Liddicoatite Tourmaline

Item Description

A wonderful specimen of the now lesser-seen Liddicoatite Tourmalines from Madagascar. When it comes to species of Tourmalines, research is showing that many crystals actually contain two or more species, so it's difficult to label a single crystal as a single species anymore. These particular crystals from Madagascar have been considered Liddicoatite for many years, but I have been told that this may not be entirely accurate as new analysis keeps showing how complex Tourmaline crystals truly are in terms of their chemistry. This piece is a wonderful example of these attractive Tourmalines featuring what some might call a "Rubellite" color in reflected light. I will say there is a slightly purplish overtone to the crystal on the surface, that sets it apart from more famous Rubellites Malkhan, Russia or the Jonas Mine in Brazil, but when the crystal is backlit, you get a completely different experience as it shows a warm golden-peach hue inside! The back of the crystal features small bladed Albite (var: Cleavelandite) for a nice touch. A good quality example of these now hard to find specimens from Madagascar, which have dried up in recent years.