Your gold chain is probably the most valuable piece of jewelry in your drawer — and you might not even know it. If you are looking to sell a gold chain in Dakar, here is some good news: chains are among the heaviest pieces of jewelry, and when you sell, it is the weight that sets the price. A chain of 20, 30 or 50 grams represents a very real sum, calculable down to the gram.
| Karat | Purity | Price per gram (spot, USD) | Jayma Or buy-back price |
|---|---|---|---|
| … | |||
But you still need to know how it is valued. Carats, weighing, the day's rate: many sellers accept the first offer that comes along, with no benchmark. This guide gives you the exact method.
At Jayma Or, we handle gold buying in Dakar every day: chains, necklaces, broken gold, gold scrap. Touchstone testing, weighing on a certified scale in front of you, price explained, cash payment the same day.
In this article, you will discover:
- why the weight of your chain is the factor that matters most;
- how to recognize the purity of your chain (18 or 21 carats, most often);
- why a broken chain or a damaged clasp changes the price almost not at all;
- the concrete steps to sell quickly, at a fair price, in FCFA and in complete safety.
Weight: your chain's number one asset
When you sell, a piece of gold jewelry is worth a simple formula: weight × purity × the day's rate. And that is precisely where the chain stands out: along with the bracelet, it is one of the heaviest pieces of jewelry there is.
A fine chain weighs 3 to 5 grams. But a curb-link chain, a figaro link or a heavy chain worn by a man easily exceeds 20, 40, even 80 grams. Every gram counts in the calculation: that is why the weighing must be done on a certified scale, to the tenth of a gram, and always in front of you.
Beware of an estimate made "by eye", without weighing. On a heavy chain, a few "forgotten" grams represent a real difference in FCFA.
18 or 21 carats: identifying the purity of your chain
The second element of the calculation is the purity — what is called the fineness. Most chains sold in Senegal and the surrounding region are 18-carat gold (75% gold) or 21-carat gold (87.5% gold). For a complete reference: 24 carats = 99.9% gold, 14 carats = 58.3%.
How can you tell?
- Look for the hallmark. It is usually found on the clasp or on a small ring near the clasp: "750" or "18K" for 18-carat gold, "875" or "21K" for 21-carat gold.
- No readable hallmark? No problem. The touchstone test, carried out in front of you, determines the fineness in a few minutes, without damaging your chain.
At equal weight, a 21-carat chain is worth more than an 18-carat chain, quite simply because it contains more gold. To understand in detail the difference in value between the different levels of fineness, see our page on buying 18 and 14 carat gold.
Clasp, solder joints, broken chain: what counts (and what does not)
This is the question we are asked most often: "my chain is broken, is it still worth anything?" The answer is yes, almost as much as an intact chain.
- A broken chain sells very well. We buy the gold it contains, not its condition. A broken link takes nothing away from the weight of gold.
- The clasp and the solder joints weigh almost nothing. A clasp sometimes contains a small steel spring, and the solder points may be of a slightly different fineness — but across the whole chain, the impact on the price is minimal.
- Scratches and wear have no importance whatsoever. Gold does not "wear out" in value: a gram of scratched gold is worth a gram of new gold.
In other words: do not pay for a repair before selling, that is money wasted. A whole chain, a chain in pieces, simple gold scrap: everything is weighed and everything is paid for.
The price: always based on the day's rate
The third element of the formula is the price of gold, which changes every day depending on the global market. We will never quote you a figure frozen in an article: it would be wrong by tomorrow. The right reflex is to check the price of gold in Senegal today before selling: there you will find the price per gram in FCFA, carat by carat.
Do the test right now: weigh your chain approximately (a kitchen scale already gives you a rough idea), multiply by the price per gram for its carat, and you get a realistic range. To go further on the calculation method, read how much your gold jewelry is worth.
Sell your chain in 4 simple steps
- Locate the hallmark (or not — the test will determine it).
- Check the day's rate to find out the price per gram for your carat.
- Send us a photo via WhatsApp at +221 78 111 66 87 for a free estimate, with no obligation.
- Come in for the test and the weighing in front of you — touchstone, certified scale, price explained (weight × purity × rate), then immediate cash payment. Can't come in? We send a trusted courier to your home or your office.
Frequently Asked Questions
My chain is broken into several pieces: does it lose value?
No. We buy the gold by weight, whatever the condition of the piece. A chain in pieces is weighed exactly like an intact chain: only the total weight and the fineness count.
Does the clasp lower the price of my chain?
Very little. The clasp represents only a tiny fraction of the total weight. If it contains a steel spring, only that small element is deducted — the impact on a chain of several grams is negligible.
How do I know if my chain is 18 or 21 carats?
Look for the hallmark near the clasp: "750" = 18 carats (75% gold), "875" = 21 carats (87.5% gold). Without a hallmark, the touchstone test, carried out in front of you, settles it in a few minutes.
Should I clean or repair my chain before selling it?
No, and above all no paid repair: you would not recover that expense. The cosmetic condition does not enter into the calculation; bring your chain as it is.
When am I paid, and how?
Immediately after the test, the weighing and your agreement on the price: cash payment, in FCFA, the same day — usually within a few minutes.
Take action: your chain is worth money today
You now know the essentials: weight sets the price, the fineness is verified in front of you, and a broken chain sells just as well as a new one.
Get your free estimate in a few minutes: send a photo of your chain via WhatsApp at +221 78 111 66 87, or book an appointment. Check the day's rate, come with your national ID card (CNI), and leave with your money in cash — the same day.