Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Diamonds in the Kamchatka peninsula (Tolbachik and Avacha volcanoes) : Natural origin or contamination? / Pokhilenko, N. P.; Shumilova, T. G.; Afanas’ev, V. P. et al.
In: Russian Geology and Geophysics, Vol. 60, No. 5, 05.2019, p. 463-472.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Diamonds in the Kamchatka peninsula (Tolbachik and Avacha volcanoes)
T2 - Natural origin or contamination?
AU - Pokhilenko, N. P.
AU - Shumilova, T. G.
AU - Afanas’ev, V. P.
AU - Litasov, K. D.
PY - 2019/5
Y1 - 2019/5
N2 - Lavas of the Kamchatka volcanoes store cubic-octahedral diamonds identical in morphology and structure to synthetic crystals, and their natural origin is doubted. Judging by published data, the diamonds discovered in the Tolbachik lavas are similar to synthetic diamonds made by different producers, and the analyzed samples rather result from contamination with synthetic material. Ophiolite-hosted diamonds reported from Europe, China, Mongolia, and Polar Urals look like the Tolbachik diamonds and are of the same type. The similarity between crystals coming from geologically dissimilar objects indicates that contamination may occur in those cases as well. Thus, diamonds found in unusual hosts or geologic settings require careful checking. These findings have to be reproduced repeatedly in other in situ samples and approved by independent experts; with all respect to the priority of the first finders, the sampling sites should be open to many researchers, especially the respective specialists. The inevitable disproval of false diamond findings is discouraging and discredits the true discoveries. Possible contamination with synthetic or natural material from cutting tools has to be excluded in all newly found diamonds before claiming their natural origin.
AB - Lavas of the Kamchatka volcanoes store cubic-octahedral diamonds identical in morphology and structure to synthetic crystals, and their natural origin is doubted. Judging by published data, the diamonds discovered in the Tolbachik lavas are similar to synthetic diamonds made by different producers, and the analyzed samples rather result from contamination with synthetic material. Ophiolite-hosted diamonds reported from Europe, China, Mongolia, and Polar Urals look like the Tolbachik diamonds and are of the same type. The similarity between crystals coming from geologically dissimilar objects indicates that contamination may occur in those cases as well. Thus, diamonds found in unusual hosts or geologic settings require careful checking. These findings have to be reproduced repeatedly in other in situ samples and approved by independent experts; with all respect to the priority of the first finders, the sampling sites should be open to many researchers, especially the respective specialists. The inevitable disproval of false diamond findings is discouraging and discredits the true discoveries. Possible contamination with synthetic or natural material from cutting tools has to be excluded in all newly found diamonds before claiming their natural origin.
KW - Carbonado
KW - Contamination
KW - Natural diamond
KW - Ophiolite
KW - Synthetic diamond
KW - Volcano
KW - synthetic diamond
KW - MINERALS
KW - carbonado
KW - LUOBUSA OPHIOLITE
KW - ophiolite
KW - natural diamond
KW - PERIDOTITE
KW - PIPE
KW - contamination
KW - CHROMITITES
KW - RAY-IZ OPHIOLITE
KW - volcano
KW - SUTURE ZONE
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064972114&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.15372/RGG2019024
DO - 10.15372/RGG2019024
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064972114
VL - 60
SP - 463
EP - 472
JO - Russian Geology and Geophysics
JF - Russian Geology and Geophysics
SN - 1068-7971
IS - 5
ER -
ID: 20041288