Did you know that most of the world’s diamonds come from kimberlite, a rare volcanic rock born more than 150 km deep in the Earth’s mantle? 💎🔥
When kimberlite erupts through volcanic pipes, it carries diamonds on an incredible billion-year journey to the surface.
Fun fact: The first kimberlites were described in 1837 near Ithaca, New York, but the name “kimberlite” came later (1887), inspired by diamond-rich rocks in Kimberley, South Africa.
🔬 Kimberlite mineral mix:
≥ 35% Olivine
Phlogopite mica
Chromium-rich garnet (pyrope)
Chrome-bearing diopside
Ilmenite, Serpentine & Calcite
💡 Kimberlite is ultrapotassic (K₂O/Al₂O₃ > 3) and MgO-rich (>12–15%). Its unique composition makes it the ultimate diamond elevator from the Earth’s depths!
So, next time you see a diamond, remember—it’s not just a gem, but a piece of Earth’s ancient history. 🌋💎
#Geoscience #Kimberlite #Diamonds #EarthHistory
