igneous
Kimberlite with Diamond
Kimberlite (Diamond formula: C)
Hardness: 10 (diamond), 6-7 (matrix); Color: Bluish-grey to dark green (matrix), clear (crystal); Luster: Adamantine (diamond), earthy (matrix); Crystal structure: Isometric; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral (diamond)
- Hardness
- 10 (diamond), 6-7 (matrix)
- Color
- Bluish-grey to dark green (matrix), clear (crystal)
- Luster
- Adamantine (diamond), earthy (matrix)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 10 (diamond), 6-7 (matrix); Color: Bluish-grey to dark green (matrix), clear (crystal); Luster: Adamantine (diamond), earthy (matrix); Crystal structure: Isometric; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral (diamond)
Formation & geological history
Formed deep within the Earth's mantle (150-450km) and transported to the surface via explosive volcanic eruptions creating vertical conduits called pipes. Age ranges from billions to millions of years old.
Uses & applications
Primarily mined for industrial diamonds used in cutting tools and gem-quality diamonds for fine jewelry.
Geological facts
Kimberlite is named after the town of Kimberley in South Africa. Only about 1 in 200 kimberlite pipes contain economic concentrations of diamonds.
Field identification & locations
Identify by 'Blue Ground' appearance and the presence of indicator minerals like pyrope garnet or chromium diopside. Found in South Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia.
