The facts
What liddicoatite actually is
Mineralogically, liddicoatite is liddicoatite (tourmaline supergroup) — Ca(Li₂Al)Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₃F, crystallising in the trigonal system.
The colour is caused by mn, Fe and Cr in strongly sector-zoned domains producing the famous triangular growth patterns. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.621–1.641, and the specific gravity sits near 3.02–3.06; cleavage is indistinct.
Where liddicoatite comes from
The recognised sources are Anjanabonoina, Antananarivo, Madagascar and Antsirabe, Madagascar.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How liddicoatite is treated
Untreated; the value is in the cross-sectional pattern, so slices are sold as art objects as much as gems. Calcium-dominant analogue of elbaite, named after Richard Liddicoat.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What liddicoatite is confused with
The usual confusions are Elbaite, Watermelon tourmaline and Printed imitations.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.621–1.641 and specific gravity 3.02–3.06 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What liddicoatite is used for
Liddicoatite is bought by mineral collecting, decorative objects and jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen, by the piece or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 7–7.5; cleavage indistinct. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What liddicoatite costs
Indicative pricing for liddicoatite is Slices $20–500 per piece by pattern.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is liddicoatite treated, and how?
Untreated; the value is in the cross-sectional pattern, so slices are sold as art objects as much as gems. Calcium-dominant analogue of elbaite, named after Richard Liddicoat.
Where does liddicoatite come from?
Anjanabonoina, Antananarivo, Madagascar and Antsirabe, Madagascar. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is liddicoatite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does liddicoatite cost?
Indicatively Slices $20–500 per piece by pattern. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is liddicoatite confused with?
Most often Elbaite, Watermelon tourmaline and Printed imitations. A refractive index of 1.621–1.641 and a specific gravity near 3.02–3.06 separate it quickly.
What is liddicoatite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and decorative objects. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for liddicoatite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about liddicoatite