Rats share characteristics with gold (8)
I believe the answer is:
traitors
'rats share' is the definition.
'traitors' can be an answer for 'rats' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not sure about the 'share' bit.
'characteristics with gold' is the wordplay.
'characteristics' becomes 'traits' (I've seen this before).
'with' is an insertion indicator.
'gold' becomes 'or' ('or' is the heraldic name for gold).
'traits' placed around 'or' is 'TRAITORS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for traitors that I've seen before include "They betray causes and countries" , "Bad eggs" , "Double-dealers" , "Quislings, collaborators 98)" .)