What minerals are in kimberlite?
Garnet, chromite, ilmenite, chromium diopside, and olivine occur in kimberlites in significantly higher quantities than diamonds. As kimberlite indicator minerals, they are used for diamond prospecting, as well as for the primary assessment of whether a target kimberlite is diamond-bearing or not.
What are the characteristics of kimberlite?
Kimberlite, also called blue ground, a dark-coloured, heavy, often altered and brecciated (fragmented), intrusive igneous rock that contains diamonds in its rock matrix. It has a porphyritic texture, with large, often rounded crystals (phenocrysts) surrounded by a fine-grained matrix (groundmass).
What are the 5 physical properties of minerals?
Most minerals can be characterized and classified by their unique physical properties: hardness, luster, color, streak, specific gravity, cleavage, fracture, and tenacity.
What determines a mineral’s physical properties?
The physical properties of minerals are determined by the atomic structure and crystal chemistry of the minerals. The most common physical properties are crystal form, color, hardness, cleavage, and specific gravity. One of the best ways to identify a mineral is by examining its crystal form (external shape).
Are kimberlites valuable?
Economic importance of Kimberlite Kimberlites are the most important source of diamonds in the world. About 6,400 kimberlite pipes have been discovered in the world, of those about 900 have been classified as diamondiferous, and of those just over 30 have been economic enough to diamond mine.
What is kimberlite worth?
Kimberlites form this region do yield beautiful diamonds which mostly range from very small to a maximum of 3 carats. Customers have found 1/4 carat to 1/2 carat blue diamonds and yellow & clear diamonds between 1/4 and 2 carats within our specimens worth $1,500-$4,000.
What is kimberlite made of?
Kimberlite is composed of at least 35% olivine, together with other minerals such as mica, serpentine, and calcite (Jackson, 1997). Geologists call it an ultrabasic rock, which means it does not contain any quartz or feldspar, the two most common rock-forming minerals.
Which minerals has a resinous luster?
Amber, sphalerite, almandine garnet, and some specimens of sulfur exhibit a resinous luster. Specimens with a resinous luster are usually yellow, orange, red, or brown in color.
What is the hardest known mineral on Earth?
diamond
Talc is the softest and diamond is the hardest. Each mineral can scratch only those below it on the scale.
Can you find diamonds in Lamproite?
Lamproite breccia tuff erodes quickly and is responsible for most diamonds found at the park today. However, the chances of finding a diamond by breaking apart lamproite are slim. Most diamonds are found in areas where natural erosion has broken this rock down.
