Liddicoatite
A material that is NOT an approved mineral species
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About Liddicoatite
Formula:
Ca(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Colour:
Light-brown, pink to red, green, blue, rarely white.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
7½
Specific Gravity:
3.02
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named for Richard T. Liddicoat (1918-2002), gemologist and president of the Gemological Institute of America
Tourmaline Group. Elbaite-Liddicoatite Series. Close to UM2008-52-SiO:AlBCaFFeHLiMgNa.
Note on the nomenclature: the "liddicoatite" holotype (Dunn et al., 1977) is F-dominant on the W-site, although the originally suggested formula was OH-dominant. Therefore the type material has been redefined as fluor-liddicoatite (Henry et al., 2011); "liddicoatite" is currently a non-approved species.
The sample characterised in detail by Aurisicchio et al. (1999) is OH-dominant.
Material analysed by Breaks et al. (2008) and Ertl et al. (2020) is also OH-dominant and therefore liddicoatite according to the new nomenclature.
NOTE: All localities listed here under "liddicoatite" should be checked if they are to be assigned to fluor-liddicoatite or liddicoatite (or elbaite; see Bosi et al., 2021).
Note on the nomenclature: the "liddicoatite" holotype (Dunn et al., 1977) is F-dominant on the W-site, although the originally suggested formula was OH-dominant. Therefore the type material has been redefined as fluor-liddicoatite (Henry et al., 2011); "liddicoatite" is currently a non-approved species.
The sample characterised in detail by Aurisicchio et al. (1999) is OH-dominant.
Material analysed by Breaks et al. (2008) and Ertl et al. (2020) is also OH-dominant and therefore liddicoatite according to the new nomenclature.
NOTE: All localities listed here under "liddicoatite" should be checked if they are to be assigned to fluor-liddicoatite or liddicoatite (or elbaite; see Bosi et al., 2021).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Liddicoatite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2395
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2395:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
71a244e7-4e27-4193-957e-1ba9e3d73f5a
Classification of Liddicoatite
9.CK.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
K : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings, with insular complex anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
K : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings, with insular complex anions
Dana 7th ed.:
61.3.1.4
61.3.1.2
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
3 : Six-Membered Rings with borate groups
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
3 : Six-Membered Rings with borate groups
17.5.9
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
Physical Properties of Liddicoatite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
on fractures
Colour:
Light-brown, pink to red, green, blue, rarely white.
Streak:
Light brown, white
Hardness:
7½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Poor on {0001}
Poor on {0001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.02 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.05 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Liddicoatite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
Comments:
Probably similar to data for fluor-liddicoatite.
Chemistry of Liddicoatite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Common Impurities:
Mn,Fe,Ti,Mg,Na,H2O
Crystallography of Liddicoatite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.880(1) Å, c = 7.115(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.448
Unit Cell V:
1,553.84 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Stout prismatic
Comment:
Ran*e: 15.880(1)-15.882(1), 7.115(1)-7.118(1) A.
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Pegmatites
Other Language Names for Liddicoatite
German:Liddicoatit
Japanese:リッディコート電気石
Russian:Лиддикоатит
Simplified Chinese:钙锂电气石
Spanish:Liddicoatita
Traditional Chinese:鈣鋰電氣石
Relationship of Liddicoatite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Adachiite | CaFe3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Alumino-oxy-rossmanite | ◻Al3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Bosiite | NaFe3+3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Celleriite | ◻(Mn2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Chromium-dravite | NaMg3Cr3+6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Chromo-alumino-povondraite | NaCr3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Darrellhenryite | Na(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Dravite | NaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Dutrowite | Na(Fe2+2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Ferro-bosiite | NaFe3+3(Al4Fe2+2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Feruvite | CaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Fluor-buergerite | NaFe3+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3F | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Fluor-dravite | NaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Fluor-elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Fluor-liddicoatite | Ca(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Fluor-rossmanite | ◻(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Fluor-schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Fluor-tsilaisite | NaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Fluor-uvite | CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Foitite | ◻(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Lucchesiite | CaFe2+3 Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Magnesio-dutrowite | Na(Mg2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Magnesio-foitite | ◻(Mg2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Magnesio-lucchesiite | CaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Maruyamaite | K(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Olenite | NaAl3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Oxy-chromium-dravite | NaCr3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Oxy-dravite | Na(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Oxy-foitite | ◻(Fe2+Al2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Oxy-rossmanite | ◻(Li0.5Al2.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | |
Oxy-schorl | Na(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Oxy-uvite | CaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | |
