Origin of large diamonds in kimberlite

Abstract

The evidence of the existence and fractionation of the global magmatic ocean on the Earth allows us to distinguish two stages of the formation of diamonds of increased size. The largest giant diamonds arose at an early stage of crystallization and fractionation of the peridotite layer of the magmatic ocean, since its bottom layer at that time was blocked by still hot upper ones and therefore cooled and crystallized very slowly and long. The mafic composition of this layer and the low viscosity of its magmas caused mainly octahedral cutting of the formed giant diamonds. Later crystallized mainly rhombododecahedral diamonds have increased coarseness due to the formation mainly by the growth of early octahedral crystals.