333 Gold (8 Carat)
Also: 8 Carat Gold, 8kt, 333/1000, Eight-Carat Gold
333 gold is a gold alloy with a fineness of 333 parts per thousand (33.3%), corresponding to 8 carats, used mainly in the jewellery industry.
333 gold — colloquially also 8-carat gold — contains exactly 333 parts of pure gold per thousand parts by weight. That corresponds to a fineness of 33.3% and is the lowest gold content that may still be described as "gold" in several jurisdictions. The remaining roughly 66.7% consists of alloying metals, typically copper, silver and zinc, which determine hardness, colour and workability.
How the carat figure arises
The carat scale divides the gold content into 24 equal parts. 8 carats means that exactly 8 of 24 parts are pure gold:
Fineness = (Carat / 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
The choice of alloying metals produces different visual appearances:
| Colour | Gold content | Main additives |
|---|---|---|
| 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 trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. In the EU, the nickel restriction sets limits for products in prolonged skin contact.
Areas of application
333 gold is used mainly in the following areas:
- Fashion and everyday jewellery: rings, chains and bangles 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, the Czech Republic or Russia, 333 gold was historically widespread
- Scrap gold and broken gold: older jewellery pieces from the former Eastern Bloc often carry this alloy
Calculating 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. For up-to-date calculations, the melt value calculator is available.
Comparison with other gold alloys
Unlike 585 gold (14 carat) or 750 gold (18 carat), 333 gold has a markedly lower gold concentration. This directly affects the purchase price: one gram of 333 gold contains only 0.333 g of fine gold, whereas one gram of 585 gold already provides 0.585 g.
The gold calculator computes the current material value from the current gold price and the respective fineness.
Marking and hallmarks
333 gold is identified by a legally required hallmark. The stamp "333" must be clearly visible on the piece. If the hallmark is missing, the fineness can be determined by an acid test or an X-ray fluorescence analysis.
Tax notes (Malta)
The purchase of 333 gold jewellery is subject to VAT at the Maltese standard rate of 18%, because 333 gold is not tax-exempt investment gold. Under EU law, transposed into Maltese law and based on Council Directive 2006/112/EC, the VAT exemption applies only to investment gold — gold bars of at least 995 fineness and qualifying coins of at least 900 fineness.
On resale at a profit: Malta levies no capital gains tax on private disposals of movable assets such as gold jewellery. Maltese capital gains tax applies only to specific asset categories (immovable property, securities, business interests and similar). There is no German-style one-year speculation period under Maltese law. This is not tax advice; in individual cases a tax adviser should be consulted (cfr.gov.mt, legislation.mt).
In brief
333 gold, with its fineness of 33.3%, is the cheapest gold alloy that may still be marketed as "gold" in the relevant jurisdictions. For valuing a piece for purchase or melting, the melt value calculator offers quick and precise orientation.