Gems Legend 9
Richard T. Liddicoat – Master of the 4Cs
If you own a diamond and paid for it based on its grading report, you should know the man behind the plan. This is the story of mastermind with a master plan that changed the diamond industry forever. A famed analyst, author, former leader of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and a gemology visionary, the late Richard Liddicoat will forever receive worldwide accolades. And he did it by giving back the entire time.
By Dan Scott
Hailed as the Father of Modern Gemology and recognized for his years of dedication and leadership at GIA, Richard T. Liddicoat, Jr played a crucial and historic role in revolutionizing the jewelry industry. Decades of dynamic development, fellowship, writing and redefining diamond reporting structure and analysis have placed his name in the category of gem leadership. His work is highly revered, and he is branded as an architect of GIA’s international diamond grading system as we now know it.
Decades of dynamic development, fellowship, writing and redefining diamond reporting structure and analysis have placed his name in the category of gem leadership. His work is highly revered and he is branded as an architect of GIA’s international diamond grading system as we now know it. He commanded the position of CEO at GIA for 31 years from 1952 to 1983, and his gifts to the gem industry are as acclaimed today as they were when he reclassified how industry grades and reports are made.
Both of Liddicoat’s grandparents were miners from England who came to America (Michigan) in the 1800s. He grew up there and learned to explore the earth, guided by his elders as he focused his geological interests.His determined mind moved him to earn a Bachelor’s degree in geology and a Master’s degree in mineralogy while in Michigan. Liddicoat adored education and became one with his studies. A student who never missed a class, he was often the first one in and the last one out, always asking questions. His classroom curiosity often stirred up insightful and lively debates with his classmates and professors.
It was one of these gem-focused debates with Professor Slawson, a high-ranking mineralogy Michigan University educator and noted advisor to GIA, that changed Liddicoat's world and soon the jewelry industry at large. Based on Slawson’s strong recommendation, Liddicoat was interviewed by Robert M. Shipley, the founder of the GIA. Little did they know at the time, but Liddcoat would end up running the GIA for 31 years, defining a diamond by its cut, clarity, color and carat weight while refining diamond reports. These reports continue to give designers, retailers and consumers a means to gauge a stone's fair market value based on detailed specifications previously not available. One of the most unique features of this revised grading system was its D-to-Z categories instead of an A-to-Z system, thus making it easier and more readily accepted by the industry.
In 1942, Liddicoat joined GIA as an assistant Director of Education, focusing on helping jewelers successfully complete the courses offered by GIA. Under his tutelage, GIA enjoyed enhanced student enrollment and elevated forms of study ensued. As Director of Education, Liddicoat developed a detailed week-long class launched at the American Gem Society (AGS) conclaves in Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL. The classes offered jewelers the opportunity to work in a classroom setting with direct GIA guidance. This period would be the start of several publications providing much needed materials to jewelers. For one of Liddicoat's first publications, he worked closely with Shipley to create the “Handbook of Gem Identification.” The book was launched in 1947 and was well received by jewelers across the globe. With the help of this resource material, it became possible for many jewelry houses and individuals to improve their knowledge with newfound clarity.
Liddicoat was a polished, clear communicating author who went on to publish many other technical documents and books on gemstones and diamonds. He also launched GIA's Gems & Gemology magazine, where he served as Executive Editor for decades. Liddicoat's scientific approach and clear gemology-speak allowed him to focus and educate on the identification of different types of gemstones beyond diamonds.
In 1977, he discovered a form of tourmaline that was so highly praised that it was named in his honor. In 1989 and as testimony to Liddicoat's intense career, GIA collected over 150,000 photographs, 57,000 books, 1,800 videos, 700 periodicals, and the renowned Cartier Rare Book Repository and Archive, which are all now part of The Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and offered in his honor. It is the largest, most complete library of its kind.
Liddicoat received Modern Jeweler Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Morris B. Zale Lifetime Achievement Award, and became the first Honorary Lifetime Member of the Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain. He was also inducted to the National Home Study Council's Hall of Fame in 1991. A year later, he was named GIA's Chairman of the Board for Life and received GIA's League of Honor Lifetime Achievement Award. Liddicoat received Modern Jeweler Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Morris B. Zale Lifetime Achievement Award, and became the first Honorary Lifetime Member of the Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain. He was also inducted to the National Home Study Council's Hall of Fame in 1991. A year later, he was named GIA's Chairman of the Board for Life and received GIA's League of Honor Lifetime Achievement Award.
A bronze statue stands proudly in his honor. It holds one of his publications while he gestures to the world about decoding diamonds, offering everlasting education to anyone with an interest in the wide world of gemology.
In 2004, the American Gem Society (AGS) created the Richard T. Liddicoat Journalism Award in Liddicoat’s remembrance to honor journalists who have made exceptional contributions to the understanding of gemology, while supporting AGS' ethics, education and consumer protection.
In January 2019, the GIA bestowed its highest honor, the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement, to Dr. James E. Shigley, GIA's distinguished research fellow, for his contributions to continued gem research. Another testimony to Liddicoat demonstrating extraordinary commitment to furthering the GIA's mission.
“Richard Liddicoat believed deeply that GIA should have a strong research department,” said Tom Moses, GIA Executive Vice President of laboratory and research. The industry continues to celebrate him with this award and with the most extensive gem-based knowledge library in the world.
All photos are courtesy of GIA unless otherwise specified.
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