Campbell R. Bridges (1937 – 11 August 2009) was a Scottish-born Kenyan gemologist.[1]
Bridges, originally from Scotland, lived in Kenya with his family and regularly mined for rare gemstones with his son Bruce Bridges.[2] The discovery of the green variety of garnet known as tsavorite and the importation of tanzanite into the west solidified his reputation and led to a consultancy with Tiffany & Co. in 1973.[3]
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.[4] Kenyan police made an arrest for the murder on 19 August 2009. As of late 2012, the trial of the eight people charged in the crime continues.[5] As of December 2014, murderers Mohammed Dadi Kokane, Alfred Njuruka Makoko, Samuel Mwagainia and James Mwita are sentenced to a total of 160 years in prison by Judge Maureen Odero.
- ^ "Tsavorite Garnet - english". Archived from the original on 10 June 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
- ^ "British Gems Expert Dies in Kenya Gang Attack". Sky News/Yahoo. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2008. [dead link]
- ^ McConnell, Tristan (13 August 2009). "Gem expert Campbell Bridges killed by Kenyan mob after mining row". The Times. London. Retrieved 20 August 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Mob kills UK gems expert in Kenya". BBC News. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
- ^ "In Kenya Bridges Family Waits". National Jeweler. 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.