Episode 164: Guest Bruce Bridges

The Jewelry District

JCK

Business News, Fashion & Beauty, Business, Arts, News

4.9 • 50 Ratings

🗓️ 28 January 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview Bruce Bridges, president and CEO of Bridges Tsavorite and president of AGTA. Their deep, sprawling conversation covers Bruce’s upbringing in Kenya, his family’s deep ties to mining in Africa, and the complex, devastating story of his father Campbell Bridges’ murder. Beyond the details of what happened that day and Bruce’s long, arduous fight for justice, he also shares his father’s legacy: the gems Campbell is famous for discovering and naming as well as his dream of creating an elephant sanctuary on the family’s mining claims. Bruce shares his insights into the current state of the tariffs and his perspective on how they are affecting the gem shows in Tucson. Finally, he teases some of the special gems he’ll be showcasing there. Title Sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com) Sponsor: Facets of Fire (facetsoffire.com/centurion)

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the Jewelry District, a podcast by J.C.K. brought to you by De Beers.
0:16.0	Today, Rob Bates and Victoria Gamalski talked to Bruce Bridges, President and CEO of Bridges Sovereight and president of AGTA.
0:30.0	Hey everyone, welcome to the jewelry district.
0:33.2	This is Victoria Gamelski, editor-in-chief of J-CK and J-C-K Online.com, calling in from Los Angeles.
0:40.4	And I'm with...
0:41.3	Rob Bates, news director of J-C-K and J-C-K Online.com, calling in from New York City.
0:49.1	How goes it, Rob?
0:50.3	I'm okay. I'm about...
0:52.3	Usually, you're the one with the travel plans. However, this time I actually have travel plans. I'm going to go to Florida in a little bit to the CBG show, which will be over by the time this comes out, give a little talk on the what's going to happen in the industry over the next year. I have about four or five days to come up with something intelligent to say on that topic.
1:13.4	And yeah, I'm psyched. It will be nice to get some sunny weather.
1:18.3	Yeah. And is it in Miami or is it somewhere else?
1:20.5	Yes, it's Miami. Yes. Great city.
1:22.6	It is. Magic City, they call it. Well, that's exciting. So that's next week. I love your
1:26.8	prognostications.
1:28.2	So maybe someone will record it and I could hear them. And you're going to Tucson. I believe.
1:34.6	Well, I am. I just got home from Vail. I happen to join a first trip and managed to get a little skiing in, which was lovely.
1:43.0	And then Tucson, of course, we're looking forward to that.
1:45.7	That's my next big trip.
1:46.7	The gem shows start later this month, January, and carry on for several weeks into February.
1:52.3	I'll be there for the duration of the AGTA show.
1:55.7	February 2nd to the 6th, I believe.
1:58.7	Our guest today is, can certainly tell us precisely what those are,
	...

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