Oxy-vanadium-dravite | NaV3(V4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Povondraite | NaFe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Princivalleite | Na(Mn2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Rossmanite | ◻(LiAl2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Tsilaisite | NaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
UM2000-64-SiO:BFeHKMg | (K,Na)Fe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3O | |
UM2008-52-SiO:AlBCaFFeHLiMgNa | (Ca,Na,◻)(Al,Li,Fe,Mg)3Al6[Si6O18](BO3)3(OH,O)3(F,O) | |
Unnamed (F analogue of feruvite) | CaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | |
Unnamed (Pb-analogue of Fluor-liddicoatite) | Pb(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F | |
Uvite | CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite | NaV3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Vanadio-oxy-dravite | NaV3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.CK. | Fluor-schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK. | Darrellhenryite | Na(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK. | Adachiite | CaFe3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK. | Bosiite | NaFe3+3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK. | Dutrowite | Na(Fe2+2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK. | Celleriite | ◻(Mn2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK. | Princivalleite | Na(Mn2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK. | Alumino-oxy-rossmanite | ◻Al3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK. | Ferro-bosiite | NaFe3+3(Al4Fe2+2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK. | Magnesio-dutrowite | Na(Mg2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Fluor-buergerite | NaFe3+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3F |
9.CK.05 | Chromium-dravite | NaMg3Cr3+6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Dravite | NaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Feruvite | CaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Foitite | ◻(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Olenite | NaAl3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Povondraite | NaFe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Magnesio-foitite | ◻(Mg2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Rossmanite | ◻(LiAl2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Tsilaisite | NaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Oxy-vanadium-dravite | NaV3(V4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Oxy-dravite | Na(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Oxy-rossmanite | ◻(Li0.5Al2.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Luinaite-(OH) | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Fluor-elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK.05 | Chromo-alumino-povondraite | NaCr3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Fluor-dravite | NaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK.05 | Oxy-schorl | Na(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Fluor-liddicoatite | Ca(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK.05 | Unnamed (F analogue of feruvite) | CaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK.05 | UM2000-64-SiO:BFeHKMg | (K,Na)Fe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Oxy-chromium-dravite | NaCr3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Fluor-tsilaisite | NaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK.05 | Vanadio-oxy-chromium-dravite | NaV3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Fluor-uvite | CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK.05 | Vanadio-oxy-dravite | NaV3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Maruyamaite | K(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Lucchesiite | CaFe2+3 Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Oxy-foitite | ◻(Fe2+Al2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Oxy-uvite | CaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Magnesio-lucchesiite | CaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O |
9.CK.05 | Uvite | CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
9.CK.05 | Fluor-rossmanite | ◻(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
9.CK.10 | Abenakiite-(Ce) | Na26Ce6(Si6O18)(PO4)6(CO3)6(SO2)O |
9.CK.15 | Scawtite | Ca7(Si3O9)2CO3 · 2H2O |
9.CK.20 | Steenstrupine-(Ce) | Na14Mn2+2Fe3+2Ce6Zr(Si6O18)2(PO4)6(PO3OH)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
9.CK.20 | Thorosteenstrupine | (Ca,Th,Mn)3Si4O11F · 6H2O |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Liddicoatite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2395.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Liddicoatite
Reference List:
Dunn, Pete J., Appleman, Daniel E., Nelen, Joseph E. (1977) Liddicoatite, a new calcium end-member of the tourmaline group. American Mineralogist, 62 (11-12) 1121-1124 F-dominant on W site, therefore fluor-liddicoatite
Henry, D. J., Novak, M., Hawthorne, F. C., Ertl, A., Dutrow, B. L., Uher, P., Pezzotta, F. (2011) Nomenclature of the tourmaline-supergroup minerals. American Mineralogist, 96 (5) 895-913 doi:10.2138/am.2011.3636 redefinition of type "liddicoatite" = fluor-liddicoatite
Ertl, A., Pezzotta, F., Giester, G. (2020) Structural investigation of a possible new OH-dominant liddicoatite. Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Mineralogischen Gesellschaft, 166.
Localities for Liddicoatite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Brazil | |
Queiroz (2016) | |
| erroneously reported [MinRec 33:209] |
| Hudson et al. (n.d.) |
Canada | |
| Teertstra +1 other reference |
| Breaks et al. (2008) |
| Tindle et al. (2005) |
Tindle et al. (2005) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Novák et al. (1999) |
| Novák +3 other references |
Flégr et al. (2017) | |
Italy | |
| Pezzotta +1 other reference |
Madagascar | |
| Moore (2008) |
| Rocks & Minerals 82:146 +1 other reference |
| Pezzotta et al. (1997) |
| - (2004) |
| Pezzotta (2011) |
| Aurisicchio et al. (1999) |
| Pezzotta (2011) |
| Ranorosoa (1986) |
Ranorosoa (1986) | |
| Ranorosoa (1986) |
| Wilson (1989) +2 other references |
| RRUFF ID: R080064- Not confirmed |
Dirlam et al. (2002) | |
Dunn et al. (1977) | |
Mozambique | |
| Wang +5 other references |
Nigeria | |
| Dirlam et al. (2002) |
| Giller BS (2003) |
Dirlam et al. (2002) | |
Norway | |
| Larsen et al. (1999) |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
Pieczka et al. (2012) | |
Rubio-Ordóñez et al. (2019) | |
Portugal | |
| www.mindat.org (n.d.) |
Republic of the Congo | |
Russia | |
| Fialova et al. (2013) |
Sri Lanka | |
| Ceylon Aluvial Mine (Book, Co. 2002) |
Sweden | |
| Selway et al. (2002) |
Tanzania | |
| Giller BS (2003) |
USA | |
| Periodico di Mineralogi (2011) |
Vietnam | |
| Mineralogical Record: 36 (3) +1 other reference |
Tsitondroina, Ikalamavony District, Haute Matsiatra, Madagascar