Mineral chemistry and thermobarometry of inclusions from De Beers Pool diamonds, Kimberley, South Africa

Silicate and oxide mineral inclusions in diamonds from the geologically and historically important De Beers Pool kimberlites in Kimberley, South Africa, are characterised by harzburgitic compositions (>90%), with lesser abundances from eclogitic and websteritic parageneses. The De Beers Pool diamonds contain unusually high numbers of inclusion intergrowths, with garnet+orthopyroxene±chromite±olivine and chromite+olivine assemblages dominant. More unusual intergrowths include garnet+olivine+magnesite and an eclogitic assemblage comprising garnet+clinopyroxene+rutile. The mineral chemistry of the De Beers Pool inclusions overlaps that of most worldwide localities. Peridotitic garnet inclusions exhibit variable CaO (<5.8 wt.%) and Cr₂O₃ contents (3.0–15.0 wt.%), although the majority are harzburgitic with very low calcium concentrations (<2 wt.% CaO). Eclogitic garnet inclusions are characterised by a wide range in CaO (3.3–21.1 wt.%) with low Cr₂O₃ (<1 wt.%). Websteritic garnets exhibit intermediate compositions. Most chromite inclusions contain 63–67 wt.% Cr₂O₃ and <0.5 wt.% TiO₂. Olivine and orthopyroxene inclusions are magnesium-rich with Mg-numbers of 93–97. Olivine inclusions in chromite exhibit the highest Mg-numbers and also contain elevated Cr₂O₃ contents up to 1.0 wt.%. Peridotitic clinopyroxene inclusions are Cr-diopsides with up to 0.8 wt.% K₂O. Eclogitic and websteritic clinopyroxene inclusions exhibit overlapping compositions with a wide range in Mg-numbers (66–86).

Calculated temperatures for non-touching inclusion pairs from individual diamonds range from 1082 to 1320 °C (average=1197 °C), whereas pressures vary from 4.6 to 7.7 GPa (average=6.3 GPa). Touching inclusion assemblages are characterised by equilibration temperatures of 995 to 1182 °C (average=1079 °C) and pressures of 4.2–6.8 GPa (average=5.4 GPa). Provided that the non-touching inclusions represent equilibrium assemblages, it is suggested that these inclusions record the conditions at the time of diamond crystallisation (1200 °C; 3.0 Ga). The lower average temperatures for touching inclusions are attributed to re-equilibration in a cooling mantle (1050 °C) prior to kimberlite eruption at 85 Ma. Pressure estimates for touching garnet–orthopyroxene inclusions are also skewed towards lower values than most non-touching inclusions. This apparent difference may be an artefact of the Al-exchange geobarometer and/or the result of sampling bias, due to limited numbers of non-touching garnet–orthopyroxene inclusions. Alternatively pressure differences could be caused by differential uplift in the mantle or possibly variations in thermal compressibility between diamond and silicate inclusions. However, thermodynamic modelling suggests that thermal compressibility differences would cause only minor changes in internal inclusion pressures (<0.2 GPa/100 °C).     

New insights into the occurrence of C-depleted carbon in the mantle from two closely associated kimberlites: Letlhakane and Orapa, Botswana

Carbon isotope measurements on diamonds from the Letlhakane kimberlite, and the analyses of their inclusions, permit the examination of km-scale mantle-composition variations by comparing the results with those for the nearby Orapa kimberlite. Diamonds from Letlhakane have a wide range in carbon isotopic composition (−3‰ to −21‰); however, the relative abundance of diamonds depleted in ¹³C is significantly lower than in the Orapa kimberlite. Most of the ¹³C-depleted diamonds belong to the eclogictic or websteritic paragenesis. The relative abundance of inclusions in diamonds and their composition indicate that there are significant differences in petrology in the mantle below the two locations. At Letlhakane, peridotitic compositions are more prevalent than at Orapa and the protolith of P-Type inclusions in diamonds may have experienced a higher degree of partial melting at Letlhakane compared to Orapa. P/T estimates for both W- and E-Type diamonds indicate that a region of ¹³C-depletion may exist beneath the two kimberlites. The relationships between carbon isotopic composition of the host diamond and the Al₂O₃/Cr₂O₃ ratios of their websteritic and eclogitic garnet inclusions indicate that the low δ¹³C regions may represent a primary mantle feature, unrelated to a crustal component.     

