Kimberlite
A rock classification type
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About Kimberlite
Name:
The name is derived from Kimberley, South Africa.
A polymict megacryst-rich ultramafic volcanic breccia, consisting of major amounts of serpentinized olivine, with variable amounts of phlogopite, carbonate, garnet (e.g. pyrope), orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, chromite and oxides. Commonly highly serpentinized and porphyritic, it occurs in vertical pipes, dikes, and sills.
It is the principal primary host for diamonds, but only a small percentage of the known kimberlite occurrences are diamondiferous.
There are over 6,500 known occurrences of kimberlite.
It is the principal primary host for diamonds, but only a small percentage of the known kimberlite occurrences are diamondiferous.
There are over 6,500 known occurrences of kimberlite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
48035
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:48035:4
Classification of Kimberlite
Sub-divisions of Kimberlite
- Kimberlite
Mineralogy of Kimberlite
Essential minerals - these are minerals that are required within the classification of this rock:
| Mica > Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Olivine | M2SiO4 |
| Pyroxene | ADSi2O6 |
| Rhombohedral Carbonate | (Ca/Mg/Fe/Mn etc)CO3 |
Non-essential minerals - these minerals are common, sometimes major components, but are not always present:
| Monticellite | CaMg(SiO4) |
| Perovskite | CaTiO3 |
| Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
Synonyms of Kimberlite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Kimberlite associated with Olivine Group | M2SiO4 |
| 11 photos of Kimberlite associated with Diamond | C |
| 9 photos of Kimberlite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 9 photos of Kimberlite associated with Fayalite-Forsterite Series | |
| 9 photos of Kimberlite associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Kimberlite associated with Breccia | |
| 7 photos of Kimberlite associated with Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
| 6 photos of Kimberlite associated with Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 5 photos of Kimberlite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 4 photos of Kimberlite associated with Serpentine Subgroup | D3[Si2O5](OH)4 |
Internet Links for Kimberlite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-48035.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
References for Kimberlite
Reference List:
DAWSON, J. B., SMITH, J. V. (1975) Chemistry and origin of phlogopite megacrysts in kimberlite. Nature, 253 (5490). 336-338 doi:10.1038/253336b0
Alibert, C.; Michard, A.; Albarรจde, F. (1983) The transition from alkali basalts to kimberlites: Isotope and trace element evidence from melilitites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 82 (2). 176-186 doi:10.1007/bf01166612
Moore, A. E. (1988) Olivine: a monitor of magma evolutionary paths in kimberlites and olivine melilitites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 99 (2) 238-248 doi:10.1007/bf00371464
Mitchell, Roger Howard (1995) Kimberlites and Orangeites. In Kimberlites, Orangeites, and Related Rocks. Springer US. p.1-90. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-1993-5_1
Mitchell, Roger Howard (1995) Petrogenesis of Orangeites and Kimberlites. In Kimberlites, Orangeites, and Related Rocks. Springer US. p.303-384. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-1993-5_4
Mitchell, Roger Howard (1995) Kimberlites, Orangeites, and Related Rocks. Springer US. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-1993-5
Localities for Kimberlite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
โ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.




symbol to view information about a locality.
The
Kelsey Lake, State Line Kimberlite Mining District, Larimer County, Colorado, USA