Antoinette Matlins, Professional Gemologist, has been working with the military for over two years to stop overseas troops from being defrauded by gem peddlers, claiming to be selling them real rubies or other valuable gems, when in fact, they are not. Below is a letter sent to Matlins by a civilian contractor working overseas on a military base:

"Ms. Matlins,

If you'll forgive the intrusive nature of my communication here, there are many things I would like to say. I've been talking through email with a Connecticut gemologist about my efforts here in Afghanistan in gemology while working as a civilian contractor. I had come across a decent amateur lab for purchase and did so after gaining a great interest in the science of it all as well as the prospects in building a little treasure chest for my wife and three girls while hoping to find that I could succeed in supplying a broker and earn extra money for our family or retirement.

I may have already struck a chord relative to a recent communication between you and other society members just last week that came across my email. Yes, the one about military members being taken for their money by locals who, from my experience, don't even know what they are selling. It's not just the locals, there are contractors doing worse by selling way above their investment while not knowing fully what they are doing or just plain overstating a stone's worth. I've been talking to our Mayor (yes, these bases have military mayors) about starting a business here and the topic came up. Sure enough, a contractor is banned from base for his illicit trade and they are investigating another. These actions against our illicit peddlers may be good news to you and my guess is that news of purchases gone wrong prompted the base command to take a step against unauthorized retail sales.

My intuition tells me that the locals peddling their glass and gems are not an issue at all with leadership, as it is common sense that we can't expect a miracle for 10 bucks per carat, though with a little knowledge I believe that advice to be off to some degree. I suppose we all learn the hard way but I wish there was more I could do to help the soldiers. For now I am only able to look at their purchases and advise them to return them or help them feel confident in their new acquisition. While stating all of this I should divulge that I am nowhere near being an accredited gemologist and only give out information that I feel I have practiced and researched enough. This puts a black eye on my effort to help here but I assure everyone who wants my help that I am purely an amateur and there is only so much I can help with. It may sound as if I am looking at a lot of people's purchases, but there are only a few.

At any rate, I thought you would like to hear that at least something is being done to thwart the common thief out here though it may be, and probably always is, a little too late but nonetheless helpful.

Many good wishes, your publications are at my fingertips almost daily. Thank you so much for all the help they have provided!

Dan H."

For Antoinette Matlins' article on composite rubies, click here:

http://www.experts.com/showArticle.aspx?Articleid=408

For Antoinette Matlins' article on military personnel as victims of unscrupulous ruby dealers, click here: www.antoinettematlins.com/pressroom.html

To read an interview by Antoinette Matlins on ruby composites, click here:

thejewelryloupe.com/buyer-beware-that-ruby-may-be-a-glass-composite/

For the Accredited Gemologists Association website for consumer complaints, click here:

accreditedgemologists.org/ccq/index.php

To purchase any of Antoinette Matlins' books, please visit GemStone Press at

gemstonepress.com/category/B.html