375 Gold: What the 9K Stamp Means
Vazgen Martirosov
A ring from a UK high street shop, a chain bought on holiday in Ireland, a gift from Australia. Inside, a tiny 375. It is a lower number than you might hope to find on gold, and many people's first thought is: is this fake?
Quick answer: 375 gold is 9 karat gold. It means 375 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold, so 37.5%. The rest is mostly silver and copper. It is real, solid gold, just with less gold than 10K, 14K or 18K, which makes it tough and affordable. Below: what the stamp means, what is inside it, where it counts as gold, how much 9K gold is worth per gram today, and how it compares. For every other number, see our gold number code guide.
What is 375 gold?
Karats count gold out of 24, and fineness counts it out of 1,000. 9 divided by 24 is 0.375, so 9K gold is stamped 375. You may also see it as 9ct, 9K or 9KT.
What is inside 375 gold?
Think of the metal as 100 small squares. In 9K, fewer than 38 of them are gold. The World Gold Council gives a typical yellow 9K mix of 37.5% gold, 42.5% silver and 20% copper. So there is actually more silver and copper in it than gold.
That mix is why 9K looks paler than 14K or 18K, and why it is so hard. It is also why it can slowly darken over the years, as the copper and silver react with air and skin.
Is 375 gold real gold?
Yes. 375 is the lowest standard that can be sold as gold in the UK and Ireland. The World Gold Council notes that 9 carat is the legal minimum for gold in countries including the UK, France, Austria, Portugal and Ireland, while the US minimum is 10 carat and Denmark and Greece allow 8 carat.
In the UK, 375 is one of the official hallmark standards. The Assay Office London lists it with 585, 750, 916 and 999. So a hallmarked 375 piece is real gold, tested by an assay office. A stamp without a hallmark is only the seller's word, so use the checks in how to tell if gold is real if you are unsure.
375 vs 417, 585 and 750 gold
| Feature | 9K (375) | 10K (417) | 14K (585) | 18K (750) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure gold | 37.5% | 41.7% | 58.5% | 75% |
| Colour | Pale yellow | Pale yellow | Warm yellow | Rich yellow |
| Scratches | Resists them best | Resists them well | Good balance | Shows them sooner |
| Sensitive skin | Highest risk | High risk | Low risk | Lowest risk |
| Value per gram | Lowest | Low | Middle | Highest |
9K and 10K are close cousins. We cover 10K in 10K gold, and the karats we use in 585 gold and 750 gold.
Is 9K gold good?
For the right piece, yes. It is the toughest and cheapest real gold, so it shrugs off daily knocks.
- Good for: first jewelry, kids' pieces, everyday chains and rings on a budget.
- Less good for: people with sensitive skin, because more than 60% of the metal is alloy. It can also darken a little and leave a faint mark on some skin.
- Value: each gram holds the least gold of any common stamp, so it is worth the least when you sell.
How much is 375 gold worth per gram?
9K value per gram = gold price per gram × 0.375
On 10 November 2026, gold traded at about $4,074 an ounce, or $130.97 per gram. That put 9K gold at about $49.11 per gram. Gold moves daily, so redo the sum with today's price.
| Weight | Pure gold inside | Melt value (10 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 g (thin ring) | 0.75 g | about $98 |
| 5 g (chain) | 1.88 g | about $246 |
| 10 g (heavier chain) | 3.75 g | about $491 |
| 20 g (bracelet) | 7.50 g | about $982 |
Gold buyers take a margin, so offers usually land below melt value. Weigh the piece first and get more than one quote.
Why we work in 14K and 18K
We have made jewelry in Yerevan since 2010, and we do not make 9K. For pieces meant to be worn for decades, we prefer more gold: 14K for rings like the marquise engagement ring and pendants like the Tree of Life pendant, and 18K for our chains. It costs more than 9K, but you get a warmer colour, more gold per gram and less alloy against your skin.
Frequently asked questions
Is 375 gold real gold?
Yes. 375 is 9 karat, solid gold alloy with 37.5% pure gold. It is the legal minimum for gold in the UK and Ireland.
Is 375 gold 9K?
Yes. 375 is the fineness stamp and 9K (or 9ct) is the karat. They mean the same thing.
Is 9K gold sold in the US?
Not as gold. The US minimum is 10K, so 9K pieces are mostly sold in the UK, Ireland, Australia and parts of Europe.
Does 9K gold tarnish?
It can darken slightly over time because of its silver and copper. A soft cloth and warm soapy water usually bring the shine back.
Will 375 gold turn my skin green?
On some people it can leave a faint green or dark mark, caused by the copper reacting with sweat or lotion. It washes off.
Is 375 better than 585?
It is harder and cheaper, but 585 (14K) has more gold, a warmer colour and is gentler on sensitive skin.
How much is 9K gold per gram?
Multiply the gold price per gram by 0.375. On 10 November 2026 that was about $49.11 per gram.
Back to that 375
So the little 375 is not a warning sign. It is a real gold stamp, the most modest one, on metal built to take a knock. If the piece is a gift you will treasure for a lifetime, it is worth also looking at a 585 or 750 stamp.
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