CLIPPIRs (Cullinan-like, large, inclusion-poor, pure, irregular, resorbed) are the rarest and most exceptional gem-quality diamonds, but their occurrence is reported in few kimberlites. In this study, the authors show, using olivine geochemistry as a proxy of the composition and depth of entrained mantle wall-rock, that CLIPPIRs are predominantly associated with Fe-rich kimberlites sampling vertically extensive, Fe-rich domains at the base of the lithosphere.
- Geoffrey H. Howarth
- Andrea Giuliani
- Jingao Liu