Richard T. Liddicoat, known around the world as the Father of Modern Gemology – and affectionately as “RTL” – created the GIA International Diamond Grading System, expanded GIA’s education programs, elevated its laboratory and research functions, developed gem identification instruments, and wrote gound-breaking articles and books on gems. But common to all his accomplishments was his eagerness to share knowledge with others. He was warm, caring, and concerned. He loved new ideas and innovation and encouraged these with everyone he met.
RTL would have celebrated his 92nd birthday on March 2. This blog was created for all of us who knew him and learned from him. Let’s share our fond memories of this most unforgettable man.
liddicoat.wordpress.com 
March 1, 2010 at 5:52 pm |
I was blessed to have met Mr. Liddicoat. My favorite memory: My desk was situated on the second floor (on the way to the Executive Offices.) RTL would always stop and share with me his most recent story about golf or lunch with a friend of his who has the same last name as me! I smile to this day remembering this.
March 2, 2010 at 2:29 pm |
Absolutely Rose I have fond memories of those visits!
March 2, 2010 at 2:27 am |
I had just graduated from the GG program and as a young over zealous gemologist, I ran into Mr. Liddicoat on a street corner in Tuscon. I had never met him before, but I struck up a conversation about a great gem stone I had just purchased he was so engaging, he talked to me (a nobody in the business) for over an hour. That was the only time I ever had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Liddicoat, but I really felt that he was a great guy.
March 2, 2010 at 2:47 am |
So many fond memories…. My very first was this:
I was a rookie in the Santa Monica Gem Trade Lab grading quarter carat diamonds with classmate Vicki Payne (late 1977)… RTL would come into the lab on his “coffee” break and just check out what was going on – see if there was anything fun to look at. Chuck Fryer, lab director, was identifying an opal, and it was giving him a tough time. He mentioned it to RTL, who looked at it in the scope. RTL raised his head, said, “this reminds me of that oolitic opal we wrote about in Gems & Gemology in the Spring of ’67,” and he proceeds to go over to the bookcase, pull out the 1967 Spring G&G, turn to page 149, and says, “Yes, here it is.” …. and THAT was Mr. Liddicoat.
GR
March 2, 2010 at 5:10 am |
When I graduated from GIA with a diploma in diamond grading and appraising
Richard Liddicoat had signed my “paper”. He and Bill Richardson my manager
at BB&B in Atlanta were the two most influential people in my 40 year old
career as a fine jewelry and diamond salesman and later as a multi store business owner, now that I am semi-retired in Florida, I remember both these two guys with great fondness, may the good earth that is covering them, be always light.
March 2, 2010 at 7:58 am |
Respected Mr.Liddicoat was the president and father of GIA when I did my G.G in 1981-82 he knew all the students personally and tracked them regularly.
He wrote a beautiful letter to my Dad after his visit to GIA about me which I still posses it symolizes how he knew student personally.
Truly a great man and a living legend.
March 2, 2010 at 8:07 am |
I will never forget how he always saved me a dance at the Tucson galas.
When I was a student in Santa Monica, someone had a tap dancer come to dance and sing him “Happy Birthday” in the foyer. He got quite a chuckle out of that one.
March 2, 2010 at 11:02 am |
I read about Mr. Liddicoat and saw the video. Thank you very much for inspiring us through an insight in his life.
His values and the contribution made to the society will help us earn our bread and butter.
March 2, 2010 at 1:21 pm |
During the haydays of GIA moving to The new facilty in Santa Monica from the San Vincente school I was called into the office of the man by Bob Ernest and was told we have a problem.” You Passed” and they did not want to use my nick name then Known as Jack Alphabet and will make sure my surname was correctly spelled and there will be a Diploma for me.
This joke of scaring me also brings me a smile since i finished appraising the coloured stone so quick and might haved made mistakes and have to redo it again But only to be welcomed into this GIA family. Welcome it was and i will always remember the both of them as an educator and a friend who supported my growth in this industry with high standards
Thank You Mr LIddicoat & MR ERNEST we will meet again
J.H.A.G.G. is this short enough
March 2, 2010 at 1:49 pm |
Among the many memories my favorite memory was my first life changing encounter in 1985 as a G.G. student with Mr. Liddicoat.
