Troy weight is a system of
units of
mass customarily used for
precious metals and
gemstones. There are 12 troy ounces per troy pound, (373.24 g) rather than the 16 ounces per pound (453.59 g) found in the more common
avoirdupois system. The troy ounce is 480 grains, compared with the avoirdupois ounce, which is grains. Both systems use the same grain defined by the
international yard and pound agreement of 1959 as exactly 0.064 798 91 gram. Although troy ounces are still used to weigh
gold,
silver, and
gemstones, troy weight is no longer used in most other applications.