333 Gold (8 Carat)
Also: 8 Carat Gold, 8ct, 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%. The remaining roughly 66.7% consists of alloying metals, typically copper, silver and zinc, which determine hardness, colour and workability. Note that in the United Kingdom the minimum legal fineness for an item to be described as "gold" is 9 carats (375‰), so 333 gold cannot be hallmarked or sold as gold in the UK – it appears mainly on imported items and scrap.
How the Carat Figure Arises
The carat scale divides 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 an item based on this fineness.
Composition and Colour Variants
The choice of alloying metals produces different 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 people. In the UK and EU, the REACH Regulation limits nickel release from products with prolonged skin contact.
Areas of Use
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 and Russia, 333 gold was historically widespread
- Scrap gold and broken gold: older pieces from Eastern Europe often carry this alloy
Calculating the Melt Value
The material value follows 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 £75/g:
4 g × 0.333 × £75/g = £99.90
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
In contrast to 585 gold (14 carat) or 750 gold (18 carat), 333 gold has a considerably 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 delivers 0.585 g.
The gold calculator computes the current material value based on the daily gold price and the respective fineness.
Marking and Hallmarks
In the UK, articles described as gold must carry a UK hallmark; however, since the minimum UK standard is 9 carats, 333 gold cannot be legally hallmarked as gold here. On imported items the stamp "333" may appear. Where a mark is missing, the fineness can be determined by an acid test or an X-ray fluorescence analysis.
Tax Notes
Under UK law, the purchase of gold jewellery – including 333 gold – is subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%, since 333 gold is not VAT-exempt investment gold. The VAT exemption applies exclusively to investment-grade gold bars and coins with a fineness of at least 995 (HMRC; Directive 2006/112/EC).
On a later sale at a profit, Capital Gains Tax may apply. The gain is calculated as disposal proceeds minus acquisition cost and is taxable above the annual exempt amount. There is no German-style one-year holding period. Legal-tender coins from The Royal Mint are CGT-exempt, but jewellery and scrap are not. This is not tax advice; consult a tax adviser for your individual case.
In Brief
333 gold, with its fineness of 33.3%, is the cheapest gold alloy commonly encountered on the continent, though it falls below the UK minimum standard of 9 carats. To determine its value on purchase or melting, the melt value calculator offers quick and precise guidance.