Eating "Karats"

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. Luke 15:16

"Locust/carob could be the same word – Carob could be a “locust bean” – also called St. John’s bread – The carob seed became a standard of weight because of the regularity of each seed’s weight. The weight of one carob seed later became one “karat” and eventually became the measure of weight for diamonds. The prodigal son was probably feeding carob bean husks to the swine in Luke 15:16."

(Lash, Neil & Jamie., “Jewels From the Journey,” Jewish Jewels, Ft. Lauderdale, FL., pg 4)