A single tenth of a gram can change the price you receive for your gold. Multiply it by the day's rate, then by several pieces, and the gap becomes very real. That is why weighing is not a technical detail: it is one of the two pillars of your gold's price, along with purity.
Are you bringing in a chain, a bracelet, a handful of scrap? Before any calculation, you need to know their exact weight. And that weight must be established precisely and before your eyes. A weighing done out of sight, on a scale you can't see, has no value as proof.
At Jayma Or, we weigh the gold we buy back in Dakar every day, on a precision scale, in front of you. We explain the result, and we pay cash the same day. Here is how gold is really weighed - and how to check that you are being weighed correctly.
In this article, you will discover:
- why weight matters so much in the final price;
- which scales are used to weigh gold, and their precision;
- the units to know (gram, tenth, and the traps of other units);
- how to recognize an honest weighing.
Why weight makes the price
The value of gold rests on a simple formula: weight x purity x the day's per-gram rate. Weight is therefore one of the three direct levers of the amount you receive. The more finely it is measured, the fairer the price.
This is also why an estimate "by eye", without a scale, is worthless: no one can guess the weight of a piece to the gram. If someone quotes you a value without placing your gold on a scale, that is a warning sign. To understand the other pillar of the price, see the methods for checking the purity of gold.
The scales used to weigh gold
Serious jewelers and gold buyers use precision digital scales, capable of measuring to the tenth of a gram (0.1 g), or even the hundredth (0.01 g). This level of fineness is necessary because, with such a precious metal, every fraction counts.
A few benchmarks for a reliable weighing:
- A stable, flat surface: a scale sitting unevenly distorts the reading.
- A visible zeroing (tare): the display must read 0.00 before the piece is placed on it.
- A display turned toward you: you must read the weight at the same time as the professional.
- Separate weighings by karat: you don't mix 18 and 21 karat on the scale, because they don't have the same value per gram.
This last point is essential: your jewelry must be sorted by purity before being weighed, otherwise the calculation is distorted.
Grams, tenths… and the trap units
In West Africa, gold is weighed and traded in grams. It is the clear, universal unit. Be wary of vague or old units sometimes used to keep up the confusion:
- The gram is the reference: simple, verifiable, displayed on the scale.
- The troy ounce (about 31.1 g) is used for the world rate, but the final calculation comes back to the gram.
- Local or traditional units can be confusing: always insist on a weight in grams.
Try it: ask for the weight in grams and the per-gram rate for your karat. With these two figures and the purity, you can recalculate the value yourself. It's simpler than it seems.
How to recognize an honest weighing
A transparent weighing always follows the same rules:
- It is done in front of you, never in the back room.
- The scale is zeroed before your eyes before each weighing.
- The weight is announced out loud and readable on the display.
- The price is then explained: weight x karat x the day's rate.
If one of these steps is missing, ask about it. A serious professional has no reason to hide anything: transparency is in his interest as much as in yours. This is exactly the method we apply, and which we detail in our guide on how to resell your jewelry in Dakar.
Frequently Asked Questions
To the tenth of a gram, does it really matter?
Yes. With gold, every tenth of a gram has a real value, especially multiplied by several pieces. A precise scale and a visible reading guarantee that you are paid for all your gold.
Should I clean my jewelry before the weighing?
It isn't essential, but removing dirt avoids slightly distorting the weight or the tests. There is no need, however, to remove clasps or links: it is the total gold weight that counts.
Are set stones counted in the weight of the gold?
No, and this is important: the weight of the stones must not be paid at the price of gold. An honest professional accounts for this when evaluating a set piece.
Can I weigh my gold myself before coming?
Absolutely, and it is even recommended. A small kitchen scale already gives an order of magnitude. You will arrive knowing roughly what your gold weighs - your best protection.
Do you weigh broken gold and scrap the same way?
Yes. Broken gold, scrap, single links: they are weighed like everything else, by karat. The amount of gold contained determines the value, whatever the condition.
Take action: have your gold weighed in full transparency
You now know why weight makes the price, how gold is weighed correctly, and how to recognize an honest weighing. The last step: have your jewelry weighed by professionals.
Get a free, transparent estimate: send a photo of your jewelry by WhatsApp to +221 78 111 66 87, or make an appointment. We weigh to the tenth of a gram in front of you, explain the calculation, and pay cash the same day.
Don't let anyone estimate your gold without a scale. Check the day's rate, then write to us: you will see your gold weighed before your eyes, to the gram.