Peridotitic diamonds from the Slave and the Kaapvaal cratons—similarities and differences based on a preliminary data set

A comparison of the diamond productions from Panda (Ekati Mine) and Snap Lake with those from southern Africa shows significant differences: diamonds from the Slave typically are un-resorbed octahedrals or macles, often with opaque coats, and yellow colours are very rare. Diamonds from the Kaapvaal are dominated by resorbed, dodecahedral shapes, coats are absent and yellow colours are common. The first two features suggest exposure to oxidizing fluids/melts during mantle storage and/or transport to the Earth's surface, for the Kaapvaal diamond population.

Comparing peridotitic inclusions in diamonds from the central and southern Slave (Panda, DO27 and Snap Lake kimberlites) and the Kaapvaal indicates that the diamondiferous mantle lithosphere beneath the Slave is chemically less depleted. Most notable are the almost complete absence of garnet inclusions derived from low-Ca harzburgites and a generally lower Mg-number of Slave inclusions.

Geothermobarometric calculations suggest that Slave diamonds originally formed at very similar thermal conditions as observed beneath the Kaapvaal (geothermal gradients corresponding to 40–42 mW/m² surface heat flow), but the diamond source regions subsequently cooled by about 100–150 °C to fall on a 37–38 mW/m² (surface heat flow) conductive geotherm, as is evidenced from touching (re-equilibrated) inclusions in diamonds, and from xenocrysts and xenoliths. In the Kaapvaal, a similar thermal evolution has previously been recognized for diamonds from the De Beers Pool kimberlites. In part very low aggregation levels of nitrogen impurities in Slave diamonds imply that cooling occurred soon after diamond formation. This may relate elevated temperatures during diamond formation to short-lived magmatic perturbations.

Generally high Cr-contents of pyrope garnets (inside and outside of diamonds) indicate that the mantle lithosphere beneath the Slave originally formed as a residue of melt extraction at relatively low pressures (within the stability field of spinelperidotites), possibly during the extraction of oceanic crust. After emplacement of this depleted, oceanic mantle lithosphere into the Slave lithosphere during a subduction event, secondary metasomatic enrichment occurred leading to strong re-enrichment of the deeper (>140 km) lithosphere. Because of the extent of this event and the occurrence of lower mantle diamonds, this may be related to an upwelling plume, but it may equally just reflect a long term evolution with lower mantle diamonds being transported upwards in the course of “normal” mantle convection.     

Integrated models of diamond formation and craton evolution

Two decades of diamond research in southern Africa allow the age, average N content and carbon composition of diamonds, and the dominant paragenesis of their syngenetic silicate and sulfide inclusions to be integrated on a cratonwide scale with a model of craton formation. Individual eclogitic sulfide inclusions in diamonds from the Kimberley area kimberlites, Koffiefontein, Orapa and Jwaneng have Re–Os isotopic ages that range from circa 2.9 Ga to the mid-Proterozoic and display little correspondence with the prominent variations in the P-wave velocity (±1%) that the mantle lithosphere shows at depths within the diamond stability field (150–225 km). Silicate inclusions in diamonds and their host diamond compositions for the above kimberlites, Finsch, Jagersfontein, Roberts Victor, Premier, Venetia, and Letlhakane show a regional relationship to the seismic velocity of the lithosphere. Mantle lithosphere with slower P-wave velocity relative to the craton average correlates with a greater proportion of eclogitic vs. peridotitic silicate inclusions in diamond, a greater incidence of younger Sm–Nd ages of silicate inclusions, a greater proportion of diamonds with lighter C isotopic composition, and a lower percentage of low-N diamonds. The oldest formation ages of diamonds support a model whereby mantle that became part of the continental keel of cratonic nuclei first was created by middle Archean (3.2–3.3 Ga or older) mantle depletion events with high degrees of melting and early harzburgite formation. The predominance of eclogitic sulfide inclusions in the 2.9 Ga age population links late Archean (2.9 Ga) subduction–accretion events to craton stabilization. These events resulted in a widely distributed, late Archean generation of eclogitic diamonds in an amalgamated craton. Subsequent Proterozoic tectonic and magmatic events altered the composition of the continental lithosphere and added new lherzolitic and eclogitic diamonds to the already extensive Archean diamond suite. Similar age/paragenesis systematics are seen for the more limited data sets from the Slave and Siberian cratons.     

