Two pieces of the same weight can be worth very different amounts — and the only reason is the karat. It's the single most important fact about gold buyback, and yet it's the one many sellers overlook when the time comes to sell.
| Karat | Purity | Price per gram (spot, USD) | Jayma Or buy-back price |
|---|---|---|---|
| … | |||
Torn between selling an 18-karat ring and a 14-karat chain? Wondering which is worth more? The answer comes down to one number: the percentage of gold actually contained in each piece. Once you understand it, you know exactly what to expect.
At Jayma Or, we buy back 18-karat gold and 14-karat gold every day in Dakar. We test the karat, we weigh in front of you, we explain the price, and we pay cash, the same day. Here's how the karat changes everything.
In this guide, you'll discover:
- what 18 karat and 14 karat really mean as a percentage of gold;
- why two pieces of the same weight don't carry the same price;
- how the buyback price of 18-karat gold is calculated, karat by karat;
- how to check the karat of your own jewelry.
Gold buyback by karat: what 18K and 14K mean
The karat measures the purity of gold — that is, the proportion of pure gold in the metal. Here are the exact benchmarks to know:
- 24 karat: 99.9% gold (pure gold).
- 21 karat: 87.5% gold.
- 18 karat: 75% gold.
- 14 karat: 58.3% gold.
In other words, in an 18-karat piece, three quarters of the metal is gold. In a 14-karat piece, only a little more than half. The rest is made up of other metals (copper, silver…) that don't enter into the buyback calculation.
Why the price changes with the karat
Gold buyback rests on a simple formula: weight × purity × the day's rate. Purity is the karat. So, at equal weight, the higher the karat, the more gold the piece contains, and the higher its buyback price.
Let's compare two pieces of the same weight:
- An 18-karat ring contains 75% gold.
- A 14-karat ring contains 58.3% gold.
The 18-karat ring therefore contains noticeably more gold, and its buyback price is mechanically higher. It's not a matter of negotiation: it's arithmetic. That's why identifying the karat is the very first step before putting a number on anything.
To understand the complete formula and the role of the day's rate, read our guide on gold buyback in Dakar and the price per gram.
18-karat gold buyback price: how we arrive at the amount
For an 18-karat piece, the calculation happens in three steps:
- We confirm the karat. A test verifies that it really is 18 karat (75% gold).
- We weigh the piece. The exact weight, to the tenth of a gram, is recorded on a scale, in front of you.
- We apply the day's rate. The price per gram for 18 karat is drawn from the day's world market rate.
Want a concrete benchmark before coming in? Check the price per gram of 18-karat gold in Senegal on our site. And if you're wondering what a specific ring is worth, our article on the value of an 18-karat gold ring in Dakar gives you the method.
14-karat gold buyback: a lower karat, but very real
14-karat gold contains 58.3% gold: that's less than 18 karat, but it's still a real, fully buyable value. Never throw away a piece simply because it's "only" 14 karat: at sufficient weight, it represents a worthwhile sum.
The principle is identical: we test, we weigh, we apply the day's rate for 14 karat. The only difference from 18 karat is the purity percentage applied in the formula.
How to check the karat of your jewelry
Before selling, do this little bit of homework: it puts you in a position of strength.
- Look for the hallmark. On most jewelry, a hallmark indicates the karat: 18K or 750 for 18 karat, 14K or 585 for 14 karat.
- Sort by karat. Separate your 18-karat, 14-karat, etc. pieces: each batch will be evaluated at its own price.
- Have it confirmed by a test. Is the hallmark illegible or missing? A quick test determines the karat precisely, without damaging the piece.
Try it right now: find the hallmark on your ring, then estimate how much your gold jewelry is worth before you even contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 18-karat gold buyback pay more than 14 karat?
Yes, at equal weight. 18-karat gold contains 75% gold versus 58.3% for 14 karat. It therefore contains more pure gold, and its buyback price is higher.
How do I know if my piece is 18 or 14 karat?
Look for the hallmark: 18K/750 for 18 karat, 14K/585 for 14 karat. If it's missing or illegible, we determine it with a quick, harmless test, in front of you.
Do you also buy back 21- and 24-karat gold?
Yes. We buy back all karats, from 14 to 24. The higher the karat, the larger the gold share: 87.5% for 21 karat, 99.9% for 24 karat.
Does a broken 18-karat piece keep its value?
Yes. Whether the piece is broken, mismatched, or damaged, it's the amount of gold at 75% that it contains that determines its price.
Does the 18-karat price per gram change every day?
Yes. It follows the world market rate for gold, which changes daily. The price per gram by karat is displayed on our home page.
Take action: get your gold appraised by karat
You now know why the karat sets the price, and how the buyback of 18-karat and 14-karat gold is calculated. The last step is to check it on your jewelry.
Get a free, no-obligation estimate: send a photo of your jewelry via WhatsApp to +221 78 111 66 87, or book an appointment. We test the karat, weigh in front of you, and pay cash the same day.
Find the hallmark on your jewelry, compare it to the day's rate, then write to us: in a few minutes you'll know what each piece is worth, karat by karat.