It has come to my attention, that there are few ebayers selling gold-filled or gold-plated jewellery as REAL SOLID GOLD. I don't think it is appropriet to state names here, but I would caution ebayers to check all factors and  read the descriptions and look at the images carefully. Read the feedback of the member. We as professional jewellers, can tell even just by images at times, if the item is genuine or not. I know that is very hard for regular buyers, but there are things at times that shock. I have just seen a bracelet yesterday stated as solid 9ct gold and said to be stamped 375, but on one images the clasp was shown, with the numbers 999 marked on it ?!?!?!??! 999 stands for pure 24ct gold- which that bracelet definetely wasn't- so it was quite obvious with that one, that it was not real. Some sellers won't state if it is real gold or not and just say it is stamped 375 or 9K, well - even gold filled jewellery is stamped at times like that. Another very obvious factor- well at least obvious for anyone dealing with gold- is when a seller lists an item with a buy-now or sends a second-chance offer for a price way below of what that items gold value is worth- IF it was gold that is ! No seller would sell an item willingly at a loss, so when you get a second chance offer of $100 for an item that weighs 30grams of 9ct gold - ignore it, unless you don't mind buying fake or plated jewellery! ! I would advice every buyer that they get their purchases tested at their local jeweller if they have any doubt - but don't tell them you got it from ebay- they will talk the item down, as we ruin their business by selling at wholesale prices. But a simple acid test can confirm, wether the surface of the item is gold, but it cannot test what might be underneath.  A professional jeweller can say more confidently though if something is gold plated or bonded or filled- through skills you can only learn through years in the trade. I get many questions from interested buyers, asking if the item is stamped, which they of course usually are. But at times genuine gold items are not stamped due to different reasons. Some charms are so small, that it is just impossible to stamp it. at times some items are made quite thin, so stamping it will ruin the shape or surface of the item.,etc. So though it is a great asurance to buy a stamped item, unfortunateley it does not always guarentee you the item is genuine gold. When a buyer asks me if an item is stamped, my answer is usually - "yes it is, but apart from being just stamped it is GUARENTEED to be gold through and through. You are even welcome to get a link (if bracelet,necklace or chain) cut through to verify it , as a professional jeweller can resolder it back together without any problems, as it is real gold!" 

Am not sure if you can classify these thoughts as a guide, but just wanted to write these things down,  as it has upset me seeing items sold as solid gold, when they aren't. They just ruin genuine sellers' business- and there are many around I asure you! ! There will always be sellers that want to make quick dollars I guess, just wished everyone knew which ones to avoid!

Hope these thoughts are helpful in some way,

Happy ebaying ! !