Multiple-mineral inclusions in diamonds from the Snap Lake/King Lake kimberlite dike, Slave craton, Canada: a trace-element perspective

Multiple inclusions of minerals in diamonds from the Snap Lake/King Lake kimberlites of the southeastern Slave craton in Canada have been analyzed for trace elements to elucidate the petrogenetic history of these inclusions, and of their host diamonds. As observed worldwide, the harzburgitic-garnet diamond inclusions (DIs) possess sinusoidal REE patterns that indicate an early depletion event, followed by metasomatism by LREE-enriched, HREE-depleted fluids. Furthermore, these fluids appear to contain appreciable concentrations of LILE and HFSE, based on the increasing abundances of these elements in the olivine inclusion that occurs at the outer portion of a diamond compared to that near the core. The compositions of these fluids are probably a mixture of hydrous-silicic melt, carbonatitic melt, and brine, similar to the compositions of micro-inclusions in diamonds reported by Navon et al. (2003). Comparison between the compositions of majoritic and normal harzburgitic garnets shows that the former are more depleted in terms of major/minor elements (higher Cr#) but significantly more enriched in the REE (up to 10×). This characteristic may indicate the higher susceptibility for metasomatic enrichment of previously more depleted garnets. Garnets of eclogitic paragenesis show strong LREE-depleted patterns, whereas the coexisting omphacite inclusion has relatively flat light- and middle-REE but depleted HREE. Whole-rock reconstruction from coexisting garnet and omphacite inclusions indicates that the protolith of these inclusions was probably the extrusive section of an oceanic crust, subducted beneath the Slave craton.     

Regional patterns in the paragenesis and age of inclusions in diamond, diamond composition, and the lithospheric seismic structure of Southern Africa

The Archean lithospheric mantle beneath the Kaapvaal–Zimbabwe craton of Southern Africa shows ±1% variations in seismic P-wave velocity at depths within the diamond stability field (150–250 km) that correlate regionally with differences in the composition of diamonds and their syngenetic inclusions. Seismically slower mantle trends from the mantle below Swaziland to that below southeastern Botswana, roughly following the surface outcrop pattern of the Bushveld-Molopo Farms Complex. Seismically slower mantle also is evident under the southwestern side of the Zimbabwe craton below crust metamorphosed around 2 Ga. Individual eclogitic sulfide inclusions in diamonds from the Kimberley area kimberlites, Koffiefontein, Orapa, and Jwaneng have Re–Os isotopic ages that range from circa 2.9 Ga to the Proterozoic and show little correspondence with these lithospheric variations. However, silicate inclusions in diamonds and their host diamond compositions for the above kimberlites, Finsch, Jagersfontein, Roberts Victor, Premier, Venetia, and Letlhakane do show some regional relationship to the seismic velocity of the lithosphere. Mantle lithosphere with slower P-wave velocity correlates with a greater proportion of eclogitic versus peridotitic silicate inclusions in diamond, a greater incidence of younger Sm–Nd ages of silicate inclusions, a greater proportion of diamonds with lighter C isotopic composition, and a lower percentage of low-N diamonds whereas the converse is true for diamonds from higher velocity mantle. The oldest formation ages of diamonds indicate that the mantle keels which became continental nuclei were created by middle Archean (3.2–3.3 Ga) mantle depletion events with high degrees of melting and early harzburgite formation. The predominance of sulfide inclusions that are eclogitic in the 2.9 Ga age population links late Archean (2.9 Ga) subduction-accretion events involving an oceanic lithosphere component to craton stabilization. These events resulted in a widely distributed younger Archean generation of eclogitic diamonds in the lithospheric mantle. Subsequent Proterozoic tectonic and magmatic events altered the composition of the continental lithosphere and added new lherzolitic and eclogitic diamonds to the already extensive Archean diamond suite.     

Growth medium composition of coated diamonds from the Sytykanskaya kimberlite pipe (Yakutia)

We present the first results of studying the major- and trace-element composition of microinclusions in the coats of type IV diamonds from the Sytykanskaya pipe. These microinclusions are of silicate–carbonate composition. Similar compositions are reported for diamonds from the placers of the northeastern Siberian Platform and cuboids from the Internatsional'naya pipe. The microinclusions studied are close to kimberlites and carbonatites in trace-element composition but depleted in HFSE, Mg, and transition metals and enriched in K and LILE. The distribution of incompatible elements in the microinclusions studied is similar to the “table” pattern, which was observed for high-density hydrous-silicic fluids.     

