0
Diamonds ascend to the Earth's surface in rare molten rock, or magma that originates at great depths. Carrying diamonds and other samples from Earth's mantle, this magma rises and erupts in small but violent volcanoes.
Just beneath such volcanoes is a carrot-shaped "pipe" filled with volcanic rock, mantle fragments, and some embedded diamonds. The rock is called kimberlite after the city of Kimberley, South Africa, where the pipes were first discovered in the 1870s.
Another rock that provides diamonds is lamproite.
The extraction process can take place at the mine site, where the excavated material is washed and tumbled. Because diamond is heaviest of all the materials mined, it falls to the bottom and is otherwise sorted from the mined materials.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Are most most diamonds formed inside kimberlite?
All diamonds are formed from carbon. Kimberlite and diamonds are both erupted to the earth's surface via volcanic pipes. Kimberlite is an indicator mineral, increasing odds for geologists that a volcanic pipe includes diamonds: not all pipes erupt diamonds with kimberlite. Kimberlite can be considered a 'neighbor' or 'kin' of diamond, but not a source.
Where is kimberlite found?
Kimberlite is a rare, blue-tinged, coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock that often contains diamonds. Some kimberlite deposits have been found in Western Kenya.
Are most diamonds mined directly from Kimberlite?
Kimberlite is an indicator mineral, formed deep within the earth's mantle where diamonds are also formed. Often, they are found together, but not always. Kimberlite is not diamond: they are different minerals.
What are the types of soil has diamonds?
Volcanic soil that contains indicator minerals, such as kimberlite, is where you will find diamonds.
In what geologic settings do diamonds occur?
Diamonds are found in kimberlite pipes where they have been transported and deposited from great depth.
How is diamond extracted from the ground?
Raw diamonds are mined from the earth around kimberlite pipes that erupt this material to the earth's surface.
Are most most diamonds formed inside kimberlite?
All diamonds are formed from carbon. Kimberlite and diamonds are both erupted to the earth's surface via volcanic pipes. Kimberlite is an indicator mineral, increasing odds for geologists that a volcanic pipe includes diamonds: not all pipes erupt diamonds with kimberlite. Kimberlite can be considered a 'neighbor' or 'kin' of diamond, but not a source.
African diamonds are contained in what?
All diamonds are erupted to the earth surface together with indicator minerals, including kimberlite. Other minerals are present in fertile kimberlite -- containing diamonds -- and absent in sterile kimberlite.
Why are diamonds found in kimberlite rock?
Apparently kimberlite pipes -- that can contain diamonds -- are volcanic formations that begin deep within the earth's mantle. Because diamonds and kimberlite -- and other semi-precious gems -- are formed in similar locations, some kimberlite rock contains diamonds. You can read more, below.
Where is kimberlite found?
Kimberlite is a rare, blue-tinged, coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock that often contains diamonds. Some kimberlite deposits have been found in Western Kenya.
Are most diamonds mined directly from Kimberlite?
Kimberlite is an indicator mineral, formed deep within the earth's mantle where diamonds are also formed. Often, they are found together, but not always. Kimberlite is not diamond: they are different minerals.
When diamonds are in the ground what is the rock around it?
Some diamonds may be included in kimberlite.
What is at least one thing in nature that contains diamonds?
Kimberlite can contain diamonds.
Why kimberlite might be found in diamonds?
Kimberlite is a volcanic rock that is commonly associated with the formation of diamonds. It is formed deep within the Earth's mantle and is brought to the surface through volcanic activity. Kimberlite magma is rich in carbon, which is necessary for diamond formation. As the magma rises to the surface, it cools and solidifies, capturing and preserving the diamonds that formed within it.
What is the name for igneous rock that contains diamonds?
kimberlite
Are kimberlite rocks used for human purpose?
Kimberlite is the main ore of diamonds, but otherwise has little use to humans.
What mineral do diamonds come from?
Diamonds are made from carbon, which is an element. They are made within "kimberlite" rock - I do not know if kimberlite is a mineral, or not. Sometimes, diamonds are washed out of kimberlite by the weather, and can be found in placer (PLASS-uhr) deposits, that is, at or near the surface of the ground. There are also diamonds found in meteorites that fell to Earth perhaps 3.5 billion years ago.
