On the origin of large type IIa gem diamonds

Abstract

The processes of formation of some diamond types still raise contentious issues, mainly on the origin of the largest diamond crystals recovered from kimberlites. These diamonds constitute less than 2% of worldwide resources and correspond to rare type IIa. They possess some peculiar features: (i) silicate and oxide inclusions are extremely rare, (ii) their δ13C ranges from −17 to −21‰. The detailed estimation of the Premier pressure-temperature-oxygen fugacity parameters and the physic-chemical modeling of diamond growth-dissolution processes suggest that extra-large diamonds have multiple origins. Their formation may occur from lower mantle to crustal depths. Their main building-up takes place from fluids in the pegmatitic veins solidified along the contacts of kimberlite magma at a crustal depth. The model explains the main features of the largest kimberlitic diamonds, i.e. their great sizes, light δ13C signatures, low nitrogen contents, high degree of resorption, absence of mantle-derived mineral inclusions and their occurrence in the form of rare isolated crystals in the host kimberlite.