This blog post describes what Chav or Chow means in the context of pearls: it’s a calculated unit used to represent a pearl’s effective trade weight. It explains how it’s derived by squaring the carat weight and multiplying by a constant (0.6518), making Chav a more size-reflective measurement than simple carat weight. The article helps readers, buyers, and traders better understand how pearls — especially natural saltwater pearls — are weighed and assessed in markets.

What is the basis for the unit "chow" / "Chav" for pearls?

The formula for calculating the "chav" per carat involves squaring the carat weight (multiplying the carat weight by itself), and multiplying that by 0.6518. This makes a 1 carat pearl 0.6518 "chav", but a 3 carat pearl 5.8662 "chav": Nine times, not just thrice.

Natural Saltwater Pearl are usually traded & expressed its weights in “Chav” or "CHOW"

Logical reason behind this, is to consider both, the mass and the size of the pearl in establishing a Weight factor which can be commonly traded at the same price for all the pearls in the same lot.

Freshwater Cultivated Pearl 2 - 3 Carats

Freshwater Cultivated Pearl 2 Carats

Freshwater Cultivated Pearl 6.15 Carats / 6.75 Ratti

Freshwater Cultivated Pearl 7.04 Carats / 7.73 Ratti

Freshwater Cultivated Pearl 2 to 2.99 Carats / 2.20 to 3.30 ratti / 2.60 to 5.87 chav