Megacrysts from the Grib kimberlite pipe (Arkhangelsk Province, Russia)

The megacryst suite of the Grib kimberlite pipe (Arkhangelsk province, Russia) comprises garnet, clinopyroxene, magnesian ilmenite, phlogopite and garnet-clinopyroxene intergrowths. Crystalline inclusions, mainly of clinopyroxene and picroilmenite, occur in garnet megacrysts. Ilmenite is characterized by a wide range in the contents of MgO (10.6–15.5 wt.%) and Cr₂O₃ (0.7–8.3 wt.%). Megacryst garnets show wide variations in Cr₂O₃ (1.3–9.6 wt.%) and CaO (3.6–11.0 wt.%) but relatively constant MgO (15.4–22.3 wt.%) and FeO (5.2–9.9 wt.%). The pyroxenes also show wide variations in such oxides as Cr₂O₃, Al₂O₃ and Na₂O (0.56–2.95; 0.86–3.25; 1.3–3.0 wt.%, respectively). The high magnesium and chromium content of all these minerals puts them together in one paragenetic group. This conclusion was confirmed by studies of the crystalline inclusions in megacrysts, which demonstrate similar variations in composition. Low concentration of hematite in ilmenite suggests reducing conditions during crystallization. P–T estimates based on the clinopyroxene geothermobarometer (Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 139 (2000) 541) show wide variations (624–1208 °C and 28.8–68.0 kbars), corresponding to a 40–45 mW/m² conductive geotherm. The majority of Gar-Cpx intergrowths differ from the corresponding monomineralic megacrysts in having higher Mg contents and relatively low TiO₂. The minerals from the megacryst association, as a rule, differ from the minerals of mantle xenoliths, but garnets in ilmenite-bearing peridotite xenoliths are compositionally similar to garnet megacrysts. The common features of trace element composition of megacryst minerals and kimberlite (they are poor in Zr group elements) suggest a genetic relationship. The origin of the megacrysts is proposed to be genetically connected with kimberlite magma-chamber evolution on the one hand and with associated mantle metasomatism on the other. We suggest that, depending on the primary melt composition, different paragenetic associations of macro/megacrysts can be crystallized in kimberlites. They include: (1) Fe–Ti (Mir, Udachnaya pipes); (2) high-Mg, Cr (Zagadochna, Kusova pipes); (3) high-Mg, Cr, Ti (Grib pipe).     

The Homestead kimberlite, central Montana, USA: mineralogy, xenocrysts, and upper-mantle xenoliths

The Homestead kimberlite was emplaced in lower Cretaceous marine shale and siltstone in the Grassrange area of central Montana. The Grassrange area includes aillikite, alnoite, carbonatite, kimberlite, and monchiquite and is situated within the Archean Wyoming craton. The kimberlite contains 25–30 modal% olivine as xenocrysts and phenocrysts in a matrix of phlogopite, monticellite, diopside, serpentine, chlorite, hydrous Ca–Al–Na silicates, perovskite, and spinel. The rock is kimberlite based on mineralogy, the presence of atoll-textured groundmass spinels, and kimberlitic core-rim zoning of groundmass spinels and groundmass phlogopites.

Garnet xenocrysts are mainly Cr-pyropes, of which 2–12% are G10 compositions, crustal almandines are rare and eclogitic garnets are absent. Spinel xenocrysts have MgO and Cr₂O₃ contents ranging into the diamond inclusion field. Mg-ilmenite xenocrysts contain 7–11 wt.% MgO and 0.8–1.9 wt.% Cr₂O₃, with (Fe⁺³/Fe^tot) from 0.17–0.31. Olivine is the only obvious megacryst mineral present. One microdiamond was recovered from caustic fusion of a 45-kg sample.

Upper-mantle xenoliths up to 70 cm size are abundant and are some of the largest known garnet peridotite xenoliths in North America. The xenolith suite is dominated by dunites, and harzburgites containing garnet and/or spinel. Granulites are rare and eclogites are absent. Among 153 xenoliths, 7% are lherzolites, 61% are harzburgites, 31% are dunites, and 1% are orthopyroxenites. Three of 30 peridotite xenoliths that were analysed are low-Ca garnet–spinel harzburgites containing G10 garnets. Xenolith textures are mainly coarse granular, and only 5% are porphyroclastic.

Xenolith modal mineralogy and mineral compositions indicate ancient major-element depletion as observed in other Wyoming craton xenolith assemblages, followed by younger enrichment events evidenced by tectonized or undeformed veins of orthopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, websterite, and the presence of phlogopite-bearing veins and disseminated phlogopite. Phlogopite-bearing veins may represent kimberlite-related addition and/or earlier K-metasomatism.

Xenolith thermobarometry using published two-pyroxene and Al-in-opx methods suggest that garnet–spinel peridotites are derived from 1180 to 1390 °C and 3.6 to 4.7 GPa, close to the diamond–graphite boundary and above a 38 mW/m² shield geotherm. Low-Ca garnet–spinel harzburgites with G10 garnets fall in about the same T and P range. Most spinel peridotites with assumed 2.0 GPa pressure are in the same T range, possibly indicating heating of the shallow mantle. Four of 79 Cr diopside xenocrysts have P–T estimates in the diamond stability field using published single-pyroxene P–T calculation methods.     

