DIAMONDIFEROUS XENOLITHS AND MEGACRYSTS FROM THE NYURBINSKAYA KIMBERLITE PIPE (NAKYNSKY FIELD, YAKUTIA)

Abstract

Paragenetic associations with diamond in kimberlites can be subdivided into three main types: (1) inclusions of various minerals in diamond crystals, (2) mineral intergrowths with diamonds, and (3) xenoliths of diamondiferous mantle rocks. These types are found in different proportions in all the kimberlite pipes with commercial diamond contents. Such rocks have always attracted attention of researchers, since they bear the most reliable information on natural formation environments of diamonds and their peculiarities, i.e., petrological features of the upper mantle in the region.