# Scruples to Carats (s ap to ct)

Source: https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/weight/scruples-to-carats/

**1 s ap = 6.479891 ct**

One scruple equals approximately 6.48 carats. The scruple, an apothecary weight of 20 grains (about 1.296 grams), and the carat, the gemstone standard of exactly 0.2 grams, both belong to the world of small, precise measurements. Their conversion links pharmaceutical history with gemological practice.

## Formula

Apply the conversion factor

## Conversion Table

| Scruples (s ap) | Carats (ct) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 s ap | 3.2399455 ct |
| 1 s ap | 6.479891 ct |
| 3 s ap | 19.439673 ct |
| 5 s ap | 32.399455 ct |
| 10 s ap | 64.79891 ct |
| 20 s ap | 129.59782 ct |
| 24 s ap | 155.517384 ct |
| 50 s ap | 323.99455 ct |
| 100 s ap | 647.9891 ct |
| 200 s ap | 1295.9782 ct |
| 288 s ap | 1866.208608 ct |
| 500 s ap | 3239.9455 ct |
| 1000 s ap | 6479.891 ct |

## Units

### Scruple (s ap)

An apothecary scruple equals 20 grains or 1/3 of a dram apothecary (1.2959782 grams). A historical pharmaceutical unit largely replaced by metric measurements.

### Carat (ct)

A carat is a unit of mass equal to exactly 200 milligrams (0.2 grams), used for measuring gemstones and pearls. Adopted internationally in 1907 by the Fourth General Conference on Weights and Measures.

## Background

Historical alchemical texts occasionally describe gemstone preparations measured in scruples, where crushed or powdered gems were incorporated into medicinal formulations. Renaissance apothecaries compounding 'gem elixirs' would have weighed their ruby or sapphire powder in scruples. Modern gemological historians studying these old recipes need the scruple-to-carat conversion to understand what quantities were actually being used.

## Good to Know

The scruple-carat intersection reveals one of history's more unusual medical practices: gem therapy. From ancient Rome through the European Renaissance, physicians prescribed crushed gemstones as medicines, believing that the beauty and rarity of gems translated to healing power. The scruple was the pharmacist's measuring unit for these expensive ingredients, making each dose a literal investment in a patient's health.

## FAQ

### How many carats are in one scruple?

One scruple equals approximately 6.48 carats. This is calculated from the scruple's mass of 1.296 grams divided by the carat's mass of 0.2 grams.

### Were gemstones ever measured in scruples?

In Renaissance alchemy and early modern medicine, crushed gemstones used in pharmaceutical preparations were sometimes weighed in scruples. This practice reflected the belief that gemstones had medicinal properties. The carat system for intact gems existed simultaneously but served the jewelry trade rather than the apothecary.

### How do I convert scruples to carats?

Multiply scruples by 6.48. For example, 3 scruples equals about 19.44 carats. For reverse conversion, divide carats by 6.48 to get scruples.

## Non-Frequently Asked Questions

### Did alchemists really grind up gemstones for medicine?

They absolutely did. Powdered rubies, emeralds, pearls, and sapphires appeared in pharmacopeias across Europe and Asia for centuries. A typical dose might be half a scruple (about 3.24 carats) of powdered pearl mixed with wine. Whether this cured anything is highly questionable, but it certainly raised the cost of prescriptions.

### How many carats of moral hesitation is one scruple of doubt?

If moral scruples converted to gemstone carats at the same rate as apothecary scruples, one scruple of doubt would equal 6.48 carats of hesitation. That is a respectably sized ethical dilemma, roughly the equivalent of a large solitaire ring's worth of second thoughts. Most committee meetings generate considerably more.

### Would a jeweler understand if I asked for gemstones measured in scruples?

A modern jeweler would be thoroughly confused, as scruples vanished from pharmaceutical practice decades ago and were never standard in the gem trade. You would need to visit a Renaissance fair or a very specialized antique pharmacy museum to find anyone who could weigh gemstones in scruples with a straight face.

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## See Also

- [Carats to Scruples](https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/weight/carats-to-scruples/)