The Story of Kimberlite Gemstones

Kimberlite

Source: World-wide. Found on virtually every continent in the world.

Chemical: Mostly olivine/pyroxene.

Crystal System: None

Formation: Found in pipes where ancient volcanoes have erupted and been worn down to ground level. South African diamond bearing kimberlite pipes are black. While the blue-ground and yellow-ground kimberlite can be found in other locations. Such as the blue-ground example shown in the photo above from the Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murphreesboro, Arkansas.

Properties: Contains many gemstones in addition to diamonds. These include garnet, rutile, calcite, peridot, and others.

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1.39ct rough diamond octahedron on blue-ground kimberlite