Antoinette Matlins is an internationally respected gem and jewelry expert, author, and lecturer whose expertise is sought worldwide by clients who retain her to seek fine, rare, or unusual gems and jewels for acquisition.

She has written many books that have helped people—both consumers and professionals—increase their understanding and enjoyment of jewelry and gems. Her books include:

• Jewelry & Gem—The Buying Guide: How to Buy Diamonds, Pearls, Colored Gemstones, Gold & Jewelry with Confidence and Knowledge (The first and only book of its kind ever offered by Consumer Reports—now available worldwide in many languages.)
• Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love
• Gem Identification Made Easy: A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying and Selling
• The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide—How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Pearls
• Colored Gemstones: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide—How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gemstones with Confidence and Knowledge
• Diamonds: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide—How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Diamonds with Confidence and Knowledge
• Jewelry & Gems at Auction: The Definitive Guide to Buying & Selling at the Auction House & on Internet Auction Sites 

Gemology editor for National Jeweler magazine for a decade, her articles and comments appear in consumer magazines such as Vogue, the Robb Report, Bride’s, Business Week, Forbes, US News & World Report, Condé Nast Traveller, Smart Money, and First. She was also the author of the “Gemstones” section of the Encyclopedia of Investments.

Antoinette Matlins spearheaded the nationwide campaign against gemstone investment telemarketing scams and has gained wide recognition as a dedicated and effective consumer advocate. A popular media guest, she is seen educating consumers and exposing fraud on shows such as ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, NBC’s Today, CNN’s Daywatch and World Report, Oprah, Inside Edition, and CNBC’s Power Lunch.

In addition to her work with private clients, Ms. Matlins provides consulting services to companies in the gem field, including mining companies, jewelry firms, and trade organizations. She has also served as an expert witness for the United States Attorney’s Office and for plaintiffs and defendants in matters dealing with fraud and misrepresentation involving gems and jewelry.

Ms. Matlins has developed an extensive international network of gem dealers, master metalsmiths, designers, and other resources for her work. Through this network, and working with collectors and investors, she enables clients to acquire unusual pieces, and to make their acquisitions with confidence—and at costs significantly below retail.

Based in Virginia, Ms. Matlins travels the world extensively, advising individuals and companies on buying and selling gems and jewelry. With her exceptional understanding of gemstones and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the jewelry business, she assists clients with locating everything from an engagement ring to a rare period jewel, from an exceptional natural fancy-color diamond to an unusual carved cabochon or the rarest of fine gems. She also manages the design and creation of equally unusual jewelry for these gemstones.

PG – Professional Gemologist, awarded by Columbia School of Gemology, which closed following the death of its  founder, Antonio C Bonanno. Bonanno was the Founder of the AGA, and also Antoinette’s father. In the year 2000, the AGA created he Antonio C  Bonanno Award For Excellence in Gemology in his honor, today one of the most coveted awards in the field of gemology. Matlins was also presented this prestigious Bonanno award in 2005, in recognition of her contributions in the area of education, through her books and lecture programs, media work to expose fraud, and for her work with an AGA committee that was instrumental in guiding revisions to the FTC guides for the jewelry trade in the 1980s. Antoinette and her father published the first and only book ever recommended by Consumer Reports on gems and jewelry, and she has now written 8 non-technical books on diamonds, gemstones, pearls, engagement & wedding rings, and gem identification techniques, including  with multiple editions of each. Her books have won national and international awards, are now published in 10 languages, and have sold over 500,000 copies.

Gem-A (FGA, Hon), AGA, AGTA

AGA Board of Directors, The International Pearl Society, Author of 8 books (available today in 10 languages)

Honorary Member of the Gem-A; Recipient of the AGA  Antonio C Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology;