333 Gold (8 Karat)
Also: 8 Karat Gold, 8kt, 333/1000, Eight-Karat Gold
333 Gold is a gold alloy with a fineness of 333 parts per thousand (33.3%), equivalent to 8 karat, and is used primarily in the jewellery industry.
333 Gold — colloquially also known as 8-karat gold — contains exactly 333 parts pure gold per thousand parts by weight. This corresponds to a fineness of 33.3% and is the minimum alloy permitted in Germany that may still be described as "gold". The remaining approximately 66.7% consists of alloying metals, typically copper, silver and zinc, which determine hardness, colour and workability.
How the Karat Rating is Derived
The karat scale divides the gold content into 24 equal parts. 8 karat means that exactly 8 of those 24 parts consist of pure gold:
Fineness = (Karat / 24) × 1000 ‰
8 / 24 × 1000 = 333.33 ‰
The melt value calculator automatically determines the current material value of a piece based on this fineness.
Composition and Colour Variants
By selecting different alloying metals, various visual appearances are achieved:
| Colour | Gold Content | Main Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Gold 333 | 33.3% | Copper + Silver |
| Red Gold 333 | 33.3% | High copper content |
| White Gold 333 | 33.3% | Silver, Zinc, Nickel |
White gold 333 often still contains nickel, which can cause allergies in sensitive individuals. In the EU, the Nickel Directive prescribes limit values for products that come into prolonged skin contact.
Applications
333 Gold is used mainly in the following areas:
- Fashion jewellery and everyday jewellery: Rings, chains and bracelets in the lower price segment
- Children's jewellery: The high hardness from the large alloy content makes it robust
- Eastern European market: In countries such as Poland, Czechia or Russia, 333 gold was historically widespread
- Scrap gold and broken gold: Older jewellery from the GDR era or from the Eastern Bloc frequently bears this alloy
Calculating the Melt Value
The material value is derived from the current gold price and the fine weight:
Melt Value = Weight (g) × 0.333 × Gold Price (€/g)
Example: A 333 gold ring weighing 4 g at a gold price of €85/g:
4 g × 0.333 × 85 €/g = €113.22
This is the pure material value without dealer margin. The melt value calculator is available for up-to-date calculations.
Comparison with Other Gold Alloys
In contrast to 585 Gold (14 karat) or 750 Gold (18 karat), 333 Gold has a significantly lower gold concentration. This directly affects the buying price: one gram of 333 gold contains only 0.333 g of fine gold, whereas one gram of 585 gold already yields 0.585 g.
The gold calculator computes the current material value based on the daily gold price and the respective fineness.
Hallmarking and Stamps
In Germany, 333 Gold is identified by a legally required hallmark. The stamp "333" must be clearly visible on the jewellery piece. If no hallmark is present, the fineness can be determined by an acid test or X-ray fluorescence analysis.
Tax Notes
The purchase of 333 gold jewellery in Germany is subject to VAT (19%), because 333 gold is not tax-exempt investment gold within the meaning of § 25c UStG. The exemption applies exclusively to gold bars and coins with a fineness of at least 995 ‰.
On resale at a profit, § 23 Para. 1 No. 2 EStG (speculative holding period) applies: if the holding period is less than one year and the total profit from private disposal transactions exceeds the tax-free allowance of €600 in the calendar year, the gain is taxable as miscellaneous income. After one year the disposal gain is tax-free. This is not tax advice; a tax adviser should be consulted in individual cases.
In Brief
333 Gold with its fineness of 33.3% is the cheapest gold alloy that may still be marketed as "gold" in Germany. For valuation on purchase or melting, the melt value calculator provides a quick and accurate guide.