While cleaning up photos on my computer I came across this interesting one. 

I am always looking for ways to bring my customers rough even when I'm not able to travel to the source. Sometimes I employ locals in that effort. Usually the arraignment is to provide room and board and then a percentage on top of any stones they can source.
Here is the budget for providing room and board to a local buyer in Mahenge Tanzania.

The amounts are in Tanzania Schillings and are equal to around $400 U.S. The budgeted amounts are provided to me by my buyer, as I honestly have very little understanding of local cost of living. But one glance can see how inexpensive it is. Notice the line item for family...they are always taken care of.

Things don't always go according to plan....the results of this effort? Zero stones and lots of frustration.