I walked in and was sold what was supposed to be a Tourmaline in a paladium setting for $700. Later that day I had a nagging feeling that something was too perfect about the ring.

I tookthe ringto the jeweler at the resort we were staying at and he used his meter on it. He showed me on the meter that it was actually a cyrstal. The band was stamped "925" which means it is sterling silver, not paladium.

The jeweler told me not to tell them he said it was fake, that they are known as being rough and can put him out of business. I went back to Hernandez the next day. They wanted to know the name of the person who told me that the ring was fake.Of course I did not tell them.

I asked for my money back and they refused. I told them I was going to stop payment on my credit card and they said, "good luck". Their exact words.

I left the store and went to the tourism office in San Jose Del Cabo where i was staying. I filled out a report and left it with them. I was told they would be visited by the authorities. That was it.

I came home to Ohio the next day and called mycredit cardcompany. They put a hold on the charge and said that Hernandez had 45 days (after I filed the fraud report) to prove the sale was legit.

I got a letter the middle of December saying that Hernandez had produced a signed sales slip so I would have to pay the money, or I could get "a certified profesionnal's opinion of what was incorrect with the merchandise".

I tookthe ringtoday to have it appraised and will get a formal report in a week. The jeweler, who is a certified appraiser, said that by the looks of it it would be worth about $100.

So, hopefully, thecredit cardcompany will then reimburse me. Also, I have to pay $75 for the appraisal so hopefully they will reimburse that too.

What a shame this is! I cannot believe that with as many people as have been ripped off (see postings on travel sites all over the web) the Mexican government doesn't shut them down!!

I am trying to figure out what else I can do to complain or make this known to any authorities out there. I have contacted Rancho Tours to complain about the tour guide that recommended the Hernandez Gold Factory. I have posted reviews on several travel sites where others have done the same. I logged a report with the US Attorney General's Office.

Any ideas for other ways to expose this fraud, please post a response.