Campbell R. Bridges
Encyclopedia
Campbell R. Bridges was a Scottish gemologist
.
Bridges, originally from Scotland, lived in Kenya with his family and regularly mined for rare gemstones with his son Bruce Bridges. The discovery of the green variety of garnet
known as tsavorite
and the importation of tanzanite
into the west solidified his reputation and lead to a consultancy with Tiffany & Co.
in 1973.
Bridges was attacked by a gang of 20 men armed with clubs, spears, bows and arrows in the town of Voi
and died of his injuries on arrival at hospital. He was 71. Kenyan police made an arrest for the murder on 19 August 2009. However, other suspects remain at large and no trial has been held.
Gemology
Gemology or gemmology is the science dealing with natural and artificial gems and gemstones. It is considered a geoscience and a branch of mineralogy...
.
Bridges, originally from Scotland, lived in Kenya with his family and regularly mined for rare gemstones with his son Bruce Bridges. The discovery of the green variety of garnet
Garnet
The garnet group includes a group of minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. The name "garnet" may come from either the Middle English word gernet meaning 'dark red', or the Latin granatus , possibly a reference to the Punica granatum , a plant with red seeds...
known as tsavorite
Tsavorite
Tsavorite or tsavolite is a variety of the garnet group species grossular, a calcium-aluminium garnet with the formula Ca3Al2Si3O12. Trace amounts of vanadium or chromium provide the green color....
and the importation of tanzanite
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite which was discovered in the Mererani Hills of Northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro. It is used as a gemstone...
into the west solidified his reputation and lead to a consultancy with Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. is an American jewelry and silverware company. As part of its branding, the company is strongly associated with its Tiffany Blue , which is a registered trademark.- History :...
in 1973.
Bridges was attacked by a gang of 20 men armed with clubs, spears, bows and arrows in the town of Voi
Voi
Voi is a market town in southern Kenya, lying on the edge of the Tsavo National Park. It lies at the junction of the railway lines from Nairobi to Mombasa and Taveta. Also the Voi Sisal Estates are located near the town. Voi is also located near some Taita villages like, Ikanga and...
and died of his injuries on arrival at hospital. He was 71. Kenyan police made an arrest for the murder on 19 August 2009. However, other suspects remain at large and no trial has been held.
External links
- Campbell Bridges - Daily Telegraph obituary