Statistical approaches to the discrimination of mantle- and crust-derived low-Cr garnets using major and trace element data

Diamond exploration focuses on geochemical analysis of indicator minerals that are more abundant than diamond itself. Among such indicators, low-Cr (Cr₂O₃ < 1 wt%) garnets from mantle eclogites are problematic since they overlap compositionally with many lower-crust-derived garnets also transported by kimberlite. Misclassification of these garnets may create “false positive” mantle signatures and possible misdirection of exploration efforts. Statistical solutions using major elements in low-Cr garnet (Hardman et al. in J Geochem Explor 186:24–35, 2018) provide improved error rates for the discrimination of low-Cr crustal and mantle garnets recovered from kimberlite. In this study we analysed a large suite of garnets (n = 571) from both crustal and mantle settings, already characterised for major elements, for a wide range of trace elements by laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry and use these new data along with literature data (n = 169) to evaluate the effectiveness of adding trace elements to garnet-based diamond exploration programs. A new garnet classification scheme, initially using a major-element based filter, uses garnet Sr contents and Eu anomalies to help identify low-Cr garnets that are misclassified using major element methods. Combined with existing methods, our new trace element classifiers offer improvement in classification error rates for low-Cr, crustal and mantle garnets to as low as 4.7% for calibration data.

     

Peridotitic diamonds from Namibia: constraints on the composition and evolution of their mantle source

About half the diamonds studied from the Cenozoic placer deposits along the Namibian coast belong to the peridotitic suite. The peridotitic mantle source is heterogeneous ranging from lherzolitic to strongly Ca depleted (down to 0.24 wt.% CaO in garnet) and shows large variations in Cr/Al ratio, illustrated by very low to very high Cr₂O₃ contents in garnet (2.6–17.3 wt.%). The Cr-rich end of this range includes exceptionally high Cr₂O₃ contents in Mg-chromite (70.7 wt.%) and clinopyroxene (3.6 wt.%). Garnet-olivine thermometry appears to indicate two groups, one that equilibrated at temperatures between 1200 and 1220°C and a second between 960 and 1100°C. Combined estimates of pressure and temperature based on garnet-orthopyroxene pairs indicate a large variance in geothermal gradients, corresponding to 38–42 mW/m² surface heat flow.

The trace-element composition of peridotitic garnet inclusions (determined by SIMS) also indicates large diversity. Two principal groups, corresponding to different styles of metasomatic source enrichment, are recognized. The first group ranges from extremely LREE_N-depleted patterns, through trough-shaped REE_N to sinusoidal patterns with the position of the first peak gradually moving from the LREE_N to the MREE_N. This series of REE patterns is interpreted to reflect a range of metasomatic agents with decreasing LREE/HREE. Only in the case of the two garnets with REE_N peaking at Sm–Eu is this process connected with enrichment in Zr, without significant introduction of Y and Ti. The metasomatism responsible is interpreted as reflecting percolation of CHO-fluids through harzburgite under sub-solidus conditions. A second group of garnets shows an increase from LREE_N–MREE_N and almost flat (lherzolitic garnet) to moderately declining MREE_N–HREE_N at super-chondritic levels. This second style of metasomatism is caused by an agent carrying HFSE and showing only moderate enrichment in LREE over HREE, which points towards silicate melts.     

山东蒙阴金伯利岩中铬铁矿电子探针波谱分析

铬铁矿是金伯利岩型金刚石矿床中主要的指示性矿物之一.准确分析出铬铁矿化学组分中FeO、MgO、Cr₂O₃、Al₂O₃、TiO₂含量,不但对铬铁矿定名起决定性作用,对金伯利岩型金刚石矿床找矿也具有重要的指示意义.利用电子探针波谱技术对铬铁矿主量化学元素分析,通过所测样品微区化学成分含量推测矿物名称.25件单矿物样品微区化学成分分析结果统计显示：单矿物中主要化学成分FeO为15.666%~29.971%,MgO为7.286%~11.477%,Cr₂O₃为56.421%~71.111%;次要化学成分MnO为0.012%~0.382%,Al₂O₃为0.871%~8.993%,TiO₂为0.074%~3.375%.矿物化学成分总量为99.117%~100.877%,单矿物化学成分与铬铁矿化学组分相当.根据矿物人工重砂鉴定特征及A、B离子占位情况,可以确定所测样品为镁铬铁矿.     

Neoproterozoic ‘anomalous’ kimberlites of Guaniamo, Venezuela: Mica kimberlites of ‘isotopic transitional’ type

In Venezuela, kimberlites have so far only been found in the Guaniamo region, where they occur as high diamond grade sheets in massive to steeply foliated Paleoproterozoic granitoid rocks. The emplacement age of the Guaniamo kimberlites is 712±6 Ma, i.e., Neoproterozoic. The Guaniamo kimberlites contain a high abundance of mantle minerals, with greater than 30% olivine macrocrysts. The principal kimberlite indicator minerals found are pyrope garnet and chromian spinel, with the overwhelming majority of the garnets being of the peridotite association. Chrome-diopside is rare, and picroilmenite is uncommon. Chemically, the Guaniamo kimberlites are characterized by high MgO contents, with low Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ contents and higher than average FeO and K₂O contents. These rocks have above average Ni, Cr, Co, Th, Nb, Ta, Sr and LREE concentrations and very low P, Y and, particularly, Zr and Hf contents. The Nb/Zr ratio is very distinctive and is similar to that of the Aries, Australia kimberlite. The Guaniamo kimberlites are similar in petrography, mineralogy and mantle mineral content to ilmenite-free Group 2 mica kimberlites of South Africa. The Nd-Sr isotopic characteristics of Guaniamo kimberlites are distinct from both kimberlite Group 1 and Group 2, being more similar to transitional type kimberlites, and in particular to diamondiferous kimberlites of the Arkhangelsk Diamond Province, Russia. The Guaniamo kimberlites form part of a compositional spectrum between other standard kimberlite reference groups. They formed from metasomatised subcontinental lithospheric mantle and it is likely that subduction of oceanic crust was the source of this metasomatised material, and also of the eclogitic component, which is dominant in Guaniamo diamonds.     

