1. Placer diamonds from Brazil: indicators of the composition of the Earth's mantle and the distance to their kimberlitic sources.
- Author
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Tappert R., Brey G.P., Harris J.W., Muehlenbachs K., Stachel T., Tappert R., Brey G.P., Harris J.W., Muehlenbachs K., and Stachel T.
- Abstract
Comparison of 68 alluvial diamonds from three placer deposits in Brazil (Arenapolis, Mato Grosso, Boa Vista, Roraima, and Canastra, Minas Gerais) showed that they had similar crystal shapes, body colours and growth or resorption surface texture development. The concentrations and aggregation states of nitrogen impurities and their carbon isotope compositions were also similar. The diamonds from Boa Vista had a higher proportion with radiation spots compared with the other deposits. The majority of the diamonds from Arenapolis (70%) exhibited transport- related abrasion textures while those from Boa Vista and Canastra were characterised by the absence or a low occurrence (below 15%) of such textures, indicating that these diamonds are derived from nearby kimberlitic sources. The composition of the mineral inclusions was similar for diamonds from all three deposits. The diamonds formed in a strong to moderately depleted peridotitic mantle, with only minor involvement of eclogitic sources., Comparison of 68 alluvial diamonds from three placer deposits in Brazil (Arenapolis, Mato Grosso, Boa Vista, Roraima, and Canastra, Minas Gerais) showed that they had similar crystal shapes, body colours and growth or resorption surface texture development. The concentrations and aggregation states of nitrogen impurities and their carbon isotope compositions were also similar. The diamonds from Boa Vista had a higher proportion with radiation spots compared with the other deposits. The majority of the diamonds from Arenapolis (70%) exhibited transport- related abrasion textures while those from Boa Vista and Canastra were characterised by the absence or a low occurrence (below 15%) of such textures, indicating that these diamonds are derived from nearby kimberlitic sources. The composition of the mineral inclusions was similar for diamonds from all three deposits. The diamonds formed in a strong to moderately depleted peridotitic mantle, with only minor involvement of eclogitic sources.