It is with a heavy heart that I write about the sudden and tragic loss of a pioneer, legend, friend and college, Scottish gemologist Campbell Bridges (71) near the town of Voi in southern Kenya on August 11, 2009.
Campbell was very well known and respected in the gemstone world for his many contributions. In the mid-1960s he was a consultant for many of the Tanzanite miners in Tanzania when Tanzanite was first discovered. In 1967, he was the first to bring blue zoisite (now called Tanzanite) to the US for identification by the Gemological Institute of America. Additionally, he was engaged as a consultant for Tiffany and Company when they took over the Tanzanite production.
In 1967 in Tanzania and in Kenya in 1970 he discovered Tsavorite (green grossular garnet). He introduced Tsavorite gemstones to Tiffany and Company and they introduced this exceptional gemstone to the jewelry world in 1974. Tsavoirte is the fantastic clear bright gemstone that has become popular as an accent stone over the last few years. And for those fortunate enough to own a larger Tsavorite, they understand the rare beauty they possess.
He was a lifelong environmentalist and wildlife conservationist. He developed and perfected mining techniques that would have a minimal impact on the environment. He was a force in the gem world as a Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association of the GIA, and through his founding roles in other Gemstone and Mine associations. He was also a well known lecturer and writer. Click here to visit his website – Tsavorite USA.
According to news reports, Campbell was murdered by a Kenyan mob when he and his son Bruce and 4 Kenyan employees were returning to their mine. Bruce was injured trying to assist his father, as were two of the Kenyan employees. Apparently he and his son were having disputes with miners who had been illegally digging for gems on the family’s licensed mining camp. Click here to read more from the Times (UK).
Parts of Africa are still fraught with natural dangers - wild animals, snakes, scorpions, heat, etc. but Campbell survived them all. It is a tragedy to lose this good man to murder. Although I have not been in close contact with Campbell over the last few years, I will miss him. I will remember sharing good laughs over our tall tales and sharing our mining experiences in Africa. My heart goes out to his wife Judy, his son Bruce and his daughter Laura.
Campbell was very well known and respected in the gemstone world for his many contributions. In the mid-1960s he was a consultant for many of the Tanzanite miners in Tanzania when Tanzanite was first discovered. In 1967, he was the first to bring blue zoisite (now called Tanzanite) to the US for identification by the Gemological Institute of America. Additionally, he was engaged as a consultant for Tiffany and Company when they took over the Tanzanite production.
In 1967 in Tanzania and in Kenya in 1970 he discovered Tsavorite (green grossular garnet). He introduced Tsavorite gemstones to Tiffany and Company and they introduced this exceptional gemstone to the jewelry world in 1974. Tsavoirte is the fantastic clear bright gemstone that has become popular as an accent stone over the last few years. And for those fortunate enough to own a larger Tsavorite, they understand the rare beauty they possess.He was a lifelong environmentalist and wildlife conservationist. He developed and perfected mining techniques that would have a minimal impact on the environment. He was a force in the gem world as a Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association of the GIA, and through his founding roles in other Gemstone and Mine associations. He was also a well known lecturer and writer. Click here to visit his website – Tsavorite USA.
According to news reports, Campbell was murdered by a Kenyan mob when he and his son Bruce and 4 Kenyan employees were returning to their mine. Bruce was injured trying to assist his father, as were two of the Kenyan employees. Apparently he and his son were having disputes with miners who had been illegally digging for gems on the family’s licensed mining camp. Click here to read more from the Times (UK).
Parts of Africa are still fraught with natural dangers - wild animals, snakes, scorpions, heat, etc. but Campbell survived them all. It is a tragedy to lose this good man to murder. Although I have not been in close contact with Campbell over the last few years, I will miss him. I will remember sharing good laughs over our tall tales and sharing our mining experiences in Africa. My heart goes out to his wife Judy, his son Bruce and his daughter Laura.
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