Diamonds from Jagersfontein (South Africa): messengers from the sublithospheric mantle

The diamond population from the Jagersfontein kimberlite is characterized by a high abundance of eclogitic, besides peridotitic and a small group of websteritic diamonds. The majority of inclusions indicate that the diamonds are formed in the subcratonic lithospheric mantle. Inclusions of the eclogitic paragenesis, which generally have a wide compositional range, include two groups of eclogitic garnets (high and low Ca) which are also distinct in their rare earth element composition. Within the eclogitic and websteritic suite, diamonds with inclusions of majoritic garnets were found, which provide evidence for their formation within the asthenosphere and transition zone. Unlike the lithospheric garnets all majoritic garnet inclusions show negative Eu-anomalies. A narrow range of isotopically light carbon compositions (δ¹³C −17 to −24 ‰) of the host diamonds suggests that diamond formation in the sublithospheric mantle is principally different to that in the lithosphere. Direct conversion from graphite in a subducting slab appears to be the main mechanism responsible for diamond formation in this part of the Earth’s mantle beneath the Kaapvaal Craton. The peridotitic inclusion suite at Jagersfontein is similar to other diamond deposits on the Kaapvaal Craton and characterized by harzburgitic to low-Ca harzburgitic compositions.     

Phlogopite in mantle xenoliths and kimberlite from the Grib pipe,Arkhangelsk province,Russia:Evidence for multi-stage mantle metasomatism and origin of phlogopite in kimberlite

We present petrography and mineral chemistry for both phlogopite,from mantle-derived xenoliths(garnet peridotite,eclogite and clinopyroxene-phlogopite rocks)and for megacryst,macrocryst and groundmass flakes from the Grib kimberlite in the Arkhangelsk diamond province of Russia to provide new insights into multi-stage metasomatism in the subcratonic lithospheric mantle(SCLM)and the origin of phlogopite in kimberlite.Based on the analysed xenoliths,phlogopite is characterized by several generations.The first generation(Phil)occurs as coarse,discrete grains within garnet peridotite and eclogite xenoliths and as a rock-forming mineral within clinopyroxene-phlogopite xenoliths.The second phlogopite generation(Phl2)occurs as rims and outer zones that surround the Phil grains and as fine flakes within kimberlite-related veinlets filled with carbonate,serpentine,chlorite and spinel.In garnet peridotite xenoliths,phlogopite occurs as overgrowths surrounding garnet porphyroblasts,within which phlogopite is associated with Cr-spinel and minor carbonate.In eclogite xenoliths,phlogopite occasionally associates with carbonate bearing veinlet networks.Phlogopite,from the kimberlite,occurs as megacrysts,macrocrysts,microcrysts and fine flakes in the groundmass and matrix of kimberlitic pyroclasts.Most phlogopite grains within the kimberlite are characterised by signs of deformation and form partly fragmented grains,which indicates that they are the disintegrated fragments of previously larger grains.Phil,within the garnet peridotite and clinopyroxene-phlogopite xenoliths,is characterised by low Ti and Cr contents(TiO_21 wt.%,Cr_2 O_31 wt.% and Mg# = 100 × Mg/(Mg+ Fe)92)typical of primary peridotite phlogopite in mantle peridotite xenoliths from global kimberlite occurrences.They formed during SCLM metasomatism that led to a transformation from garnet peridotite to clinopyroxene-phlogopite rocks and the crystallisation of phlogopite and high-Cr clinopyroxene megacrysts before the generation of host-kimberlite magmas.One of the possible processes to generate low-Ti-Cr phlogopite is via the replacement of garnet during its interaction with a metasomatic agent enriched in K and H_2O.Rb-Sr isotopic data indicates that the metasomatic agent had a contribution of more radiogenic source than the host-kimberlite magma.Compared with peridotite xenoliths,eclogite xenoliths feature low-Ti phlogopites that are depleted in Cr_2O_3 despite a wider range of TiO_2 concentrations.The presence of phlogopite in eclogite xenoliths indicates that metasomatic processes affected peridotite as well as eclogite within the SCLM beneath the Grib kimberlite.Phl2 has high Ti and Cr concentrations(TiO_22 wt.%,Cr_2O_31 wt.% and Mg# = 100× Mg/(Mg + Fe)92)and compositionally overlaps with phlogopite from polymict brecc:ia xenoliths that occur in global kimberlite formations.These phlogopites are the product of kimberlitic magma and mantle rock interaction at mantle depths where Phl2 overgrew Phil grains or crystallized directly from stalled batches of kimberlitic magmas.Megacrysts,most macrocrysts and microcrysts are disintegrated phlogopite fragments from metasomatised peridotite and eclogite xenoliths.Fine phlogopite flakes within kimberlite groundmass represent mixing of high-Ti-Cr phlogopite antecrysts and high-Ti and low-Cr kimberlitic phlogopite with high Al and Ba contents that may have formed individual grains or overgrown antecrysts.Based on the results of this study,we propose a schematic model of SCLM metasomatism involving phlogopite crystallization,megacryst formation,and genesis of kimberlite magmas as recorded by the Grib pipe.     

