Kimberlite pipes Options

[Musk_Rat]

Another one of the back close up.

Attached image(s)

 

[Diamond Digger]

Hi MR,
Looks like you have some form of Garnet in that one specimen however its very unlikely to be Pyrope garnets as they are only formed inside Kimberlite.
The other rocks looks interesting, not something I have seen before.
And yes haha don't bother looking for anything else if you are looking for kimberlite. There are a few in Colorado but the diamond bearing ones are all tied up and off limits to everyone.
However if you are keen you can look in this area 39° 4'34.29"N 105°16'33.17"W in CO there is rumoured to be a diamond bearing pipe there in the area... You have samples of what to look for go get it!
Very good luck, lots of water and food off the 51.
Have fun
DD

[Musk_Rat]

DD,
Thanks for the input. Colorado School of Mines holds "office hours" periodically for the public where you can bring in samples for a geologist to look at and help id. I may try that, but from my own research, the only thing I can come up with is that it's an eclogite nodule.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclogite

How it got to where I found it is probably up for debate. Definitely going to poke around more in that area. I know that all the "KNOWN" worthwhile kimberlite has been claimed up in the area and/or is behind miles of litigation, private land, and barbed wire. However I know this beautiful women that lives up there and has been milling kimberlite for millions of years, but I just need to figure out where she sorted it all to...

Thanks for the coordinates! I am very keen! Some close family lives not to far from there, so now I have an excuse to visit and an excuse to leave!

Did some poking around on aerial photography and on macrostrat.org [(if you haven't seen this website you really should). It's a geological map of the whole world. The map is only as good as the source data so I imagine it's more accurate and useful in some areas than others. It can be tough to navigate and find your area of interest, but once you do... ]

From what I can see from the air, there's promise in the area (and unclaimed areas from preliminary checks)! Thanks again DD!

[Musk_Rat]

So I've done some more research just about rocks that carry garnets and I think the one specimen might be Garnet Blueschist. Very cool and I'll take into consideration any other input. From what I read it is very similar to eclogite but is found less deep in the mantle. However similar to other Kimberlite xenoliths if it isn't exhumed quickly the minerals will be altered on their way to the surface.

https://www.alexstrekeisen.it/english/meta/blueschist.php

[Diamond Digger]

Musk Rat,

Kimberlite is a very peculiar rock once exposed to oxygen for a few million years it changes from hard rock to a yellowish sand like structure very similar to sandstone in colour. (weathering)... hence the term yellow ground. It will react with oxygen and the slightest water movement will wash the material down any close-by gully's ditches rivers etc... now the name changes to Alluvial material and this material can travel for hundreds of miles downriver.... Many of these ancient deposits are mined in SA and around the world.
So Kimberlite weathers when oxygen is introduced..... it releases the Pyrope garnets G-10, Chromium Diopside diamonds Spinel etc etc.... all these are called diamond indicators.
But Kimberlite comes to the surface from 150km down in the Earth.... as a big hot lava flow and collects quite a few different rocks on the way up. So you will find strange rocks in it nothing out of the ordinary.
Good luck with your hunt.
DD
PS there are lots of different garnets.... but only One counts!!

[Musk_Rat]

Yeah DD the more I research this is a cool rock and they're garnets, but like you said not the ones that count. Looks like more digging and more miles...Thanks again DD. Now if the snow would only stop falling.

[Diamond Digger]

Snow? LOL Diamond miners are made of sterner stuff..... Road to work!



Build in cooler box!




Cleaning the windscreen a light snow dusting.... GMF




As you can see we don't care much about a little bit of ice....The only good ice is them ones you can put in Whiskey
The rest one ignores!
Get out there and do the thing! lol
DD

[Musk_Rat]

Love the pics! Too good! I think it's safe to say you're much further along in the process than me, but just as crazy lol! I'm just getting on the scent. It's funny because I've been wondering if you are in SA or the states and that answers that question. I was out and panning/sampling just last week after work.

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

[Diamond Digger]

A little bit of cold weather just refresh a tired body!
Couch riding prospectors never get rich....

A few pictures to get you out there never mind the snow!








Alrosa 235 ct

Enjoy, have fun out there!
DD

[Musk_Rat]

Diamond Digger,
You should be a motivational speaker! Those are incredible!

[Diamond Digger]

Musk Rat,
Do not forget to take pictures of the area and stones that you find at the co-ordinates, we are waiting anxiously for your picture report here.
And make sure there is still snow on the ground....
Your Key is to find Chromium Diopside crystals, once you do you know you are .75 miles or less from the pipe.
Anthills are a good place to search for CR and G-10... you will not find small diamonds in any anthill, their little paws just cannot pick a diamond up since they are all covered with a natural oily layer...
Very good luck!
DD

If you find it Claim it get the permits in order and I will bring the gear.
DD

[Musk_Rat]

DD,
A couple spots will have to wait until spring thaw because they're locked under ice(more now than ever after this polar weather). I'm also anxious to head up to that other area I alluded to, but it's a good trek in even for the highly motivated. I'll be headed West and back on the trail asap. (My wife and I just welcomed our first child 3 weeks ago, but she knows I can't stay out of the hills long) There will no doubt be plenty of snow still and if I'm lucky some ice. I'm no geologist and I don't want to get your hopes up though. I know I'm on the right track, but how close to the finish line?

[Diamond Digger]

MR
Congratulations on the Kiddo!

One only have hope once one is in the field looking for the tell tale sign that gets your blood pumping with a question.... "What If?"
That is the good feeling when it turns out to be the indicators that you suffered snow Ice and bad winds to find.... Makes the hart warm.
Good luck

Hope you get some sleep!
DD

[Diamond Digger]

MR
As for South Africa... you would not recognise it... turned into a war zone.... Last night I heard gunshots in Newlands! A posh area!
I am here to buy more equipment. This whole country is doomed... crime is rampant.
DD

[Musk_Rat]

DD,
Travel safe my man! So sad to hear about SA... Luckily my friends live and work out in the bush, so are more worried about things with teeth lol. It's just probably starting to get cool down there and mean while we're in for a weekend of nice weather(I did go up last weekend, but mostly to prescout and stretch my legs), so I'll be strapping on the ol boots and heading West. Hopefully I'll have something good to report or at least know a little bit more than I do now.

Drink a black label for me!

MuskRat