Tell me about 333 gold please!

I was looking at an auction listing today and a pair of coral earrings were stamped 333. I googled and it said probably German or European 8ct gold but I can’t find out when the stamp was used?
Any help please?
Thankyou

 

Thanks Davey, I have that one saved now , It’s a really useful site.
Is the stamp still in use now though?

 

Looks like the UK doesn't recognize any thing below 9ct as gold.
https://assets.publishing.service.g...6/hallmarking-guidance-notes-october-2016.pdf

 

The USA doesn't recognize anything below 10. Melts just fine though.

 

Is 333 still used anywhere now though?. I’ve seen it a few times and wonder if it helps with dating pieces marked as such.

 

Germany.
in Switzerland it's forbidden to call it gold.

 

I agree, German. I wouldn't know which other European countries would use 8ct, probably just a nonsense site. Most European countries don't even accept 9ct as gold.

Mind you, if they are nice and at a good price, I would buy them.
If you sell them, always be sure to mention it, which you would do anyway.

I just read on a German site that 'gold' with such a low gold content tarnishes more easily, and is not hypo-allergenic. The other metals in German 333 gold are silver, copper and nickel, so that is important to know for people with a nickel allergy.

 

I didn’t bid as I felt there was something ‘off’ about them but wasn’t sure what it was. Possibly that they were trying to be something that they weren’t. I now know about 333 gold though