Diamonds and their mineral inclusions from the A154 South pipe, Diavik Diamond Mine, Northwest territories, Canada

Mineral inclusions recovered from 100 diamonds from the A154 South kimberlite (Diavik Diamond Mines, Central Slave Craton, Canada) indicate largely peridotitic diamond sources (83%), with a minor (12%) eclogitic component. Inclusions of ferropericlase (4%) and diamond in diamond (1%) represent “undetermined” parageneses.

Compared to inclusions in diamonds from the Kaapvaal Craton, overall higher CaO contents (2.6 to 6.0 wt.%) of harzburgitic garnets and lower Mg-numbers (90.6 to 93.6) of olivines indicate diamond formation in a chemically less depleted environment. Peridotitic diamonds at A154 South formed in an exceptionally Zn-rich environment, with olivine inclusions containing more than twice the value (of  52 ppm) established for normal mantle olivine. Harzburgitic garnet inclusions generally have sinusoidal rare earth element (REE_N) patterns, enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE. A single analyzed lherzolitic garnet is re-enriched in middle to heavy REE resulting in a “normal” REE_N pattern. Two of the harzburgitic garnets have “transitional” REE_N patterns, broadly similar to that of the lherzolitic garnet. Eclogitic garnet inclusions have normal REE_N patterns similar to eclogitic garnets worldwide but at lower REE concentrations.

Carbon isotopic values (δ¹³C) range from − 10.5‰ to + 0.7‰, with 94% of diamonds falling between − 6.3‰ and − 4.0‰. Nitrogen concentrations range from below detection (< 10 ppm) to 3800 ppm and aggregation states cover the entire spectrum from poorly aggregated (Type IaA) to fully aggregated (Type IaB). Diamonds without evidence of previous plastic deformation (which may have accelerated nitrogen aggregation) typically have < 25% of their nitrogen in the fully aggregated B-centres. Assuming diamond formation beneath the Central Slave to have occurred in the Archean [Westerlund, K.J., Shirey, S.B., Richardson, S.H., Gurney, J.J., Harris, J.W., 2003b. Re–Os systematics of diamond inclusion sulfides from the Panda kimberlite, Slave craton. VIIIth International Kimberlite Conference, Victoria, Canada, Extended Abstracts, 5p.], such low aggregation states indicate mantle residence at fairly low temperatures (< 1100 °C). Geothermometry based on non-touching inclusion pairs, however, indicates diamond formation at temperatures around 1200 °C. To reconcile inclusion and nitrogen based temperature estimates, cooling by about 100–200 °C shortly after diamond formation is required.     

Petrology and geochemistry of a diamondiferous lherzolite from the Premier diamond mine, South Africa

This paper reports on the petrology and geochemistry of a diamondiferous peridotite xenolith from the Premier diamond mine in South Africa.

The xenolith is altered with pervasive serpentinisation of olivine and orthopyroxene. Garnets are in an advanced state of kelyphitisation but partly fresh. Electron microprobe analyses of the garnets are consistent with a lherzolitic paragenesis (8.5 wt.% Cr₂O₃ and 6.6 wt.% CaO). The garnets show limited variation in trace element composition, with generally low concentrations of most trace elements, e.g. Y (<11 ppm), Zr (<18 ppm) and Sr (<0.5 ppm). Garnet rare earth element concentrations, when normalised against the C1 chondrite of McDonough and Sun (Chem. Geol. 120 (1995) 223), are characterised by a rare earth element pattern similar to garnet from fertile lherzolite.

All diamonds recovered are colourless. Most crystals are sharp-edged octahedra, some with minor development of the dodecahedral form. A number of crystals are twinned octahedral macles, while aggregates of two or more octahedra are also common. Mineral inclusions are rare. Where present they are predominantly small black rosettes believed to consist of sulfide. In one instance a polymineralic (presumably lherzolitic) assemblage of reddish garnet, green clinopyroxene and a colourless mineral is recognised.

Infrared analysis of the xenolith diamonds show nitrogen contents generally lower than 500 ppm and variable nitrogen aggregation state, from 20% to 80% of the ‘B’ form. When plotted on a nitrogen aggregation diagram a well defined trend of increasing nitrogen aggregation state with increasing nitrogen content is observed. Carbon isotopic compositions range from −3.6 ‰ to −1.3 ‰. These are broadly correlated with diamond nitrogen content as determined by infrared spectroscopy, with the most negative C-isotopic compositions correlating with the lowest nitrogen contents.

