Skip To Content
Go to gemstones.com homepage
Sign In
Recommended searches
Gemopedia
  • Ruby
  • Sapphire
  • Tanzanite
  • Diamond
  • Emerald
  • Opal
  • Moissanite
  • Peridot
  • All Gemstones in Gemopedia
Shop Gemstones
  • Shop Jedora Gemstones
  • Shop JTV Gemstones
Videos
  • All About Black Diamonds
  • Unboxing a Million Dollars in Gemstones!
  • Unboxing Emeralds: Gemologist vs. Geologist
  • Unboxing Rough Diamonds
  • Unboxing Garnet: Rhodolite, Pyrope, Demantoid
  • Marvel Cinematic Gemstones
  • All About Pearls and How They're Made
  • Fun Facts About Tanzanite
  • Freshwater Pearls vs. Saltwater Pearls
  • All Videos
Articles
  • Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Beauty
  • Gemstone Color
  • Gemstone Origins
  • Optical Properties
  • Rare Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Luster
  • Phenomenal Gemstones
  • All Articles
Showcase Collections
  • Quartz Gemstones
  • Organic Gemstones
  • American Gemstones
  • Birthstones
  • Mineral Specimens
  • Colors of Tourmaline
  • All Showcases
Gemstone Discovery App
  • Download the App
About Us
  • About Us
Feedback
  • Survey
Account
  • Account Information
  • Author Biography
  • Articles
  • Gemstones Home
  • Gemopedia
  • Liddicoatite

Liddicoatite

Tourmaline

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Liddicoatite Polished Liddicoatite Rough
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Liddicoatite Colors
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care

Liddicoatite is a calcium-rich lithium species of tourmaline named in 1977 in honor of noted gemologist Richard T. Liddicoat. Gems may form in green, pink, red, blue and purple colors, sometimes with internal multicolor banding and zoning. Large crystals are often sliced to display their natural multicolor designs.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Liddicoatite
Species
Tourmaline
Transparency
Transparent - Translucent
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire Value: 0.017
Refractive Index
1.621-1.627
Tolerance:(+0.011/-0.009)
Birefringence
0.018-0.02
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
CCF Reaction
None
Pleochroism
Dichroic, moderate to strong, varying shades of body color
Hardness
7.5
Streak
Light Brown, White
Specific Gravity
3.02-3.05 Typical: 3.020
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
Liddicoatite is a type II clarity stone. Stones might contain liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.
Luster
Vitreous
Stability
Very Good
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage
Poor, in two directions
Chemical Name
calcium lithium aluminum bora-silicate hydroxide
Chemical Formula
Ca(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Crystal System
Trigonal
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Liddicoatite Colors

  • Brown Liddicoatite
    Brown
  • Multi-color Liddicoatite
    Multi-color
  • Green Liddicoatite
    Green
  • Pink Liddicoatite
    Pink
  • Red Liddicoatite
    Red
  • Blue Liddicoatite
    Blue

Alternate Names

Fluor-Liddicoatite

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; Russian Federation; Viet Nam; Czechia; Sri Lanka; United States of America; Madagascar; Portugal; Canada; Sweden; Unknown; Norway; Brazil; Poland; Italy; Nigeria

Care

Normal Care

Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

Sign up for the latest from Gemstones.com!

 
 
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Request a Partner Invitation

©  America's Collectibles Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.