To sell a gold necklace or chain in France, get its fineness and weight established first, then compare the buyback rate (the percentage of the daily spot price a dealer actually pays) rather than headline prices. The spot price is public and the same for everyone; the dealer's margin is where offers diverge.
Four measurable factors set the melt value of any gold necklace: fineness, weight, hallmark and the day's spot price.
Multiply the pure-gold weight by the live spot price and you have the raw melt value. What you are paid is a percentage of that, and that percentage is negotiable.
Because the spot price is identical for all, but the buyback rate is not. Spot is quoted publicly on the markets and moves daily, sometimes hourly. Every buyer starts from that same number.
The difference lies in the margin: one dealer might pay 85% of the melt value, another 70%, for a chain of identical fineness and weight. Dealers are under no obligation to publish this rate, which is exactly why comparison matters. A worn chain is bought for its metal, so brand or design rarely adds value. An antique or collectable piece can carry a numismatic or craftsmanship premium above melt, but that is the exception, not the rule. Before accepting an offer, ask what percentage of the current spot price is being paid, and compare gold buyers in your city.
The transaction is regulated, and cash is not permitted. A professional buyer must pay by bank transfer or cheque so the payment is traceable; a dealer offering cash is acting outside the law.
On tax, selling precious metals is subject either to a flat tax on precious metals or, if you can produce proof of the original purchase, to the capital-gains regime, which can be more favourable and tapers with how long you have owned the piece. Keep any receipts or certificates: without proof of purchase, the flat-tax route usually applies by default.
No. Professional gold buyers must pay by traceable means, meaning bank transfer or cheque. A cash offer is a red flag that the buyer is not operating legally.
Yes. Valid photo ID is mandatory, and the buyer must record the sale in an official police register. This applies to any professional purchase of gold.
Look up the public spot price, work out the pure-gold weight from the fineness stamp, then ask each dealer what percentage of that value they pay. Comparing buyback rates side by side reveals who offers the best margin.