There is no single fixed buyback price for 18k gold per gram. The starting point is the public spot price of pure gold, adjusted for 18k fineness (750/1000). What each dealer actually pays you is that base minus their margin, expressed as a buyback rate. The spot price is identical for everyone; the rate is where offers differ.
Value comes from measurable facts, not opinion. Four things drive it:
A hallmark (the eagle head for 18k in France) confirms fineness and speeds verification, but a professional will still test the metal.
Because the spot price is public and shared, the only real variable is the buyback rate. Every buyer starts from the same market quote for pure gold on the day. From there each applies a margin to cover refining, testing, overheads and profit. The percentage of the spot value they actually hand over is the buyback rate, and dealers are under no obligation to publish it. A shop paying, say, a higher share of the 18k base value gives you more for the identical gram than one keeping a wider margin. This is why comparing offers matters more than chasing a headline price: two quotes for the same ring can differ purely on rate. You can compare gold buyers in your city to see who is transparent about their terms.
Selling gold in France follows strict, non-negotiable rules that protect the seller. Payment must be traceable: the buyer pays by bank transfer or cheque, never in cash. You must show valid photo ID, and the transaction is logged in a mandatory police register (livre de police) that records your details and the items. On tax, two regimes apply: a flat-rate tax on precious metals levied on the sale price, or, if you can prove your original purchase with an invoice, the capital-gains regime which can be more favourable and tapers with holding time. Keep any proof of purchase, as it affects which option you can choose. These rules apply the same whether you are a resident, an expat or a visitor.
Take the day's spot price for pure gold and multiply by 0.750, the fineness of 18k. That gives the metal value of one gram before any dealer margin. The price you are offered is that figure minus the buyer's rate.
The French eagle-head hallmark indicates 18k, but a buyer will still test the metal to confirm fineness and weigh it precisely. The hallmark helps, yet the physical assay is what sets the final quote.
No. The law requires traceable payment by bank transfer or cheque, along with photo ID and entry in the dealer's police register. Any buyer offering cash is not operating legally.