Selling the jewelry of a loved one is never a simple transaction. Behind a chain, a pair of earrings, or an inherited ring, there is a face, memories, sometimes a grief that is still recent. And often there is also a family, an estate to settle, decisions to make together — at the very moment when you feel least able to.
If you are reading these lines, you do not need to be rushed. You need clear information, a respectful person to talk to, and the right to take your time.
At Jayma Or, we regularly welcome families in this situation, as part of our gold buyback in Dakar business. Our role is not to convince you to sell: it is to tell you, precisely and in front of you, what each piece of jewelry is worth — and to let you decide.
In this article, you will find:
- how a respectful and discreet valuation of inherited jewelry works;
- how to share the value fairly among heirs;
- an alternative to selling if you are not ready to part with the jewelry;
- answers to the questions families ask us most often.
Take all the time you need: there is no rush
Let us start with what matters most: you are under no obligation to sell, not today, not tomorrow. Gold does not expire. Its value follows the world market, not your calendar. An inherited piece kept six months longer has lost nothing — and you may have gained the peace of mind needed to decide.
Be wary, however, of anyone who pushes you to "sell fast." Haste is a poor adviser, especially in grief. Only one thing is worth doing early: knowing the real value of the jewelry. Knowing is not selling. It is simply giving yourself the means to decide — alone or as a family — on a fair basis.
A valuation in front of you, with discretion
The valuation of inherited jewelry takes place here like any valuation, but with particular care:
- Everything is done in front of you. Each piece is tested on the touchstone to determine its purity (24, 21, 18, or 14 carats), then weighed on a certified scale, before your eyes. The jewelry never leaves your sight.
- Every price is explained. Weight x purity x the day's rate: you see the calculation, piece by piece. To get an idea before you even come in, check the gold price in Senegal today.
- No pressure, no commitment. The estimate is free. You can leave with all the jewelry, sell only part of it, or come back weeks later. The decision is entirely yours.
- Complete discretion. Your family story is nobody's business but yours. If you prefer not to travel, we can send a trusted courier to your home, or start with a simple photo on WhatsApp.
Sharing fairly among heirs
This is one of the most delicate points of an estate: how do you divide jewelry of different values without creating tension? Two chains that "look alike" can have very different values — one in 21 carats (87.5% pure gold), the other in 14 carats (58.3%), one weighing 15 grams, the other 8.
The fair solution is simple: have each piece weighed and valued separately. Each piece thus receives an objective value in FCFA, based on its weight, its purity, and the day's rate — not on appearances or on anyone's memories. From there, the family can:
- divide the jewelry into lots of equivalent value, each keeping some pieces;
- sell all or part and share the sum down to the last franc;
- let one heir keep a piece they are attached to, compensating the others at its fair value.
A neutral valuation, quantified and explained in front of everyone, settles many discussions. Many families come together, precisely so that everyone sees the same weighing and hears the same calculation.
Not ready to sell? Consider gold safekeeping
Sometimes you need cash — estate fees, unexpected expenses, projects — without being ready to part permanently with a relative's jewelry. It is a situation we understand, and there is an in-between solution: gold safekeeping in Dakar, also known as a sale with right of redemption.
The principle: you sell your jewelry, you receive money immediately, and you keep the option to buy your jewelry back later, intact, within an agreed period of up to 3 months. The family heirloom thus stays in the family, while helping you out today. For many heirs, this is the solution that reconciles the heart with the needs of the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sell all the inherited jewelry at once?
No. You can have the whole set valued, then sell only certain pieces and keep the others. Many families keep one or two symbolic pieces and sell the rest.
Do old or damaged pieces still have value?
Yes. The buyback value is based on the gold content: weight x purity x the day's rate. An old, outdated, or even broken piece is bought back at the same price per gram as a recent piece of the same carat.
Are any special documents needed to sell inherited jewelry?
A valid national ID card (CNI) will be requested, as for any sale: it is a normal and protective practice. If the estate is shared, the simplest approach is to come as a family or by common agreement among the heirs.
Can you value the jewelry without our being obliged to sell?
Yes, and that is exactly what we recommend. The estimate is free and without commitment: you learn the exact value of each piece, then you decide freely, at your own pace.
How can we be sure the sharing among heirs is fair?
By having each piece weighed and valued separately, in front of all the heirs if possible. Each piece receives an objective, verifiable value, based on the certified scale and the day's rate — not on impressions.
When you are ready, we will be here
Whether it is to learn the value of the jewelry, to organize a peaceful division, or simply to ask questions, you can write to us with no commitment at all.
Start with a simple photo: send it by WhatsApp to +221 78 111 66 87 for a first free and discreet estimate, or make an appointment whenever the moment suits you. Valuation in front of you, full explanation, and a decision that is yours alone.