A newly discovered mineral species of the tourmaline group has been named after GIA Governor Barbara L. Dutrow, Ph.D.

“The researchers from Austria, Italy and Sweden who discovered dutrowite named the mineral after Dutrow in recognition of her many contributions to mineral sciences and crystal chemistry, and particularly for her well-known and comprehensive research into tourmaline and its embedded geologic information,” GIA said. “Of the 34 tourmaline species, dutrowite is the first species named after a woman.”

Dutrowite, discovered in the Apuan Alps of Tuscany, Italy, is said to be formed from the compression and heating of a volcanic rock called rhyolite. The newly discovered mineral has now been given recognition by the International Mineralogical Association.

“Gems, and especially minerals, have been my life’s passion,” said Dutrow. “It is tremendously gratifying to receive this honour. Discoveries such as this show us that there is still much to learn about our earth and its many minerals and the geologic information they contain.”

Dutrow is the Gerald Cire and Lena Grand Williams Alumni Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University (LSU). For more than 25 years, her teaching and research have focused on mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and computational modelling and visualisation.

She has authored and co-authored many publications, including her textbook "Manual of Mineral Science," a worldwide reference for the study of minerals, now in its 23rd edition. Dutrow earned her Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in geological sciences from Southern Methodist University, TX. She joined the GIA Board of Governors in November 2016.

“On behalf of the Institute, we congratulate Barbara on this exceptional honour and recognition of her many contributions and achievements,” said Susan Jacques, GIA President and CEO. “Barbara is a significant contributor to our Board given her research and scientific expertise, as well as her focus on the student experience from her higher education background.”

GIA also noted that six of the institute’s contributors have been honoured through the years with minerals named after them for their outstanding work, starting more than four decades ago. Then, former GIA President Richard T. Liddicoat was honoured with liddicoatite, a species of tourmaline; rossmanite, another tourmaline species, was named after former GIA Governor Dr. George R. Rossman; the magnetic mineral known as valleyite was named after GIA Governor Dr. John Valley; G. Robert Crowningshield, a pioneering researcher at GIA, was honoured with crowningshieldite; and in 2019, johnkoivulaite was named after GIA researcher John Koivula.

“The members of the GIA Board of Governors are innovators and leaders in their fields,” GIA stated. “They have high-level experience in diverse professions, industries and academic disciplines. Their role is to direct the strategy of the Institute to ensure that the consumer protection mission and vision of GIA are reflected in all decisions; that the reputation of GIA is preserved and continues to grow globally; and that the financial goals of the Institute are met.”

Pic Cap:  Barbara L. Dutrow, Ph.D., Williams Alumni Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at LSU and Board of Governor for GIA. © GIA/Kevin Schumacher.

Pic Courtesy: GIA