Crystalline inclusions and C isotope ratios in diamonds from the Snap Lake/King Lake kimberlite dyke system: evidence of ultradeep and enriched lithospheric mantle

U-type paragenesis inclusions predominate (94.7%) among the crystalline inclusion suite of 115 diamonds (−4+2 mm) obtained from the recently discovered Snap Lake/King Lake (SKL) kimberlite dyke system, Southern Slave, Canada. The most common inclusions are olivine (90) and enstatite (22). Sulfide, Cr-pyrope, chromite and Cr-diopside inclusion are less abundant (15, 10, 5 and 1, respectively). Results of the inclusion composition study demonstrate the following. (a) The relatively enriched character of the mantle parent rocks of the U-type diamonds. The average Mg# of olivine inclusions is 92.1, and of enstatite inclusions average 93.3. CaO content in Cr-pyrope inclusions is relatively high (3.73–5.75 wt.%). (b) Four of ten U-type Cr-rich pyrope inclusions contain a majoritic component up to 16.8 mol.% which requires pressures of 110 kbar. Carbon isotopes compositions for 34 diamonds with U-type inclusions have a δ¹³C range from −3.2‰ to −9‰ with a strong peak around −3.5‰. This is much heavier than the ratios of U-type diamonds from Siberia and South Africa (4.5‰). Diamonds with olivine inclusions can be divided into two groups based on their δ¹³C values as well as the Mg# and Ni/Fe ratio in the olivines. Most show a narrow range of δ¹³C values from −3.2‰ to −4.8‰ (average −3.72‰) and have olivine inclusions with Mg# less than 92.3 and relatively high Fe/Ni ratios. A second group is characterized by a much wider variation of C isotope composition (δ¹³C varies from −3.8‰ to −9.0‰, average −5.97‰), and the olivine inclusions having a higher Mg# (up to 93.6) and relatively low Fe/Ni ratios. This difference in the C isotope composition may have several explanations: (a) peculiarities of asthenosphere degassing coupled with an abnormal thickness of lithosphere; (b) the abnormal thickness and enriched character of lithospheric mantle; (c) involvement of subducted C of crustal origin in the processes of the diamond formation. The presence of subcalcic Cr-rich majorite (up to 17 mol.%) pyropes of low-Ca harzburgite paragenesis among the crystalline inclusion suite of SKL diamonds is strong evidence for the existence of diamondiferous depleted peridotite in lithospheric mantle at depth near 300 km beneath Southern Slave area and is postulated to be one of the main reasons for the much heavier C isotope composition of SKL U-type diamonds in comparison with those from Siberian and South African kimberlites.     

Mineral inclusions and geochemical characteristics of microdiamonds from the DO27, A154, A21, A418, DO18, DD17 and Ranch Lake kimberlites at Lac de Gras, Slave Craton, Canada

A mineral inclusion, carbon isotope, nitrogen content, nitrogen aggregation state and morphological study of 576 microdiamonds from the DO27, A154, A21, A418, DO18, DD17 and Ranch Lake kimberlites at Lac de Gras, Slave Craton, was conducted. Mineral inclusion data show the diamonds are largely eclogitic (64%), followed by peridotitic (25%) and ultradeep (11%). The paragenetic abundances are similar to macrodiamonds from the DO27 kimberlite (Davies, R.M., Griffin, W.L., O'Reilly, S.Y., 1999. Diamonds from the deep: pipe DO27, Slave craton, Canada. In: Gurney, J.J., Gurney, J.L., Pascoe, M.D., Richardson, S.H. (Eds.), The J. B. Dawson Vol., Proc. 7th Internat. Kimberlite Conf., Red Roof Designs, Cape Town, pp. 148–155) but differ to diamonds from nearby kimberlites at Ekati (e.g., Lithos (2004); Tappert, R., Stachel, T., Harris, J.W., Brey, G.P., 2004. Mineral Inclusions in Diamonds from the Panda Kimberlite, S. P., Canada. 8th International Kimberlite Conference, extended abstracts) and Snap Lake to the south (Dokl. Earth Sci. 380 (7) (2001) 806), that are dominated by peridotitic stones.

