Grain
A "grain" is a unit of weight used to measure and express mass. It is a small and traditional unit of measurement, primarily used for weighing and pricing precious metals like gold and silver, as well as gemstones.
Troy grain
A troy grain, which is often used for precious metals, is approximately 1/480th of a troy ounce.
Conversion
To convert grains to other units of weight, you can use the following relationships:
1 troy grain = approximately 0.00208333 troy ounces
Use in the precious metals industry
Grains are typically used in the precious metals industry to express the weight of small quantities of gold, silver, or other precious metals. For larger quantities, troy ounces and grams are more commonly used.
Avoirdupois grain
An avoirdupois grain is equivalent to 1/7000th of a pound in the avoirdupois system, which is the most commonly used system of weight in the United States and many other countries.
Conversion
To convert avoirdupois grains to other units of weight, you can use the following relationships:
1 grain (avoirdupois) = approximately 0.000142857 avoirdupois ounces
Historical significance
The grain has historical significance and was used as a unit of weight in various cultures for centuries. It was originally based on the weight of a single grain of a cereal crop like barley or wheat.
Jewelry and gemstones
Grains are also used to measure the weight of gemstones and are particularly common in the diamond industry. A carat, which is used to measure the weight of gemstones, is equivalent to 200 milligrams or 4 grains.
In summary, a grain is a small unit of weight used to measure and express the mass of precious metals and gemstones, particularly in the context of the jewelry and precious metals industries. It's a traditional unit of measurement with historical significance.
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