Xenolith mantle equilibration temperatures, calculated from nitrogen aggregation systematics as well as the Ni in garnet thermometer are on the order of 1100 to 1200 °C.

It is concluded that the xenolith is a fertile lherzolite, and that the lherzolitic character may have resulted from the total metasomatic overprinting of pre-existing harzburgite. Metasomatism occurred prior to, or accompanied, diamond growth.     

Geochemistry, mineralogy and petrology of a new find of ultramafic lamprophyres from Bulljah Pool, Nabberu Basin, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

Four variously pipe or sill-like, Carboniferous ( ≈ 305 Ma) bodies have been located near the NE edge of the Archaean Yilgarn craton. The rocks comprise Ba---Ti-bearing tetraferriphlogopite-tetraferriannite, low Al---Ti-diopside, calcite, perovskite and groundmass titanomagnetite-chromite (up to 41.3% Cr₂O₃), with minor apatite, Mg---Mn ilmenite, rare-earth phosphate, K---Ba-feldspar (up to 17% BaO), baryte and an unidentified Ba---Zr silicate. The last three reflect very high whole-rock Ba (up to 5,652 ppm). Aegirine-rich pyroxenes occur in fenitic alteration assemblages. Together with high Si/Al and low Mg/Ca whole-rock geochemistry, these features are diagnostic of ultramafic lamprophyres (damkjernites and aillikites), although the rocks also show some affinities with classical kimberlites. Mineral concentrates from loam samples yield an array of minerals of mantle origin, including garnets (Dawson and Stephens' groups G1, 3, 5, 9 and 10), chromian diopsides (up to 6.2% Cr₂O₃), magnesiochromites (up to 20% MgO, 70% Cr₂O₃) and four compositional groups of ilmenites (low-Mn picroilmenites, Mn-rich, Mg-poor and two moderate Mn---Mg compositions). Actual spinel-lherzolite nodules are common in one body and the presence of spinel-and/or garnet-lherzolites can be inferred in the others from the concentrates. The Bulljah bodies are therefore of deep mantle origin, as confirmed by the recovery of a single microdiamond. They thus extend the field of potentially (if not necessarily economically) diamondiferous rocks beyond kimberlites and lamproites. When added to other recent lamprophyre finds, the Bulljah discoveries suggest that the Yilgarn craton could, like many other ancient cratons, be ringed and/or dotted by a diverse array of alkaline and lamprophyric rocks of varying ages which remain to be discovered.     

Mineral inclusions in microdiamonds and macrodiamonds from kimberlites of Yakutia: a comparative study

Chemical compositions were determined on mineral inclusions recovered from 290 microdiamonds (<1 mm) from 8 operating diamond mines in Yakutia. The sampled diamond mines include Mir, Udachnaya, Internatsionalnaya, Aykhal, Sytykanskaya, Yubileynaya, Komsomolskaya and Krasnopresnenskaya. The mineral inclusions include both ultramafic (peridotitic) suite (U-type) and eclogitic suite (E-type) examples. Olivines, chromites, Cr-pyropes, Cr-diopsides and enstatite were studied from U-type diamonds. Mg–Ca–Fe-garnets and omphacitic clinopyroxenes were studied from E-type microdiamonds. Abundances and compositions of these inclusions were compared with published and unpublished data on inclusions available from approximately 2000 macrodiamonds (>1 mm) from the same sources, and worldwide data for olivines and chromites. Although there are general similarities, notable exceptions were detected in about 10% of the inclusions from microdiamonds. For each of the pipes, anomalous compositions occur between the micro- and macrodiamond inclusions, but in different proportions, sometimes as high as 50% of the inclusions. Our study has demonstrated that mineral inclusions in microdiamonds are considerably more variable in their compositions and parageneses compared with inclusions in macrodiamonds.

Significant compositional anomalies in inclusions from microdiamonds include: (1) garnets containing pyroxene solid solution (majoritic component) both in U- and E-type microdiamonds from three pipes: Yubileynaya, Komsomolskaya and Krasnopresnenskaya. The moles of Si (pfu) in these garnets range from 3.07 to 3.13 and as high as 3.29, on the basis of 12 oxygens, along with a notable contents of Na₂O in two eclogitic garnets (0.43 and 0.93 wt.%) and uniquely high Cr₂O₃ and CaO contents in an ultramafic garnet of wehrlitic paragenesis; (2) coexisting wehrlitic garnets in a single microdiamond, one majoritic, the other normal, both with distinct +Eu anomalies, considered as signatures of crustal protoliths for the precursors to these garnets; (3) olivines with relatively low Fo (86–89) and high-NiO contents (0.46–0.64 wt.%), from Yubileynaya and Sytykanskaya microdiamonds; (4) chromites containing high-TiO₂ (up to 4.7 wt.%) and some extremely rich in MgO (Mg# 80). It is concluded that many of these compositional features observed may be related to a deeper origin for the microdiamond source region (>300 km), for at least a 10–30% portion of microdiamonds from each Yakutian pipe.     

