in
grams and milligrams, a most important and valuable decision, as the
gram and the milligram will always be known as weights of constant
value.
In
view of the difficulty of inducing the abolition of the carat in
different countries, the German Federation of Jewelers decided to
petition the imperial government for authority to use the carat, in
order that it might be legally recognized. Such a proposition not being
in accord with the German laws in force on the subject of the metric
system, it was proposed to substitute for the carats then in use one
carat only, weighing two hundred milligrams. This proposal was very
favorably received in trade circles and may be taken into
consideration by the International Committee of Weights and Measures.
The Commission des Instruments et Travaux, to which this proposition
was referred, recommended its adoption to the committee in the
following terms :
"The
Commission recognizes that it would be very desirable that the unit of
weight of precious stones (the carat) which varies in different
countries, should be made uniform, and should be reduced to the
nearest metric equivalent. The weight of 200 mg., which is very close
to the carat most in use (205.5 mg-), would seem to be the best for
this purpose. The Commission believes that there can be no objection to
this standard of 200 mg. being called 'the metric carat' in order to
facilitate the abolition of the old carat."
This
proposition, adopted at the meeting of the International Committee on
the 13th of April, was communicated to the more important associations.
The Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie et Orfèvrerie de
Paris, and the Chambre Syndicale des Négociants en Diamants, Perles,
Pierres Précieuses et des Lapidaires de Paris assured the committee of
their support of this measure.
The following is the text of the resolution which was passed by both the above associations in January, 1906:
"The
Council, recognizing the advantages which would result to the
international trade in precious stones from the use of a unit based on
the metric system, desires that the metric carat of 200 mg. be
universally adopted."
The German Federation of Jewelers passed the following resolution in August, 1906:
"The
German Federation considers that it is both necessary and advantageous
to replace the old carat by the metric carat of 200 mg. ; it authorizes
its president to approach the imperial government and the International
Bureau of Weights and Measures, and the foreign associations in order
that the metric carat may be introduced as soon as possible in all
countries."
