This piece was found in 2001 and long remained in the personal collection of Madagascan government's geological exploration consultant and collector, Dr. Federico Pezzotta, who is also curator of the Museum of Natural History of Milan. Exhibiting all the characteristics of its gemmier cousin, elbaite, this robust, uncut crystal of liddicoatite clearly shows its vitreous luster and classic triangular termination along with translucence and a rich dark cranberry color. This is a major cabinet specimen for its condition and symmetry, at 500 grams in mass. It is complete all around, although the back faces are not lustrous like the front. Liddicoatite was approved as a new species by the International Mineralogical Association in 1976. The name was recently changed to fluor-liddicoatite. It is one of the species in the toumaline group and was named for Richard T. Liddicoat (1918-2002), a gemologist and former president of the Gemological Institute of America. Liddicoatite is one of the few sliced and polished species found in serious mineral collections. Fluor-liddicoatite occurs in pegmatites, primarily from Madagascar. It exhibits vitreous luster and is found in various hues, from light brown, to pink, red, blue and colorless, sometimes all in one crystal. It forms a series with the most common gem tourmaline species, elbaite. Joe Budd Photos.