1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Kimberlite is a rare, blue-tinged, coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock, which sometimes contains diamonds and is mostly found in South Africa and Siberia.
A sedimentary rock, deposit of a submarine turbidity currents and are composed of layered particles
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Kimberley, South Africa
European Foreland Basins
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From Kimberley + -ite, from the name of the South African town of Kimberley where the rock was first found.
From Medieval Latin turbiditas, from Latin turbidus (turbid). Turbidity current is from 1939
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
1.6 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Porphyritic
Mud-rich, Sandy
2.2 Color
Black, Bluish - Grey, Brown, Dark Greenish - Grey, Green, Grey
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
Dull and Banded
Dull and Banded
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Gemstone, Metallurgical Flux, Production of Lime, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
4 Types
4.1 Types
Basaltic Kimberlites and Micaceous Kimberlites
Not Available
4.2 Features
Always found as volcanic pipes over deep continental crust, Host rock for Diamond, Is one of the oldest rock, Surfaces are often shiny
High silica content, Host Rock for Lead
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Kimberlite is an igneous rock and is the main source of diamonds. Its formation takes place deep beneath the Earth’s surface between 150 to 450 kilometres, and are erupted rapidly and violently.
Turbidite is a type of sedimentary rock formed when a river carries or transports pieces of broken rock as it flows. These particles then settle down and are subjected to high temperature and pressures hence forming Turbidite.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Garnet, Olivine, Phlogopite, Pyroxene
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Not Applicable
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine to Coarse Grained
Fine to Coarse Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
White
White, Greenish White or Grey
6.1.5 Porosity
Very Less Porous
Very Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Subvitreous to Dull
Metallic
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.95-2.96 g/cm31.6-2.5 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
7.1.2 Africa
Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa
Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
England, Hungary, Iceland, United Kingdom
Austria, Belarus, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador
Brazil, Colombia
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, South Australia, Western Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia