Tsavorite Giant
Campbell Bridges Rememberedis a headline
being repeated throughout the gem world.
As we gather in Tucson for the gem shows,
this great tragedy is again on our minds. JCKonline.com reports...
"Three major gem
and jewelry industry organizations have plans to pay tribute to the late
Campbell Bridges at a memorial ceremony during the AGTA GemFair in Tucson.
Family,
friends and admirers of Campbell will participate in the tribute where his many
achievements and influence on the gemstone industry will be celebrated. The
reception will be held at the Marriott University Park Hotel, February 3,
beginning at 7 pm."
The gem world was shocked to receive this
bulletin from the American Gem Trade last August...
Campbell
Bridges Murdered at Mine in Kenya
Aug 11, 2009 – Dallas, TX: The
American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has learned that Campbell Bridges
of Tsavorite USA, Inc., and the individual credited with discovering
Tsavorite, was murdered at his mining camp in Kenya. His son Bruce was
also attacked and sustained serious, but not life threatening, injuries.
Campbell
is survived by his wife Judith, son Bruce and daughter Laura.
Mr.
Bridges was born in Scotland in 1937, and raised in South Africa. The son of a
mining engineer, he was educated and trained in geology, and he also he learned to
cut gems in Idar-Oberstein, Germany.
Campbell
Bridges then worked as a prospector in East Africa. He had his first glimpse of
the green garnet crystals (that he later named Tsavorite) in the early 1960s in
what is now Zimbabwe. However, that deposit was not of commercial value.
What
he took away from that experience was knowledge of the geology surrounding the occurrence.
In 1967 he found a commercially viable deposit of this beautiful green gem in
northern Tanganyika (Tanzania). He mined there for a few years.
In
1970, Tanzania instituted state control over mining. The ever-resourceful Mr.
Bridges traced the gem-bearing geologic formation across the border into Kenya,
where he located other commercially viable deposits.
He
established the Scorpion Mine at this location in Kenya's Tsavo National Park.
He, of course, named tsavorite after the Tsavo region..
The iconic tree house pictured above was built near the mine. It was his
family's home for the rest of his life. The tree house offers some protection
from the local lions, cobras, army ants, and other wildlife.
Campbell Bridges made a huge contribution to the gemstone industry. To learn
more about this industry giant, use the search box below and a keyword phrase
such as campbell bridges tsavorite.
A search using the keyword tsavo also returns interesting information.
Gem Industry News...
New York GIA Lab to Relocate to International Gem Tower
Press
Release
January
14, 2010: The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced plans to
relocate its New York laboratory to Extell's International Gem Tower (IGT).
GIA has signed a contract to purchase an entire floor of the tower, which
is currently under construction on 47th Street. The nearly
30,000-square-foot space will enable GIA to organize its staff and equipment in
a more efficient manner and continue to develop new services and enhanced
business processes to benefit its clients and the gem and jewelry industry.
"We are very excited about our move to the International Gem Tower,"
said Donna Baker, the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of GIA.
"We look forward to relocating our New York laboratory operations into a
single floor of the IGT. This purchase will increase our efficiency and help GIA
manage its long-term costs. The move will reinforce our commitment to the New
York and U.S. marketplace."
"GIA is the world's foremost authority on diamonds, color stones and
pearls. Its presence in the building will unequivocally establish the Gem Tower
as New York's center for the international trade," said Gary Barnett,
president of the Extell Development Company. "This prestigious Institute
clearly recognizes the value the development brings to New York's Diamond
District and we're thrilled to have them on board."
Established in 1931, GIA is a nonprofit institute with 19 locations in 14
countries. Its mission is to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry by
upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and
professionalism through education, research, laboratory services and instrument
development. GIA is best known as the inventor of the Four C's and the
International Diamond Grading System,™ which are today recognized as worldwide
standards.
The IGT will be New York City's only commercial condominium designed
specifically for the international diamond, gem and jewelry trade. Set for
completion in 2012, the tower will provide services and amenities never before
offered in New York's Diamond District — a new level of efficiency,
excellence and security that will redefine how business is done in New York.
Artist Simulation of building's appearance
Jewelry
Dealers
By the time you read this, we will be at the Tucson Gem Shows. We will
be visiting some old friends and meeting new ones. .. and we'll do a little
business along the way.
While we will visit almost every booth at the AGTA and GJX shows, we will
also visit friends at other shows during the Jump Start, along I-10, off Palo
Verde Road, and other
locations in buildings, tents, and vacant lots.
If you are attending, send us an email... maybe we can get together over some
good Mexican Food.
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