Cuboctahedral type Ib diamonds in ophiolitic chromitites and peridotites: the evidence for anthropogenic contamination

ABSTRACT

Here we present trace element compositions of synthetic diamonds, which show spectacular similarity with the compositions of metallic inclusions in type Ib cuboctahedral diamonds in ophiolitic chromitites and peridotites. The compositions of inclusions in synthetic and ophiolite diamonds closely correspond to Ni:Mn:Co = 70:25:5 in wt.%, which is the most widely used catalyst for HPHT growth of synthetic diamonds in China. Thus, we claim for thorough reconsideration of diamonds in ophiolitic rocks and emphasize that most of them appear by anthropogenic contamination.

KEYWORDS:

• Diamond
• chromitite
• peridotite
• high pressure
• HPHT synthesis

Acknowledgements

The work is performed under the state assignment of IGM SB RAS.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science under grant number S18109 to KL.