Compositional classification of “kimberlitic” and “non-kimberlitic” ilmenite

Ilmenite is one of the common kimberlitic indicator minerals recovered during diamond exploration, and its distinction from non-kimberlitic rock types is important. This is particularly true for regions where these minerals are present in relatively low abundance, and they are the dominant kimberlitic indicator mineral recovered. Difficulty in visually differentiating kimberlitic from non-kimberlitic ilmenite in exploration concentrates is also an issue, and distinguishing kimberlitic ilmenite from those derive from other similar rocks, such as ultramafic lamprophyres, is practically impossible. Ilmenite is also the indicator mineral whose compositional variety has the most potential to resolve provenance issues related to mineral dispersions with contributions from multiple kimberlite sources.

Various published data sets from selected kimberlitic (including kimberlites, lamproites, and various ultramafic lamprophyres) and non-kimberlitic rock types have been compiled and evaluated in terms of their major element compositions. Compositional fields and bounding reference lines for ilmenites derived from kimberlites (sensu stricto), ultramafic lamprophyres, and other non-kimberlitic rock types have been defined primarily on MgO–TiO₂ graphs as well as MgO–Cr₂O₃ relationships.     

An updated classification scheme for mantle-derived garnet, for use by diamond explorers

Mantle-derived garnets recovered in diamond exploration programs show compositional variations in Cr, Ca, Mg, Fe and Ti that reflect the chemical, physical and lithological environments in which they occur, occasionally together with diamond. The association of diamond with mantle garnet has progressed through a number of geochemical advances, most notably those of Dawson and Stephens (1975) and Gurney (1984), which are integrated in this work with less well known petrological advances made primarily in xenolith and experimental petrology. A simple, robust garnet classification scheme is formulated which accommodates empirical garnet–diamond relationships for peridotitic (G10, G9, G12), megacrystic (G1), Ti-metasomatised (G11), pyroxenitic (G4, G5) and eclogitic (G3) lithologies in eight distinct garnet classes. The calcium-saturation characteristics of harzburgitic (G10), lherzolitic (G9) and wehrlitic (G12) garnets are described by a Ca-intercept projection that also shows promise as a relative barometer for garnet lherzolite (Grütter and Winter, 1997). Thermobarometric aspects of garnet–diamond associations are highlighted in the scheme through the use of the minor elements Mn and Na, though analysis by anything other than an electron microprobe is not required for classification. A “D” suffix is added to the G10, G4, G5 or G3 categories to indicate a strong compositional and pressure–temperature association with diamond. The scheme remains open to improvement, particularly with regard to delineation of pyroxenitic (or websteritic) diamond associations and to advances in Ca-in-garnet and Na-in-garnet thermobarometry.     

The discovery of garnets closely related to diamonds in the Finsch pipe,South Africa

Magnesium-rich, calcium-poor, lilac coloured garnets have been found in the heavy mineral concentrate of the Finsch kimberlite pipe. Some of these garnets contain sufficient chromium to place them within the compositional field of the garnets previously only reported as inclusions in diamonds.These lilac garnets are considered to have formed in equilibrium with the minerals found as inclusions in diamond and hence with the diamond itself. Their presence in the kimberlite should be diagnostic of the presence of diamond, but it is not known if there is any quantitative relationship. The garnets are considered to have a deeper provenance than the magnesian garnets commonly found as xenocrysts in kimberlite and in garnet peridotite xenoliths. The mantle composition at their depths of origin must be more refractory in nature than the peridotite xenoliths. The garnets having a higher magnesium and chromium content, a higher Mg/Fe ratio and lower calcium, aluminium and titanium than those found in the xenoliths.     

The evolution of refertilized lithospheric mantle beneath the northeastern Siberian craton: Links between mantle metasomatism,thermal state and diamond potential

Although the diamond potential of cratons is linked mainly to thick and depleted Archean lithospheric keels, there are examples of craton-edge locations and circum-cratonic Proterozoic terranes underlain by diamondiferous mantle. Here, we use the results of comprehensive major and trace-element studies of detrital garnets from diamond-rich Late Triassic (Carnian) sedimentary rocks in the northeastern Siberia to constrain the thermal and chemical state of the pre-Triassic mantle and its ability to sustain the diamond storage. The studied detrital mantle-derived garnets are dominated by low- to medium-Cr lherzolitic (～45%) and low-Cr megacrystic (～39%) chemistries, with a significant proportion of eclogitic garnets (～11%), and only subordinate contribution from harzburgitic garnets (～5%) with variable Cr₂O₃ contents (1.2–8.4 wt.%). Low-Cr megacrysts display uniform, “normal” rare-earth element (REE) patterns with no Eu/Eu* anomalies, systematic Zr and Ti enrichment (mainly within 2.5–5), which are evidence of their crystallization from deep metasomatic melts. Lherzolitic (G9) garnets exhibit normal or humped to MREE-depleted sinusoidal REE patterns and elevated Nd/Y (up to 0.33–0.41) and Zr/Y ratios (up to 7.62). Rare low- to high-Cr harzburgitic (G10) garnets have primarily “depleted”, sinusoidal REE-patterns, low Ti, Y and HREE, but vary significantly in Zr-Hf, Ti and MREE-HREE contents, Nd/Y (within 0.1–2.4) and Zr/Y (1.53–19.9) ratios. The observed trends of chemical enrichment from the most depleted, harzburgitic garnets towards lherzolitic (including high-Ti high-Cr G11-type) garnets and megacrysts result from either voluminous high-temperature metasomatism by plume-derived silicate melts or recurrent mobilization of less voluminous kimberlitic or related carbonated mantle melts, rather than the initially primitive, fertile nature of the Proterozoic SCLM. Calculated Ni-in-garnet temperatures (primarily within ～1150–1250 °C) indicate their derivation from at least ～220 km thick Cr-undersaturated lithosphere at the relevant Devonian to Triassic thermal flow of ～45 mW/m² or cooler. We suggest the existence of rare harzburgitic domains in the primarily lherzolitic diamond-facies SCLM beneath the northeastern Siberian craton at least by Triassic, whereas the abundance of eclogitic garnets, predominance of E-type inclusions in placer diamonds and specific morphologies argue for diamondiferous eclogites occurring within a ～50–65 kbar diamond window of the Olenek province by the same time.     

