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.
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Kimberley, South Africa
1.2.2 Discoverer
Unknown
1.3 Etymology
From Kimberley + -ite, from the name of the South African town of Kimberley where the rock was first found.
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Volcanic
1.6 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Porphyritic
2.2 Color
Black, Bluish - Grey, Brown, Dark Greenish - Grey, Green, Grey
2.3 Maintenance
Less
2.4 Durability
Durable
2.4.1 Water Resistant
✔
✘
81% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
✔
✘
86% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
✔
✘
66% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
✔
✘
49% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
✔
✘
48% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.5 Appearance
Dull and Banded
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
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
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
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)
4 Types
4.1 Types
Basaltic Kimberlites and Micaceous Kimberlites
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
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
Not Used
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
Not Used
4.3.7 Figurines
Used
4.4 Fossils
Absent
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.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Garnet, Olivine, Phlogopite, Pyroxene
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
✔
✘
97% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
✔
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99% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
✔
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92% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
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5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6-7
Check 6-7 Range Rocks!
1
7
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine to Coarse Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal
6.1.4 Streak
White
6.1.5 Porosity
Very Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Subvitreous to Dull
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
Not Available
Rank: N/A (Overall) ▶
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Conchoidal
6.1.9 Toughness
Not Available
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
2.86-2.87
Check 2.86-2.87 Range Rocks!
0
8.4
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.95-2.96 g/cm3
Check 2.95-2.96 g/cm3 Range Rocks!
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K
Rank: 10 (Overall) ▶
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
Russia
7.1.2 Africa
Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa
7.1.3 Europe
England, Hungary, Iceland, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Antarctica
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, USA
7.2.2 South America
Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, South Australia, Western Australia