Eclogitic diamonds with variable inclusion compositions and temperatures of formation (1040–1300 °C) crystallised at variable lithospheric depths sometimes in changing chemical environments. A large range to very ¹³C-depleted C-isotope compositions (δ¹³C=−35.8‰ to −2.2‰) and an NMORB bulk composition, calculated from trace elements in garnet and clinopyroxene inclusions, are consistent with an origin from subducted oceanic crust and sediments. Carbon isotopes in the peridotitic diamonds have mantle compositions (δ¹³C mode −4.0‰). Mineral inclusion compositions are largely harzburgitic. Variable temperatures of formation (garnet T_Ni=800–1300 °C) suggest the peridotitic diamonds originate from the shallow ultra-depleted and deeper less depleted layers of the central Slave lithosphere. Carbon isotopes (δ¹³C av.=−5.1‰) and mineral inclusions in the ultradeep diamonds suggest they formed in peridotitic mantle (670 km). The diamonds may have been entrained in a plume and subcreted to the base of the central Slave lithosphere.

Poorly aggregated nitrogen (IaA without platelets) in a large number of eclogitic (67%) and peridotitic (32%) diamonds, with similar nitrogen contents, indicates the diamonds were stored in the mantle at low temperatures (1060–<1100 °C) following crystallisation in the Archean. Type IaA diamonds have largely cubo-octahedral growth forms, and Type II and Type IaAB diamonds, with higher nitrogen aggregation states, mostly have octahedral morphologies. However, no correlation between these groups and their mineral inclusion compositions, C-isotopes, and N-contents rules out the possibility of unique source origins and suggests eclogitic and peridotitic diamonds experienced variable mantle thermal states. Variation in mineral inclusion chemistries in single diamonds, possible overgrowths of ¹³C-depleted eclogitic diamond on diamonds with peridotitic and ultradeep inclusions, and Type I ultradeep diamond with low N-aggregation is consistent with diamond growth over time in changing chemical environments.     

Typomorphic characteristics of the Ural diamonds (from FTIR spectroscopy data)

Natural diamonds from the Ural alluvial deposits have been studied by FTIR spectroscopy. It is shown that these diamonds are similar in some typomorphic features, such as nitrogen content and aggregation state, to the diamonds of the Coromandel (Brazil) and Verkhnee Molodo (Lena region, Yakutia) placers and to the diamonds from kimberlites of the Arkhangel’sk Region but differ significantly in lower contents of hydrogen and higher contents of platelets. The high contents of hydrogen (5–20 cm–1) determined in some diamonds are due to the specific formation of their internal structure and to the presence of inclusions. The nonuniform distribution of nitrogen A- and B-centers throughout the crystal testifies to the zonal structure of diamonds. The temperature conditions of formation of the Ural diamonds have been estimated.     

Mineral inclusions in fibrous diamonds: constraints on cratonic mantle refertilization and diamond formation

We analyzed mineral microinclusions in fibrous diamonds from the Wawa metaconglomerate (Superior craton) and Diavik kimberlites (Slave craton) and compared them with published compositions of large mineral inclusions in non-fibrous diamonds from these localities. The comparison, together with similar datasets available for Ekati and Koffiefontein kimberlites, suggest a general pattern of metasomatic alteration imposed on the ambient mantle by formation of fibrous diamond. Calcium and Fe enrichment of peridotitic garnet and pyroxenes and Fe enrichment of olivine associated with fibrous diamond-forming fluids contributes to refertilization of the cratonic mantle. Saline—carbonatitic—silicic fluid trapped by fibrous diamonds may represent one of the elusive agents of mantle refertilization. Calcium enrichment of peridotitic garnet and pyroxenes is expected in local mantle segments during fibrous diamond production, as Ca in the carbonatitic fluids is deposited into the surrounding mantle when oxidized carbon is reduced to diamond. Harzburgitic garnet evolves towards Ca-rich compositions even when it interacts with Ca-poor saline fluids. An unusual trend of Mg enrichment to Fo_95–98 is observed in some olivine inclusions in Wawa fibrous diamonds. The trend may result from the carbonatitic composition of the fluid that promotes crystallization of magnesian olivine and preferentially oxidizes the fayalite component. We propose a generic model of fibrous and non-fibrous diamond formation from carbonatitic fluids that explains enrichment of the mantle in mafic magmaphile and incompatible elements and accounts for locally metasomatized compositions of diamond inclusions.     

