The real price of your ring is engraved inside the band, and most sellers have never even looked at it. If you are thinking of selling a gold ring in Dakar, it all starts with that tiny hallmark hidden inside the ring: it indicates the fineness, that is, the actual proportion of gold your jewellery contains. Together with the weight and the day's spot price, it is what determines how much you will receive.
| Karat | Purity | Price per gram (spot, USD) | Jayma Or buy-back price |
|---|---|---|---|
| … | |||
A wedding band you no longer wear, an engagement ring from another life, a signet ring inherited from a parent: each one has a precise value, calculable down to the gram. You just need to know how it is assessed, and what happens to the stones.
At Jayma Or, gold buying in Dakar is our daily business: rings, wedding bands, signet rings, broken gold and gold scrap. Touchstone testing, weighing on a certified scale in front of you, a price explained in full transparency, and cash payment the same day.
Here is what you are about to discover:
- where to find your ring's hallmark and how to read its fineness;
- how stones are handled (diamond, cubic zirconia, coloured stone);
- why signet rings and men's rings are often the most worthwhile to sell;
- the method to estimate your ring yourself, even before you make the trip.
The hallmark: your ring's identity card
Take off your ring and look inside the band, in the light. You should see a tiny inscription: this is the hallmark, which indicates the fineness of the gold.
- "750" or "18K": 18-carat gold, meaning 75% pure gold, the jewellery standard.
- "875" or "21K": 21-carat gold, meaning 87.5% gold, very common in Senegal.
- "585" or "14K": 14-carat gold, meaning 58.3% gold.
- "999" or "24K": 99.9% pure gold, rare for a ring, as it is too soft.
Is the hallmark worn away by years of wear, or absent? This is common, and it is not a problem: the touchstone test, carried out in front of you, determines the fineness within minutes without damaging the ring. At equal weight, a 21-carat ring is naturally worth more than an 18-carat one: our page on buying 18- and 14-carat gold details these differences.
And the stones? Valued separately, never mixed in with the gold
This is what sets a ring apart from other jewellery: many rings hold a stone. Here is how we proceed, in complete honesty:
- The stone is valued separately from the gold. During weighing, its weight is distinguished from that of the metal: you are never paid "at the gold price" for the weight of a stone, and conversely the gold is counted in full.
- A genuine diamond can add value. Depending on its size and quality, it is appraised separately. Bring the certificate if you have one.
- Cubic zirconia and costume stones add nothing, but they take nothing away either: the gold of the setting keeps its full value.
A missing stone, a bent prong? It makes no difference to the gold: we also buy damaged settings and gold scrap.
Signet rings and men's rings: the heavyweights of resale
Not all rings are worth the same at weighing. A thin woman's wedding band weighs 2 to 4 grams. A massive man's signet ring can exceed 10, 15, sometimes 20 grams. And at resale, the formula is unforgiving: weight x purity x the day's spot price. The heavier the ring, the more it brings in.
If you are selling a man's ring, see our dedicated article on the price of a men's gold ring in Dakar. And for a classic 18-carat ring, we have detailed the calculation in the value of an 18-carat gold ring in Dakar.
Estimate your ring yourself before selling
You can get a realistic range in three steps:
- Read the hallmark inside the band to find out the fineness.
- Weigh the ring, even roughly (stone deducted if it is bulky).
- Multiply by the per-gram rate for its carat. The price changes every day with the global market: check the gold price in Senegal today, displayed in FCFA carat by carat.
That way you arrive already knowing the ballpark figure, your best protection against a lowball offer. The final figure is confirmed after the test and weighing on a certified scale, carried out in front of you, with a price explained from A to Z.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my ring is real gold?
Start by looking for the hallmark inside the band (750, 875, 585...). If there is none, only a reliable test settles it: at Jayma Or, the touchstone test is carried out in front of you, free of charge, within minutes.
What happens to my ring's stone when I sell?
It is valued separately. A genuine diamond is appraised separately and can increase the price; a costume stone is simply not counted. In every case, the gold of the setting is paid at its true weight.
My engagement ring has sentimental value: can I get some money without selling it for good?
Yes. Our gold safekeeping service (sale with right of buy-back) lets you get cash immediately while keeping the option to recover your ring later. Ask about it during your visit.
Does an engraved or misshapen wedding band lose value?
No. Engraving, scratches or distortion change nothing: gold is bought by weight and fineness, not by appearance. A broken setting sells as gold scrap, at the same rate.
What documents do I need to bring to sell my ring?
A valid national ID card (CNI) is enough. Identity verification is a normal practice that protects the seller as much as the buyer. Payment is made in cash, in FCFA, the same day.
Take action: get your ring valued for free
Hallmark, weight, stone, the day's spot price: you now know exactly how your ring will be assessed, with no surprises and no jargon.
Send a simple photo of your ring on WhatsApp to +221 78 111 66 87 to receive a free estimate, with no obligation, or book an appointment. Test and weighing in front of you, price explained, immediate cash payment, and if needed, a trusted courier comes to you.