Real gold is identified by its hallmark, its density, and its behaviour under simple tests: it does not tarnish, is not magnetic, and carries a stamped fineness mark (999, 916, 750, 585 or 375). Before selling in France, knowing your item's purity and weight lets you judge whether the rate a dealer offers is fair.
The hallmark stamped on an item is the fastest way to read its purity. In France, gold jewellery is legally punched with a fineness figure that states how much pure gold it contains per thousand parts. The scale is fixed: 24-carat gold is 999, 22-carat is 916, 18-carat is 750, 14-carat is 585 and 9-carat is 375. A genuine French hallmark combines this number with an official assay mark, so an item bearing only a vague "18k" scratch and no recognised stamp deserves closer scrutiny. Older pieces may carry the eagle's-head punch for 18-carat gold. The mark drives value because fineness, alongside weight, determines how much actual gold you are selling.
A few non-destructive checks catch most imitations. Gold is not magnetic, so if a strong magnet pulls your piece, the core is another metal. Real gold does not rust, tarnish or discolour; green or black marks on skin point to plating over base metal. Gold is also very dense, far heavier than it looks, which is why weight combined with fineness matters so much. None of these home tests is conclusive on its own, and only a professional acid test or X-ray fluorescence reading confirms purity precisely. Reputable buyers test in front of you. Treat any refusal to explain how they assess your item as a warning sign, because the assessment directly sets what you are paid.
The spot price of pure gold is public and identical for everyone, but you are almost never paid the full spot rate. A buyer pays a percentage of spot value, and that buyback rate is the real variable between dealers. Your item's fineness and weight fix how much pure gold it holds; the dealer's margin fixes how much of that value reaches you. A transparent buyer will state the rate they apply as a percentage of the current spot price, which lets you compare offers on equal terms. Numismatic coins can carry a premium above their metal value for rarity and condition, so they are worth separate valuation. You can compare gold buyers in your city to see who publishes their rate.
French law protects sellers of precious metals with several mandatory rules. Payment for gold cannot be made in cash: it must be traceable, by bank transfer or cheque. The buyer must record the transaction in an official police register and verify your identity, so bring valid ID. On the tax side, a sale is subject either to the flat tax on precious metals, calculated on the sale amount, or to the capital-gains regime if you can produce proof of the original purchase. These obligations are not optional extras; a dealer who offers cash or skips the register is operating outside the law. Knowing them helps you spot a serious, compliant buyer from one to avoid.
You can rule out obvious fakes at home: genuine gold is not magnetic, does not tarnish, and feels dense for its size. But these checks are only indicative. Confirming exact purity needs a professional acid test or an X-ray fluorescence analysis, which reputable buyers perform in front of you.
A genuine French hallmark, combining the fineness figure with an official assay punch, is a strong sign of authenticity. However, marks can be forged or added to plated items, so a stamp alone is not proof. A professional test alongside the hallmark gives certainty before you sell.
Yes. 9-carat gold is 375 parts pure gold per thousand, so it is genuine gold, simply of lower purity than 18-carat (750) or 24-carat (999). It is worth less per gram because it contains less pure metal, but it is still bought and paid for on the same fineness-and-weight basis.