat Chain
4.0 gramsA Teaspoon of SugarAn 18 inch Silver Wheat Chain
4.5 gramsA Large Olive (with pit)A 20 inch 14k Gold Box Chain
5.0 gramsA NickelA 1 Carat Moissanite 3 Stone 14k Yellow Gold Anniversary Band
6.0 gramsA QuarterSterling Silver Endless Tube 69mm Earrings
7.0 gramsA Quarter and a DimeSize 10 Sterling Silver Milky Kyanite Ring
8.0 gramsOne Dollar CoinSilver and 18k Gold Fashion Earrings
9.0 gramsA Resse`s Peanut Butter CupSterling Silver 24 inch Flat Solid Curb Link Chain
10.0 gramsTwo NIckelsSterling Silver Aquamarine, Amethyst, and Blue Zircon Pendant
12.0 gramsTablespoon of Sugar14k White Gold Stingray Brooch/Pendant
14.0 gramsEmpty Soda Can14k Yellow Gold 7 inch large link Charm Bracelet
15.0 gramsThree Wax Crayons Sterling Silver 8 inch Cable Toggle bracelet with Heart Charm
20.0 gramsA Dollar Coin and a Half Dollar CoinSterling Silver and Tahitian Pearl 19.5 inch Necklace
25.0 gramsA Throwing Dart14K Yellow Gold 20 Inch Figaro Chain
30.0 gramsSix NickelsSterling Silver 7 inch Curb Chain
40.0 gramsAn iPod NanoSterling Silver 7.5 Inch Bracelet with Nativity Charms
50.0 gramsAn Average EggSterling Silver 17 Inch Multi Strand Necklace
60.0 gramsFour Compact DiscsSterling Silver 1/3 Carat Diamond Cuff Bracelet
70.0 gramsThree AA BatteriesSterling Silver 16 Inch Heavy Curb Chain
80.0 gramsFifteen QuartersSterling Silver 18 Inch Heavy Curb Chain
90.0 gramsA Cup of Oatmeal (not including cup)Sterling Silver 22 Inch Chain with Black Lacquer
100.0 gramsA Dove Daily Beauty Bar of SoapSterling Silver 1 and 1/3 Carat Diamond Cuff Bracelet
150.0 gramsAn Average AppleSterling Silver 20 Inch Heavy Curb Chain