Syngenetic phlogopite inclusions in kimberlite-hosted diamonds: implications for role of volatiles in diamond formation

We discuss the chemistry of exceptionally rare phlogopite inclusions coexisting with ultramafic (peridotitic) and eclogitic minerals in kimberlite-hosted diamonds of Yakutia, Arkhangelsk, and Venezuela provinces. Phlogopite inclusions in diamonds are octahedral negative crystals following the diamond faceting in all 34 samples (including polymineralic inclusions). On this basis phlogopite inclusions have been interpreted as syngenetic and in equilibrium with the associated minerals. In ultramafic diamonds phlogopites coexist with subcalcic high-Cr₂O₃ pyrope and/or chromite, olivine and enstatite (dunite/harzburgite (H) paragenesis) or with clinopyroxene, enstatite, and/or olivine and pyrope (lherzolite (L) paragenesis). Ultramafic phlogopites have high Mg# [100?Mg/(Mg+Fe)] from 92.4 to 95.2 and Cr₂O₃ higher than TiO₂ in H-phlogopites (1.5–2.5 wt.% versus 0.1–0.4 wt.%, respectively) but lower in L-phlogopites (0.15–0.5 wt.% versus 1.3–3.5 wt.%, respectively). Eclogitic (E) phlogopites show Mg# from 47.4 to 85.3 inclusive, and very broad ranges of TiO₂ up to 12 wt.%. The primary syngenetic origin of phlogopite is indicated, besides other factors, by its compositional consistency with the associated minerals. The analyzed phlogopites are depleted in BaO (0.10–0.79 wt.%), and their F and Cl contents are highly variable reaching 1.29 and 0.49 wt.%, respectively. The latter is in line with high Cl enrichment in some unaltered kimberlites and in nanometric fluid inclusions from diamonds. The presence of syngenetic phlogopite in kimberlite-hosted diamonds provides important evidence that volatiles participated in diamond formation and that at least a part of diamonds may have been related to early stages of kimberlites formation.     

Silicate Inclusions in Metamorphic Diamonds from the Ultra-High Pressure Kokchetav Complex (Kazakhstan)

Doklady Earth Sciences - Mineral inclusions in cubic diamonds from garnet–clinopyroxene rock of the Kokchetav massif were studied. The coexistence of fluid and silicate inclusions in the...     

Homogenization of carbonate-bearing microinclusions in diamond at <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> parameters of the upper mantle

The staged high-pressure annealing of natural cubic diamonds with numerous melt microinclusions from the Internatsional’naya kimberlite pipe was studied experimentally. The results mainly show that the carbonate phases, the daughter phases in partially crystallized microinclusions in diamonds, may undergo phase transformations under the mantle P–T conditions. Most likely, partial melting and further dissolution of dolomite in the carbonate–silicate melt (homogenization of inclusions) occur in inclusions. The experimental data on the staged high-pressure annealing of diamonds with melt microinclusions allow us to estimate the temperature of their homogenization as 1400–1500°C. Thus, cubic diamonds from the Internatsional’naya pipe could have been formed under quite high temperatures corresponding to the lithosphere/asthenosphere boundary. However, it should be noted that the effect of selective capture of inclusions with partial loss of volatiles in relation to the composition of the crystallization medium is not excluded during the growth. This may increase the temperature of their homogenization significantly between 1400 and 1500°C.     

Microinclusions in dark gray diamond crystals of octahedral habit from Yakutian kimberlites

Micrometer-sized inclusions in dark gray diamond crystals of octahedral habit from Yakutian kimberlites were studied by analytical scanning electron microscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy. In addition to peridotite-suite silicate inclusions (enstatie and olivine), which were previously studied in detail as macroinclusions in perfect diamond crystals, there are abundant inclusions of native metals (Fe-Cr and Fe-Cr-Ti intermetallic compounds and metallic Fe), sulfides (Fe-Ni sulfide, polydymite, and chalcopyrite), and carbonates (calcite). Rare grains of ilmenite, fluorite, apatite, zircon, phlogopite, and some other minerals were also found. The gray and black colors of diamonds were previously attributed to the presence of graphite. Although this phase was identified in the electron diffraction patterns of all the samples, its content was very low. Microinclusions of induced octahedral morphology composed of intimate enstatite-calcite intergrowths were also found. Possible deep processes responsible for the formation of diamonds with such a peculiar inclusion association are discussed in light of new data on experimental synthesis. Original Russian Text ? S.V. Titkov, A.I. Gorshkov, N.G. Zudin, I.D. Ryabchikov, L.O. Magazina, A.V. Sivtsov, 2006, published in Geokhimiya, 2006, No. 11, pp. 1209–1217.     

