The morphology and nature of primary diamondiferous occurrences

Makhtesh Ramon Complex Deposit (Southern Israel) – A Window to the Upper Mantle

“…As admixtures, Mg, Al and Cr (it is possible that the elements are involved to microphases), and calcium (from calcite), were detected. Detected phase 'calcium-titan' from perovskite is also well known in kimberlites (Haggerty, 1995;McClenahgan et al, 2000;Nixon, 1995). Such revealed admixtures as cobalt, nickel and natural ferrum (reflecting to the ultrabasic consistency of magma) are also typical for kimberlites.…”

“…Comparatively large depth to the Moho discontinuity in the Makhtesh Ramon area (34 km) ( Finally, last positive regional geophysical indicator is comparatively low depth of the crystalline basement occurrence (Morgan, 1995;Nixon, 1995). In the Makhtesh Ramon area the depth of crystalline basement, according to Rybakov and Segev (2004), consists of 3.3-3.5 km.…”

“…Picroilmenite is a well-known high-pressure mineral of kimberlites (Haggerty, 1995;Nixon, 1995;Kharkiv, 1997). Elements composed the mineral grating are presented by titan, ferrum and oxygen.…”

“…Pyrope is one of the most important minerals-indicators of diamond association (both for kimberlites and lamproites) (Mitchell, 1986;Nixon, 1995;Kharkiv et al, 1997). Studied grains have characterized by light crimson and red color with lilac tint.…”

“…Pyroxenes are essential components of kimberlites together with the products of alterations of ultrabasic and basic rocks. The majority of the known diamondiferous associations contain these minerals (Bulanova, 1995 Chromediopside is the well-known mineral involving to the diamond association (Mitchell, 1986(Mitchell, ,1995McClenahgan et al, 2000;Nixon, 1995). An important pecularity of this mineral is that it is not stable by alluvial transportation and hypergene weathering (Marshall and Baxter-Brown, 1995;Mitchell, 1995;Kharkiv et al, 1997).…”