What is Kimberlite?

Kimberlite

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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

✔ ✘

99% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

92% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

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

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

What Is Flint

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▶

▼

Not Available

Rank: N/A (Overall)▶

▲

What Is Obsidian

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▶

175 (What Is Grani..)

◀ ▶ ADD ⊕

6.1.8 Cleavage

Conchoidal

6.1.9 Toughness

Not Available

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.86-2.87

6.1.11 Transparency

Translucent to Opaque

6.1.12 Density

2.95-2.96 g/cm³

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

What Is Banded ..

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▶

▼

0.92 kJ/Kg K

Rank: 10 (Overall)▶

▲

What Is Granulite

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▶

1.09 (What Is Trave..)

◀ ▶ ADD ⊕

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

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Learn more about Properties of Kimberlite

What is Kimberlite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Kimberlite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Kimberlite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Kimberlite is Not Available. Streak of Kimberlite is white while its cleavage is conchoidal. Luster of Kimberlite is subvitreous to dull and its fracture is conchoidal. Kimberlite is translucent to opaque in nature. Know all about Kimberlite, What is Kimberlite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Kimberlite

What is Kimberlite composed of? Get to know about composition of Kimberlite here. Kimberlite definition gives information about the Formation of Kimberlite and its composition.The composition of Kimberlite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Kimberlite rock includes Garnet, Olivine, Phlogopite, Pyroxene and The compound content of Kimberlite rock includes Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Kimberlite rock in next section.