The figure 375 corresponds to 9 Carats .
This means that the alloy in your jewelry contains 375 thousandths of pure gold (i.e. 37.5%), the remainder being composed of other metals.
The story of this number
You examine your jewelry with a magnifying glass and discover this small number engraved inside the ring or on the clasp: 375. No "K", no "Carat", just this mysterious number.
This is a very common question: What does 375 gold correspond to in carats? Is it real gold?
In jewelry, there are two languages for discussing purity: the historical language (carats) and the official technical language (thousandths). This quick guide helps you instantly understand exactly what you have in your hands.
Conversion Table: Thousandths to Carats
The hallmark "375" is not a serial number, it's a precise percentage of precious metal. Here's a table to translate the most common figures into carats:
| Punch (Thousandths) | Carat Appellation | Percentage of Pure Gold |
| 375 | 9 Carats | 37.5% |
| 585 | 14 Carats | 58.5% |
| 750 | 18 Carats | 75.0% |
| 999 | 24 Carats | 99.9% |
375 gold is therefore the lowest legal gold alloy allowed to be called "gold" in France. It is often referred to as "low-grade" gold.
What is 375 gold composed of?
This is where the difference in quality comes into play. If your piece of jewelry contains 37.5% gold (the number 375), what are the other components made of? 62.5% remaining ?
This alloy is primarily composed of filler metals less noble:
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Copper : To harden the metal and give it a pinkish tint.
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Money : To soften the yellow color.
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Zinc: For mechanical resistance.
It is this high concentration of copper and silver that explains why 375 (9k) gold tends to oxidize and change color over time, unlike 750 (18k) gold.
Want to compare the quality?
Are you hesitating between 9k and 18k for your next purchase and want to know which one is more durable?
👉 Read our full comparison: 9k Gold vs 18k Gold, which one to choose?
How to Recognize 375 Gold (The Symbol)
In France, the number alone is not always enough. The state guarantees the gold's purity with a tiny graphic symbol called hallmark .
For 375 (9-carat) gold, this official symbol is the Three-leaf clover .
If you see this small clover engraved on your jewelry, it confirms that it is indeed 9-carat gold.
Do you see another symbol?
A Minerva head? A seahorse? An eagle's head?
🔎 Consult our Gold Hallmark Guide to identify your jewelry >
Calculate the "Gold" value of 375
This is a useful mathematical trick if you own broken 375 gold jewelry or if you want to understand the price of a new piece of jewelry.
Since it contains only 37.5% gold, its actual value as a precious metal is much lower than that of 18-carat gold.
The calculation to be done:
Weight of the jewelry in grams x 0.375 = Actual weight of 24k fine gold
Concrete example: A thick 10-gram chain made of 375 gold actually contains only 3.75 grams of pure 24-karat gold. The rest is just copper and silver.
Conclusion: Gold 375 or Gold 750?
"375" is a technical standard that defines 9-carat gold. It is an entry-level gold, often used for affordable costume jewelry, but which requires more maintenance.
At the house of At La Fille du Sud , we leave you the choice of carat, with our 375 Gold (9 carats) range or the 750 Gold (18 carats) range.