375 Gold (9 Carat)
Also: 9 Carat, 9ct, 9K, 375/1000
375 gold denotes a gold alloy with a fineness of 375 parts per thousand (37.5%), known in the UK and other English-speaking countries as 9-carat gold and used mainly in jewellery.
375 gold — also called 9-carat gold or simply 9ct — contains exactly 0.375 grams of pure gold per gram of alloy. The remainder consists of copper, silver, zinc or other metals that determine the colour, hardness and working properties of the piece. Using the melt value calculator, the material value of a 375 item can be calculated to the second against the current gold price. In the UK, 9 carats is the lowest legally recognised standard that may be hallmarked and sold as "gold".
Fineness and the Carat Scale
The carat scale divides the weight of a gold alloy into 24 equal parts. 9 carats means that 9 of 24 parts are pure gold:
Fineness = (carat / 24) × 1000
= (9 / 24) × 1000
= 375‰
Compared with other common alloys, the differing gold contents become clear:
| Alloy | Carat | Fineness | Gold content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 333 gold | 8 carats | 333‰ | 33.3% |
| 375 gold | 9 carats | 375‰ | 37.5% |
| 585 gold | 14 carats | 585‰ | 58.5% |
| 750 gold | 18 carats | 750‰ | 75.0% |
| 916 gold | 22 carats | 916‰ | 91.6% |
| Fine gold | 24 carats | 999‰ | 99.9% |
Alloy Composition and Colours
Since 375 gold consists of 62.5% additive metals, these have a noticeable influence on colour and properties:
- Yellow gold 375: copper and silver in balanced proportion; a warmer, slightly redder tone than 585 yellow gold.
- Red gold 375: high copper content (often > 50% of the total alloy); strongly reddish colour, particularly robust.
- White gold 375: nickel or palladium as a whitener; after finishing often rhodium-plated to delay tarnishing.
The high base-metal content makes 375 gold more prone to tarnishing and oxidation than higher-carat alloys, but at the same time increases scratch resistance — an advantage for everyday jewellery.
Distribution and Hallmarking
9-carat gold is especially widespread in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Russia and parts of the Middle East as well as India. In the UK it is by far the most common jewellery standard.
The British Assay Offices stamp 9-carat pieces with the number 375 together with a town mark (an anchor for Birmingham, a leopard's head for London). In Russia the stamp 375 is likewise required by law.
In the UK, gold jewellery must be hallmarked with the metric fineness where it is described and sold as "gold". A missing or illegible mark is an early warning sign when buying scrap gold.
Melt Value and Purchase
The melt value of a 375 item follows directly from the current gold spot price:
Melt value (£/g) = gold price (£/g) × 0.375
Anyone wishing to sell old jewellery, dental gold or inherited 9-carat pieces will typically receive 70–90% of the calculated melt value from a buyer — depending on the dealer and item size. The purchase price calculator shows what range is realistic. The calculator is also suitable for dental gold in 9-carat dental alloys.
Tax Notes
Under UK law, 375 gold does not qualify as VAT-exempt investment gold — for that the fineness must be at least 995 (HMRC; Directive 2006/112/EC). Jewellery and scrap in 9 carats are subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20% on a dealer purchase, or to the margin scheme where applicable. On a private sale at a profit, Capital Gains Tax may apply on the gain (disposal proceeds minus acquisition cost) above the annual exempt amount; there is no German-style one-year speculation period. Note: This is not tax or investment advice — please consult a tax adviser for your individual case.
In Brief
375 gold (9 carat) is a robust, low-cost gold alloy with 37.5% pure gold content, particularly widespread in the UK jewellery market where it is the minimum hallmarkable standard. To find the material value of a piece, use the gold calculator or the melt value calculator.