「過了這村沒有那店」這篇文章在博客網上登出後，收到不少來函，有的也談到她們的慘痛經驗，希望大家提高警覺，記取教訓，但我們這些婆婆、媽媽、姐姐、妹妹們，往往好像產後的新媽媽，分娩過程中，痛不欲“生”，不久後，又見獵心喜，所有的疼痛忘到九霄雲外。

在星加坡購買的「祖母綠」日前已交給春秋旅行社處理，他們已託下一團的領隊帶回星加坡。令我對國內旅行社的負責態度（某些有知名度的大公司）感到欣慰。

來去交涉將頗費時日，但旅行社重視本身的信譽和口碑，對隨團團員負有「義不容辭」連帶責任，從今往後，我建議凡有遊客申訴屬實的公司，應列入拒絕往來户，不應再帶團員上門，以免後患。

昨日收到休士頓友人程偉華的來函，得到他的同意後在此與各位分享，希望大家對寶石「原石」和價位有一點概念。偉華是休士頓某大石化公司下屬公司的總經理，是一位成功的工程師，雖然他不是珠寶商人，但對寶石頗有研究。在此附上他的來函，以後大家也可以向他請教有關寶石類的問題，他願意和朋友們分享他的心得。

葦婷於滬2006年3月22日

Dear Ingrid:

Thanks for all the e-mails which I have missed during my two weeks trip to Brazil.　I’ve just made it back to Houston this morning.　Hope all is well .

After reading your article on shopping for precious stones (Gems stones), I was amazed how easy we got persuaded to buy things on the tour that were very expensive and yet not worth as much.　First of all, every one should study and learn about precious stones (read books) and the market prices before buying.　However, that is not easy to come by, hence,　most of us learnt by experience.　The first one you paid for the tuition and then hopefully you know how to bargain for your next buy.　

When I traveled to Brazil, I met many oriental they came to buy precious stones (gemstones) because Brazil is the major precious stones supplier in the world.　Some stones only produce in Brazil.　Ruby is not one of them (Best Ruby is in　Burma), however, Brazil produces so called Rubylite which looks like Ruby but the price is much lower.　So, you don’t want to pay Ruby price.　Most of the emerald comes from S. America (Colombia has the best, Brazil second).　However, Brazil also produces a green tourmaline that looks like emerald and the price is much cheaper.　 The prices of the precious stones vary by 4Cs: Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut (similar to Diamond).　The starting price for whole sales loose precious stones in local Brazil are as follows:　(Cut stones but mounted)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

US$ /carat　　　　
Amethyst (purple)　　　　　　　　　5 and up
Citrine (yellow)　　　　　　　 5 and up
Topaz (mainly blue)　　　　　　　 8 and up
Tourmaline (rainbow color)　10 and up
Aquamarine (light blue)　　　　15 and up
Emerald (green)　　　　　　　　　 20 and up

Both the sapphires and ruby are not native to Brazil.　Sapphires prices should be close to Aquamarine and Ruby close to emerald.　

There are website one can look and enjoy the beauty of these precious stones (not buy):

http://www.wilenskyminerals.com/

Due to my travel and my sisters/brothers in jewel business, I pay some attention towards this area.　We can talk some more in the future.　

Finally, my experience is if you like the piece you bought, please enjoy it instead of regret of paying too much.　With best regards,
Dominic