igneous

Kimberlite

Hardness: 6-7 (varied mineral components). Color: Dark blue-grey to green (blue ground), weathered to yellow-brown. Luster: Dull to greasy. Structure: Porphyritic. Specific Gravity: 2.7 - 3.3.

Hardness: 6-7 (varied mineral components)
Luster: Dull to greasy

Identified May 3, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (varied mineral components). Color: Dark blue-grey to green (blue ground), weathered to yellow-brown. Luster: Dull to greasy. Structure: Porphyritic. Specific Gravity: 2.7 - 3.3.

Formation & geological history

Formed through high-pressure volcanic eruptions originating in the mantle (>150km depth) during the Archean to Cenozoic eras. They occur as vertical pipe-like structures called diatremes.

Uses & applications

Primary industrial source of diamonds. While not used for construction, it is the most significant ore for both industrial and gemstone-grade diamonds.

Geological facts

Named after Kimberley, South Africa, where a diamond rush led to the recognition of this rock type. It is essentially a 'mantle elevator' that brings deep-earth minerals quickly to the surface.

Field identification & locations

Look for a heavy, dark, coarse-grained rock with inclusions of green olivine, red pyrope garnet, and black ilmenite. Found in stable continental cratons like those in South Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia.

Other igneous specimens

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Blue Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

mineral

Dark Igneous Rock (Likely Basalt or Diabase)

Basalt (extrusive igneous rock) or Diabase (intrusive igneous rock - also known as Dolerite), largely composed of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene (augite), and sometimes olivine and amphibole. Exact mineralogy would require thin section analysis.

Igneous