Prospects of search for diamondiferous kimberlites in the northeastern Siberian Platform

The objects of study are Triassic hypabyssal diamondiferous kimberlites with an age of 220-245 Ma, containing macrocrysts of unaltered olivine. The latter are close in the time of formation to the main stage of intrusion of the Siberian Trap Province (252 Ma), which lasted less than 1 Myr. A comparative high-precision analytical study of the Ti, Ca, Cr, and Al impurity patterns in about 1000 olivine macrocryst samples with a forsterite content Fo = (100Mg/(Mg + Fe)) of 78 to 93 has demonstrated the effect of traps on the lithospheric composition. A comprehensive comparative study of diamonds from northern placers and Triassic kimberlites, including determination of their carbon isotope composition, was performed. Chromatography-mass-spectroscopic analysis of submicron fluid inclusions in diamonds from northern placers and kimberlites has shown predominant hydrocarbons of a wide range of compositions and subordinate contents of N₂, H₂O, and CO₂. These findings, together with the results of previous studies of subcalcic Cr-pyropes and diamonds found in the Lower Carboniferous gritstones of the Kyutyungde graben, lead to the conclusion that the Toluopka kimberlite field is promising for Paleozoic kimberlites. The results of comprehensive studies of diamonds and indicator minerals and U/Pb isotope dating of numerous detrital zircon samples from the basal horizon of the Carnian Stage (Upper Triassic) of the Bulkur site in the lower reaches of the Lena River suggest the presence of diamondiferous kimberlites within the northeastern Siberian Platform. The age of the probable primary diamond sources in the study area can be evaluated by an integrated U/Pb isotope dating of zircons, perovskites, and rutiles from the developed diamond placers and the basal horizon of the Carnian Stage.     

Episodic diamond genesis at Jwaneng, Botswana, and implications for Kaapvaal craton evolution

Major element and Re–Os isotope analysis of single sulfide inclusions in diamonds from the 240 Ma Jwaneng kimberlite has revealed the presence of at least two generations of eclogitic diamonds at this locality, one Proterozoic (ca. 1.5 Ga) and the other late Archean (ca. 2.9 Ga). The former generation is considered to be the same as that of eclogitic garnet and clinopyroxene inclusion bearing diamonds from Jwaneng with a Sm–Nd isochron age of 1.54 Ga. The latter is coeval with the 2.89 Ga subduction-related generation of eclogitic sulfide inclusion bearing diamonds from Kimberley formed during amalgamation of the western and eastern Kaapvaal craton near the Colesberg magnetic lineament.

The Kimberley, Jwaneng, and Premier kimberlites are key localities for characterizing the relationship between episodic diamond genesis and Kaapvaal craton evolution. Kimberley has 3.2 Ga harzburgitic diamonds associated with creation of the western Kaapvaal cratonic nucleus, and 2.9 Ga eclogitic diamonds resulting from its accretion to the eastern Kaapvaal. Jwaneng has two main eclogitic diamond generations (2.9 and 1.5 Ga) reflecting both stabilization and subsequent modification of the craton. Premier has 1.9 Ga lherzolitic diamonds that postdate Bushveld–Molopo magmatism (but whose precursors have Archean Sm–Nd model ages), as well as 1.2 Ga eclogitic diamonds. Thus, Jwaneng provides the overlap between the dominantly Archean vs. Proterozoic diamond formation evident in the Kimberley and Premier diamond suites, respectively. In addition, the 1.5 Ga Jwaneng eclogitic diamond generation is represented by both sulfide and silicate inclusions, allowing for characterization of secular trends in diamond type and composition. Results for Jwaneng and Kimberley eclogitic sulfides indicate that Ni- and Os-rich end members are more common in Archean diamonds compared to Proterozoic diamonds. Similarly, published data for Kimberley and Premier peridotitic silicates show that Ca-rich (lherzolitic) end members are more likely to be found in Proterozoic diamonds than Archean diamonds. Thus, the available diamond distribution, composition, and age data support a multistage process to create, stabilize, and modify Archean craton keels on a billion-year time scale and global basis.     

