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Spring 2002 Gems & Gemology Spring 2002 VOLUME 38, NO. 1 EDITORIAL 1 Richard T. Liddicoat: Celebrating 50 Years of Leadership William E. Boyajian FEATURE ARTICLES 2 The Ultimate Gemologist: A Tribute to Richard T. Liddicoat Dona M. Dirlam, James E. Shigley, and Stuart D. Overlin A look at the extraordinary career of Richard Liddicoat. 14 Portable Instruments and Tips on Practical Gemology in the Field Edward W. Boehm An essential guide to the use of portable instruments when purchasing gems. 28 Liddicoatite Tourmaline from Anjanabonoina, Madagascar Dona M. Dirlam, Brendan M. Laurs, Federico Pezzotta, and William B. (Skip) Simmons pg. 3 Explores the world’s primary source of this remarkable calcium-rich lithium tourmaline, named in honor of Richard T. Liddicoat. 54 Star of the South: A Historic 128 ct Diamond Christopher P. Smith and George Bosshart A history and characterization of this famous diamond. NOTES AND NEW TECHNIQUES 66 Identification of Yellow Cultured Pearls from the Black-Lipped Oyster Pinctada Margaritifera Shane Elen How absorption features can establish the origin of these cultured pearls. pg. 22 73 Serendibite from Sri Lanka Karl Schmetzer, George Bosshart, Heinz-Jürgen Bernhardt, Edward J. Gübelin, and Christopher P. Smith A characterization of this rare gem material from Sri Lanka. REGULAR FEATURES 80 Gem Trade Lab Notes • Color grade vs. value for fancy-color diamonds • Diamond with eclogitic inclusions • Diamond with a large void • Genthelvite: A second occurrence • Jadeite carving: Assembled, dyed, and impregnated • Coated natural pearls • Spinel in heat-treated sapphire 86 Gem News International • Special report: New corundum treatment from Thailand • Tucson 2002: Symposia • Amethyst and fluorite from Afghanistan • “Stingray” coral • Canadian emeralds • Andesine feldspar from Congo • Fluorite from the Rogerley mine, England • Demantoid garnet from Iran • Kyanite from Nepal • Pargasite from China • Ruby from northern Kenya • Black spinel from Mexico • Nigerian elbaite with Cu • Vesuvianite from Kenya and Madagascar • Star opal triplets • Plus: Emeralds from Hiddenite, North Carolina • Star emerald from Madagascar • Tourmaline “slider” in quartz 107 The Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award 109 2002 Gems & Gemology Challenge 111 Book Reviews pg. 86 114 Gemological Abstracts RICHARD T. LIDDICOAT: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP arely does one encounter an individual who materials and especially the intricacies of pearls R alters the course of history. It is even more such as the “Tahitian” yellow cultured pearls rare to know a person of such stature, or to have described by Shane Elen. I wonder, though, if there is the chance to work under his or her leadership. a greater thrill for any gemologist than the opportu- nity to examine a new gem material, as with the I have been privileged to work for, and alongside, serendibites characterized by Dr. Karl Schmetzer and Richard T. Liddicoat throughout my nearly 27 years Mr. Liddicoat’s colleague for more than 60 years, Dr. at GIA. I have seen him, in good Edward Gübelin, along with times and bad, endure challenges other prominent gemologists. and tribulations, and never fal- ter. I know him to be a man of I suppose it would be enough to extreme intelligence, impeccable have established diamond grad- character, and genuine humility. ing and other standards for the He is a unique combination of gem and jewelry trade, to have warmth and charm, drive and educated countless thousands in dedication. the field, or to have contributed mightily to the gemological lit- This issue of Gems & Gemology erature over the course of his honors Richard Liddicoat’s 50 long and successful career. But years as chief editor of the jour- perhaps the greatest gift Richard nal. Each paper represents a dif- Liddicoat has given us is the ferent aspect of his contribution example he set for an industry to gemology. The lead article, by and its professionals. Not only Dona Dirlam and others, gives us a glimpse into his is he a beloved and respected leader, but he also has life, his passion, and his accomplishments in an lived out a work ethic and a commitment to pur- industry he loves and for the public he serves. In pose that are both rare and resounding. honor of his leadership in the field of gemology, researchers at the Smithsonian Institution bestowed As we look back over the years, and his achieve- the name liddicoatite on a new gem tourmaline ments, we recognize that they are unparalleled: a species in 1977. The article on liddicoatite in this gem mineral named after him; awards and honors issue contributes greatly to our understanding of this from GIA, the American Gem Society, the American beautiful but enigmatic gem. Gem Trade Association, and numerous other organi- zations; and a lasting impact on thousands who Throughout his career, Richard Liddicoat has focused revere him as the “Father of Modern Gemology.” on gem identification and