Metasomatic Eclogitic Diamond Growth: Evidence from Multiple Diamond Inclusions

Abstract

Diamond formation from metasomatic fluids, rather than from igneous melts, remains controversial but is paramount to our understanding of diamonds' mantle origin(s). Physical and chemical properties of diamonds, their inclusions, and host eclogites from the Mir kimberlite, Yakutia, Russia form the basis for our evaluation of diamond origin. Mir eclogitic diamonds and their multiple inclusions show a definite break in time and temperature between the formation of the core zones and the rims of the diamonds. Extreme changes in chemistry for multiple diamond inclusions (DIs) between the cores and the rims cannot be accounted for by magmatic fractional crystallization. Evidence also exists for large temperature decreases (40° to 140°C) from the cores to the rims of some diamonds. The distinct changes in nitrogen contents and aggregation states from cores to rims of diamonds would appear to reflect different residence times for these portions of the diamonds in the mantle- i.e., formation of cores and rims at vastly different times (e.g., 2 Gy). Many of the mineral-chemical characteristics, including C and N isotopes and N aggregation states of the diamond, can best be explained by crystallization of the diamonds after formation of the eclogite host. This suggests that the formation of the eclogite and the nucleation and growth of some diamonds are not coeval and possibly not cogenetic. Most diamondiferous eclogite xenoliths probably have never experienced a major magmatic episode (i.e., complete melt stage) after subduction of their crustal protoliths into the mantle. Carbon isotopes in diamond, sulfur isotopes from sulfide DIs, and oxygen isotopes from eclogite minerals all point to crustal protoliths for many eclogites. All of the factors above, taken as a whole, indicate that many eclogitic diamonds are the result of petrogenesis by metasomatism over a prolonged period of time. Introduction of metasomatic fluids facilitates the precipitation of the diamonds, either in tolo or as rims on previously formed diamonds. Inasmuch as some eclogites are considered to be igneous in origine.g., Group-A eclogites of Taylor and Neal (1989)-it is entirely possible that these eclogites may contain truly igneous diamonds. However, even some of these diamonds may have later metasomatic overgrowths.