Early Proterozoic diamond-bearing kimberlites of Karelia and their formation peculiarities

Early Proterozoic kimberlites of Karelia are among the most ancient diamond-bearing primary source rocks in the world. They compose the large (2.0 × 0.8 km) Kimozero body localized in the predicted Zaonezhskoe kimberlite field. The established and assumed occurrences of kimberlite magmatism are located within the Karelian craton, which was stabilized during the Early Archean. They are confined to the central part of a large geophysical anomaly detected by gravity, magnetic, seismic, and heat-flow studies and mark a deep-seated magma chamber. Kimberlite bodies occur within structural blocks bounded by zones of plicative-rupture dislocations.The Kimozero kimberlites form an extensive but thin saucer-like body cut by narrow quasi-cylindrical feeders and dikes. It consists of metamorphosed kimberlites, their breccias and tuffs with widely varying amounts of mica. The body includes fragmentary fine-layered crater formations. The rocks contain olivine and phlogopite phenocrysts in an extremely altered groundmass of serpentine, chlorite, calcite, mica, and ore minerals as well as indicator minerals of kimberlites, such as Cr-spinel, manganiferous ilmenite, Cr-diopside, and rare pyrope. About 100 diamonds were extracted from 12 samples (total weight 815 kg). The crystals are colorless resorbed octahedra and, more seldom, combined octahedra-dodecahedra and spinel twins with abundant green spots caused by natural irradiation, which often make the whole crystal surface green. The diamonds contain inclusions of Mg-rich orthopyroxene and pentlandite suggestive of peridotitic lithospheric mantle derivation and dating of the sulfide inclusion implies a late Archean mantle source. By petrochemistry, the rocks are classified as kimberlites.The Kimozero kimberlites differ from classical Phanerozoic ones in having higher Fe contents, low contents of alkalies and P₂O₅, and intense superimposed carbonate, magnetite, and amphibole mineralization. The saucer-like bodies with narrow feeders without developed diatremes have no analogs in Russia but are similar to the saucer-like kimberlite bodies in Canada (Fort a la Corne), India (Tokapal), and Central Africa (Bakwanga) and the West Kimberley lamproites in Australia. By analogy with these bodies and on the basis of some common petrographic features (presence of pyroclastics and specific amoeba-like autoliths, scarcity of fragments of the enclosing rocks, local reworking of the deposited matter), the Kimozero kimberlites are considered to be the products of subaerial volcanic central-type eruptions.     

Associated chemical and carbon isotopic composition variations in diamonds from Finsch and Premier kimberlite,South Africa

The carbon isotopic composition of 66 inclusion-containing diamonds from the Premier kimberlite, South Africa, 93 inclusion-containing diamonds and four diamonds of two diamond-bearing peridotite xenoliths from the Finsch kimberlite, South Africa was measured. The data suggest a relationship between the carbon isotopic composition of the diamonds and the chemical composition of the associated silicates. For both kimberlites similar trends are noted for diamonds containing peridotite-suite inclusions (P-type) and for diamonds containing eclogite-suite inclusions (E-type): Higher δ¹³C P-type diamonds tend to have inclusions lower in SiO₂ (ol), Al₂O₃ (opx, gt), Cr₂O₃, MgO, $\text{Mg}\text{(Mg + Fe)}$ (ol, opx, gt) and higher in FeO (ol, opx, gt) and CaO (gt). Higher δ¹³C E-type diamonds tend to have inclusions lower in SiO₂, Al₂O₃ (gt, cpx), MgO, $\text{Mg}\text{(Mg + Fe)}$ (gt), Na₂O, K₂O, TiO₂ (cpx) and higher in CaO, $\text{Ca}\text{(Ca + Mg)}$ (gt, cpx).Consideration of a number of different models that have been proposed for the genesis of kimberlites, their xenoliths and diamonds shows that they are all consistent with the conclusion that in the mantle, regions exist that are characterized by different mean carbon isotopic compositions.     

