Dallas Symposium 2017: 09 - Bruce Bridges

Renowned for his discovery of Tsavorite, Campbell Bridges was also Tiffany and Co.’s consultant geologist on Tanzanite and the person to bring the first Tanzanite for identification to the United States. His geological expertise allowed him to lead successful, if often perilous, hunts for some of the world’s rarest gemstones in the uninhabited bush of East Africa. His buccaneering life featured frequent brushes with snakes and scorpions, big cats and buffalo; and of course the story of his discovery of Tsavorite in the Tanzanian bush in 1967. In addition, Bruce will discuss the evolution and development of the famed Scorpion Mine and the Tsavorite mining industry over the past five decades up to and including the present day mining landscape in Kenya. Cambell’s son, Bruce, has followed in his footsteps and will share first-hand experiences from the family’s long history in mining adventures.