instruments to make this process easier and more efficient, sharing knowledge Yet one of Richard Liddicoat’s most appealing qual- that greatly influenced the development of the con- ities is that he has never realized how great he truly temporary field instruments and techniques dis- is. This issue of Gems & Gemology is a tribute to cussed in Edward Boehm’s piece. But he is also fasci- his character and to what makes him, in my mind nated with the lore of fabulous stones, like the Star of and in the minds of all who know him, a man who the South diamond described by Christopher Smith has altered the course of history in the gem and and George Bosshart, that have contributed so much jewelry world. to the rich history of our industry. The issue rounds off with short articles on two top- ics of particular interest to Richard Liddicoat—pearls and new gem materials. Although a mineralogist by William E. Boyajian, President training, he has long had a fondness for organic Gemological Institute of America EDITORIAL GEMS &GEMOLOGY SPRING 2002 1 THE ULTIMATE GEMOLOGIST: A TRIBUTE TO RICHARD T. LIDDICOAT By Dona M. Dirlam, James E. Shigley, and Stuart D. Overlin “If I have seen farther . it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Isaac Newton On this occasion—the celebration of Richard T. Liddicoat’s 50 years guiding Gems & Gemology— it is fitting to review his enormous impact on the field of gemology. This includes the development of GIA’s education program, the creation of the quality-grading system for polished diamonds that is now accepted worldwide, numerous contributions to the gemological literature, involvement in new gem-testing techniques and instruments, and the establishment of a formal research program. His greatest achievement, however, has been his personal influence on the professionalism and ethical standards of the international gem and jewelry industry. ith this special issue of Gems & dence. At the time, no such organization existed in Gemology, we celebrate the 50th anni- the U.S. In the early 1930s, Shipley—working in Wversary of Richard T. Liddicoat (figure 1) partnership with his wife Beatrice—stimulated as editor and now editor-in-chief of GIA’s quarterly interest among jewelers by traveling across the U.S. professional journal. This festschrift, or special cele- to retail stores, where he would preach the benefits bratory issue, provides a welcome opportunity to of gemological education. In the evenings in his review his contributions to gemology, especially in hotel room, Shipley would write courses for jewel- five main areas: education, diamond quality grad- ers to take through correspondence. He established ing, gem identification, instrument development, the beginnings of an educational institute in Los and global information outreach. Following the lead Angeles with a small staff that grew slowly over the of GIA’s founder, Robert M. Shipley, Liddicoat posi- next decade as resources allowed. Together, he and tioned GIA as a leading international educational his staff created lessons, gave instruction on gem- institution, grading laboratory, manufacturer of gem stones and their properties, and began the process of instruments, and research center. Those who have helping jewelers correctly identify the gem materi- had the privilege to know and work with him have als they handled (Gilbert, 1977). been able to expand the frontiers of gemology “by By 1940, Shipley realized the need for additional standing on the shoulders” of this giant. leadership at GIA. His son, Robert Shipley Jr., who had worked closely with him in recent years, had signed up for military service. Shipley contacted THE EARLY YEARS Chester B. Slawson, a mineralogy professor at the Robert M. Shipley founded the Gemological University of Michigan in Ann Arbor who was Institute of America in Los Angeles, California, in 1931. His vision was to create an institution that would promote professional education in gemology See end of article for About the Authors and Acknowledgments. for jewelers in the United States, allowing them to GEMS & GEMOLOGY, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 2–13. buy and sell with increased knowledge and confi- © 2002 Gemological Institute of America 2 RICHARD T. LIDDICOAT GEMS & GEMOLOGY SPRING 2002 Figure 1. Since 1940, Richard T. Liddicoat’s con- tributions to gemological education, diamond quality grading, gem identification, and gemological research and instrument develop- ment have advanced the study of gemology through- out the world. As a former president of GIA, now Chairman of its Board of Governors, and chief editor of Gems & Gemology for five decades, he has had a profound influence on the gem and jewelry industry. co-author of one of the leading gemology texts at degree in geology in 1939 and a master’s degree in that time, Gems and Gem Materials (Kraus and mineralogy in 1940. Slawson, 1939), as well as one of GIA’s educational On June 28, 1940, Liddicoat joined the GIA staff advisors.
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