At that time he visited all G.G. classes to speak to the students about the industry or something exciting that had come through the lab. When he finished his presentation he asked for questions, it was a melancholy group with no questions however my hand shot up immediately! Would you sign your book for me? “Absolutely you come by my office after class and lets talk.”
That day began a lasting friendship that would continue to grow throughout my career at GIA. Mr. Liddicoat had the uncanny ability to uncover an individuals strengths and help them develop those strengths. He was my first true mentor, he demonstrated an enduring commitment to lifelong education and dedicated his career to helping others discover their potential!
March 2, 2010 at 2:36 pm |
Mr. Liddicoat was one of the kindest gentlemen I have had the pleasure to meet. I was a young GG student back in 1982 and there was a reception of some sort up stairs in the old Santa Monica location. RTL was working the room and spoke to me and then asked me to dance. He was an expert at that too! It is a memory that I treasure.
March 2, 2010 at 11:38 am |
I have many stories and things to tell about Mr. L and what he was like. He hired me back in ’78 and I knew him for 24 years.
Did he have a sense of humor; most definately. He never complained about the time a couple of us gift wrapped his chair. Another time, he acted as a human shield when his assistant wanted to throw a water balloon at me. There are other stories like this that will never make it into the GIA history book.
But I think one aspect about him that few people have talked about was his love of the students and their education. I remember when he walked, unannounced, into my classroom and wanted to share something with the class. Everyone crowded around to see a trio of fancy red diamonds that he held in his hand. He also loved to come in and talk to my classes so I always made an appointment for him to come by. He never missed an appointment. Eventually, he couldn’t make it to the classroom any more so I took my classes on a field trip to his office. We would all crowd in and he would talk to them about the trade and his views of what was happening in our industry. His office was filled with memorabilia and he was graciuos enough to talk to the students about these things; where they were from and who gave them to him. Then there was the Kodak moment. He loved having his picture taken with the students; either in a group shot or individually.
One last thing I’d like to mention. He had enormous respect from the entire GIA staff. Everyone at GIA works on a first name basis…..except for one. He was always called Mr. Liddicoat by everyone. He will always be number one.
March 2, 2010 at 2:09 pm |
I had the pleasure meeting Mr.Liddicoat while visiting GIA prior to enrolling. He first gave me a brief history of GIA ask a few questions, then introduced himself. It made quite a impression but not as much as when as a student six months later he approached me by nameand inquired how I was enjoying GIA. Mr. Liddicoat dedication to the trade and GIA has created a wonderful legacy that will be carried on thru all who had met him.
March 4, 2010 at 11:33 am |
Back in the day when I was a student at the Santa Monica location, I remember running into RTL and having some wonderful interactions with him. He was always interested in the student’s take on what we were all learning. No question was to trivial, no labwork too hard.
The day I graduated from the GG program, I asked him to sign my copy of the “Handbook of Gem Identification” He was so gracious and humble – and just as excited for me as I was that I passed the 20 stone test! RTL is truly a hero for Gemologists the world over!
March 4, 2010 at 7:12 pm |
Hello,All friends and gem lover ,
I have been in gem world about 20 years ,as a specialist in gem cutting
designer of accurate machines in gem cutting and gemologist in europe
method and USA method .
I am wondering in Mr,Liddicoat live story as I read and saw the pictures
and his book (The hand book of gem identification) I can say this man
loved the gemology from inside of his heart and God made him success
for jumping in the highest degree of gemology .
I appreciate him and his family deeply from inside of my heart.
Hamed Ettehadi
March 5, 2010 at 6:39 am |
I have so many great memories of Mr.. Liddicoat and what he shared with us not only in gemology but our personal lives as well. One of my favorites was when we unvailed the statue of him in front of GIA Carlsbad and he looked up at it and said “Looks like I will have to rent a lot of pigeons for this thing”.
January 23, 2011 at 4:42 pm |
the story of gemology is the story of love ! Who love will capture !!! Richard liddicoat has loved gem and gemology so he captured a lot of new things in this way and help the human for opening a new window to gem world.i love you mr liddicoat .god make you haqy in paradaise.
March 7, 2011 at 10:00 pm |
True Carl,
I remember that you had once invited Mr. Liddicoat to my GG class in the year 2000 for a talk. It was such and honor to meet and talk to him.
Mr. Liddicoat – A visionary and truly a leader!