Highly evolved hypabyssal kimberlite sills from Wemindji,Quebec, Canada: insights into the process of flow differentiation in kimberlite magmas

Kimberlite sills emplaced in granite located near the town of Wemindji (Quebec, Canada) range from 2 cm to 1.2 m in thickness. The sills exhibit a wide variation in macroscopic appearance from fine-grained aphanitic dolomitic hypabyssal kimberlite to ilmenite/garnet macrocrystal hypabyssal kimberlite. Diatreme or crater facies rocks are not present. Multiple intrusions are present within the sills, and graded bedding and erosional features such as cross-bedding are common. The sills exhibit a wide range in their modal mineralogy with respect to the abundances of spinel, apatite, phlogopite and dolomite. Olivine is the dominant macrocryst, with an average composition of Fo₉₀. Garnet macrocrysts are low chrome (2–3 wt. %) pyrope (G1/G9 garnet). Ilmenite occurs as rounded macrocrysts (7–13 wt. % MgO). Phlogopite microphenocrysts are Ti-poor and represent a solid solution between phlogopite and kinoshitalite end members. Spinel compositions mainly represent the Cr-poor members of the qandilite–ulvöspinel–magnetite series. The principle carbonate comprising the groundmass is dolomite, with lesser later-forming calcite. Accessory minerals include apatite, Sr-rich calcite, Nb-rich rutile, baddeleyite, monazite-(Ce) and barite. While some of these accessory minerals are atypical of kimberlites in general, it is expected that differentiation products of an evolved carbonate-rich kimberlite magma will crystallize these phases. The Wemindji kimberlites offer insight into the process of crystal fractionation and differentiation in evolved kimberlite magmas. The macroscopic textural features observed in the Wemindji sills are interpreted to represent flow differentiation of a mantle-derived, very fluid, low viscosity carbonate-rich kimberlite. The diverse modes and textural features result entirely from flow differentiation and multiple intrusions of different batches of genetically related kimberlite magma. The mineralogy of the Wemindji kimberlites has some similarities to that of the Wesselton and Benfontein calcite kimberlite sills but differs in detail with respect to dominant carbonate (i.e. dolomite versus calcite), and the character of the rare earth-bearing accessory minerals (i.e. monazite-(Ce) versus rare earth fluorocarbonates).     

Enrichment processes at the base of the Archean lithospheric mantle: observations from trace element characteristics of pyropic garnet inclusions in diamonds

Trace element concentrations of peridotitic garnet inclusions in diamonds from two Chinese kimberlite pipes were determined using the ion microprobe. Garnet xenocrysts from the same two kimberlite pipes were also analyzed for comparison. In contrast to their extremely refractory major element compositions, all harzburgitic garnets showed enrichment in light rare earth elements (REE) relative to chondrite, resulting in sinuous REE patterns. Both normal and sinuous REE patterns were observed from the lherzolitic garnets. Concentrations of REE in garnets changed significantly from diamond to diamond and no specific correlations were observed with their major element compositions. Analyses of randomly selected two to three points within every grain of a large number of garnet inclusions by the ion microprobe demonstrated that there was no evident compositional heterogeneity, and multiple grains of one phase from a single diamond host also exhibit very similar compositions. This implies that the trace element heterogeneity within one grain or among multiple inclusions from the same diamond host, as reported from Siberian diamonds, is not a common feature for these Chinese diamonds. Concentrations of Na, Ti, and Zr tend to decrease when garnets become more refractory, but variations of Sr and Li are more complex. Compositions rich in light REE and relatively poor in high field strength elements (HFSE) of the harzburgitic garnet inclusions in diamonds are generally consistent with metasomatism by carbonatite melts. The trace element features observed from the garnet inclusions in Chinese diamonds may be caused by carbonatite melt infiltration and partial melt extraction. Spatial and temporal gradients in melt/rock ratio and temperature are the main reasons for the large variations of REE patterns and other trace element concentrations. Received: 27 April 1999 / Accepted: 1 March 2000