Minerals & Gemstones of East Africa, by Bruce Cairncross

Minerals & Gemstones of East Africa, by Bruce Cairncross. Penguin Random House South Africa. Imprint: Struik Nature. Cape Town, South Africa 2019. ISBN 9781775845560 / ISBN 978-1-77-584556-0

Minerals & Gemstones of East Africa by Bruce Cairncross showcases and examines those occurring in the five countries that make up East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.

Bruce Cairncross  

The geology along the Mozambique Orogenic Belt - which runs from Madagascar through Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and into the Sudan - has blessed East Africa, particularly Kenya and Tanzania, with a fascinating array of coloured gemstones and minerals. As a member of a family that has been in the East African gem and mineral industry for three generations - starting in what was then Tanganyika (now mainland Tanzania) and then progressing to Kenya - I am proud to say that the coloured gemstones of these countries are among the finest in the world. The region and its gems are particularly dear to my family, as my father, Campbell Bridges, was the discoverer of tsavorite in both countries, and the first person to bring tanzanite to the United States for identification and to introduce it to Tiffany & Co. An interesting fact is that both of the national gemstones of Kenya and Tanzania (tsavorite and tanzanite, respectively) occur within a 160-kilometre radius of the iconic landmark Mt Kilimanjaro. Another unique aspect of these two extraordinary gemstones is that they are produced in commercial quantities only in East Africa. While tsavorite and tanzanite are the most renowned gemstones from East Africa, this region is also host to some of the world's finest examples of spinel (Mahenge), ruby (Winza), pink sapphire (Baringo), colour-change sapphire (Umba), spessartite (Loliondo), rhodolite (Taita), malaya garnet (Umba), colour-change garnet (Taita), hessonite (Taita), aquamarine (Samburu), chrome and yellow tourmaline (Taita). The importance of the gem and mineral bounty of East Africa to the world market cannot be overstated and the gems found here can be seen in jewellery at the finest ateliers throughout the world. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Bruce Cairncross' new book Minerals & Gemstones of East Africa, which is a welcome update and addition to the literature on gemstone resources of East Africa. On a personal note, it was wonderful to learn that Dr Cairncross was not only writing a book on a subject so connected to my family, but that he shares my father's alma mater, having received his PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Minerals & Gemstones of East Africa is an introduction to the fascinating geology of the region, including a map depicting underlying geology and mineral occurrence, with detailed descriptions of minerals, including their gemological properties, history, occurrence and diverse uses across all spheres of life (from jewellery to numerous household items and even space-shuttle components). It furthermore provides multiple full-colour photographs of each mineral and gem specimen and an invaluable reference for collectors, gemologists, students and anyone with an interest in the earth sciences.

This is an excerpt from Minerals & Gemstones of East Africa, by Bruce Cairncross.

Title: Minerals and Gemstones of East Africa
Author: Bruce Cairncross
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2019
ISBN 9781775845560 / ISBN 978-1-77-584556-0
Softcover, 21 x 25 cm, 144 pages, specimen and locality photographs