Nature of diamonds in Yakutian eclogites: views from eclogite tomography and mineral inclusions in diamonds

We have performed dissections of two diamondiferous eclogites (UX-1 and U33/1) from the Udachnaya kimberlite, Yakutia in order to understand the nature of diamond formation and the relationship between the diamonds, their mineral inclusions, and host eclogite minerals. Diamonds were carefully recovered from each xenolith, based upon high-resolution X-ray tomography images and three-dimensional models. The nature and physical properties of minerals, in direct contact with diamonds, were investigated at the time of diamond extraction. Polished sections of the eclogites were made, containing the mould areas of the diamonds, to further investigate the chemical compositions of the host minerals and the phases that were in contact with diamonds. Major- and minor-element compositions of silicate and sulfide mineral inclusions in diamonds show variations among each other, and from those in the host eclogites. Oxygen isotope compositions of one garnet and five clinopyroxene inclusions in diamonds from another Udachnaya eclogite (U51) span the entire range recorded for eclogite xenoliths from Udachnaya. In addition, the reported compositions of almost all clinopyroxene inclusions in U51 diamonds exhibit positive Eu anomaly. This feature, together with the oxygen isotopic characteristics, is consistent with the well-established hypothesis of subduction origin for Udachnaya eclogite xenoliths. It is intuitive to expect that all eclogite xenoliths in a particular kimberlite should have common heritage, at least with respect to their included diamonds. However, the variation in the composition of multiple inclusions within diamonds, and among diamonds, from the same eclogite indicates the involvement of complex processes in diamond genesis, at least in the eclogite xenoliths from Yakutia that we have studied.     

New data on kimberlite magmatism in southwestern Angola

First data on the geologic and geochemical compositions of kimberlites from nine kimberlite pipes of southwestern Angola are presented. In the north of the study area, there are the Chikolongo and Chicuatite kimberlite pipes; in the south, a bunch of four Galange pipes (I–IV); and in the central part, the Ochinjau, Palue, and Viniaty pipes. By geochemical parameters, these rocks are referred to as classical kimberlites: They bear mantle inclusions of ultrabasites, eclogites, various barophilic minerals (including ones of diamond facies), and diamonds. The kimberlite pipes are composed of petrographically diverse rocks: tuffstones, tuff breccias, kimberlite breccias, autolithic kimberlite breccias, and massive porphyritic kimberlites. In mineralogical, petrographic, and geochemical compositions the studied kimberlites are most similar to group I kimberlites of South Africa and Fe-Ti-kimberlites of the Arkhangel’sk diamondiferous province. Comparison of the mineralogical compositions of kimberlites from southwestern Angola showed that the portion of mantle (including diamondiferous) material of depth facies in kimberlite pipes regularly increases in the S-N direction. The northern diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes are localized in large destructive zones of NE strike, and the central and southern diamond-free pipes, in faults of N-S strike.     

Mineralogical criteria for the diamond potential of Upper Triassic placers on the northeastern margin of the Siberian Platform

Representative sampling of a diamond-bearing basal horizon in the Carnian Stage (Upper Triassic) on the northeastern margin of the Siberian Platform revealed a wide spectrum of indicator minerals, first of all, garnets, whose compositions are the same as in the inclusions in the regional diamonds. Of special interest are garnets of potential eclogite paragenesis with an abnormally high impurity of MnO (0.5–3.2 wt.%), which was earlier detected in more than 20% of garnets present as inclusions in diamonds of northern Quaternary placers and recommended as a new mineralogical criterion for diamond presence. Subcalcic Cr-pyropes of dunite–harzburgite paragenesis were also found in variable amounts, from 0.7 to 3.9 rel.%, in the sample of 973 grains of pyropes of lherzolite and websterite parageneses. Three grains contain 11.9, 12.6, and 16 wt.% Cr₂O₃, which corresponds to the presence of 30–34% of Mg–Cr-knorringite component. Such pyropes have been revealed for the first time in the study region. Cr-spinels are a mixture of compositions typical of kimberlites and the regional alkali-ultrabasic rocks. All studied samples contain picroilmenites with a variable content of Cr₂O₃ impurity. Since Mg–Fe–Ca-garnets with Mg# < 35 can be partly hosted in metamorphic rocks of the Anabar Shield, the elevated content of Na₂O impurity (> 0.09 wt.%) was also taken into account. The different contents of indicator minerals in the samples might be due to the variable composition of the diamond orebodies. The Carnian placers call for new systematic sampling. Special attention should be given to estimation of the composition of garnets of presumably eclogite paragenesis with elevated contents of TiO₂, MnO, CaO, and Na₂O and to search for perovskite and Nb-containing rutile. These minerals, together with zircons, are of interest for determining the U–Pb isotopic age of probable diamond orebodies—kimberlites.