The lapidary guild.

A hurried phone call from Hobart today, cut short (as usual) by flat phone batteries. Ben spent last night at Lake Sorell, arriving well after dark and unable to find the camp ground on a pitch black night. There were log cabins and one had windows aglow so he knocked on the door to ask directions. Inside was a large group of men who turned out to be Vietnam veterans on their annual outing. He stayed for the night, drinking tea while they drank other beverages. He told them he was part-Vietnamese and made sure to mention that the 'part' was from the south and not the north. Today he met a member of the lapidary guild and has arranged to have three topaz and one sapphire cut. Ben has only met two gem cutters; they both were old and had really poor eyesight. Not sure I'd entrust valuable gems to people who couldn't see properly. The cheapest way to have gems cut is to send them to Thailand. The recommended company is Lambert Holdings where stones are cut for a few dollars per carat. Not sure I'd entrust valuable gems to strangers overseas. He'll stay somewhere in Hobart tonight. I asked if he needed some money and the phone cut out before he could answer. I'll assume he's OK then.