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Tourmaline · Variety of Tourmaline

Liddicoatite

Complex pink, red, and bicolor zoning; famous for triangular cross-section color patterns

Bicolor Pink Red
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.619 – 1.644
Birefringence
0.015 – 0.025
Luster
Vitreous
Pleochroism
Strong Strong dichroism; each color zone shows its own pleochroism, creating a complex optical display.
Fluorescence
Inert.
Origins

Source localities

Madagascar Madagascar: Ilakaka / Andranondambo region
Very Rare ★ Top Source

Modern major source for sapphire, garnet, beryl, quartz, tourmaline and many collector gems; primary world source of liddicoatite.

88% est. supply
Worldwide Worldwide
Commercial

Broad worldwide occurrence or distribution.

12% est. supply
Treatments

Enhancement & treatment

Heat Heat Treatment, Tourmaline Heat treatment is used to improve tourmaline color and is often stable. Disclosure is…
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Needles Growth Tubes, Rain Inclusions Under 10x loupe: long thin hollow channels running parallel to each other and to… Zoning Color Zoning Under 10x loupe in immersion: bands or patches of deeper or lighter color arranged… Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may… Multiphase Two-Phase Inclusions Under 10x loupe: a transparent irregular cavity containing both a liquid phase and a…
Identification

Instruments used

Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification Dichroscope Reveals pleochroism, instantly eliminates singly-refractive stones 10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here Polariscope Determines single vs. double refraction, quick and conclusive Immersion Microscope See every internal detail clearly, the professional standard High CRI Penlight Tiny concentrated white spot for field checks, inclusions, fire, and fractures