Olivine represents the main constituent (40–50 vol%) of carbonate-rich olivine lamproites (CROL) and their xenocrystic cores offer great potential for characterizing the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). We present electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data for olivine cores and rims from 11 on-craton CROL localities from the Kaapvaal craton. O...

It has been proposed that, rather than the lithosphere, cratonic lamproites may be derived from convecting mantle sources like those of kimberlites, but with extensive subsequent melt modification via melt-rock reaction with metasomatized, phlogopite-rich sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). Here we explore this model using samples from kimberlite (Camp Alpha) and olivine lamproite (Weasua) localities in Liberia, West A...

Olivine, the most abundant mineral in kimberlites, exhibits complex compositional zoning characterised by xenocrystic mantle-derived cores that are surrounded by numerous growth and equilibration zones. This review explores how olivine can be used to understand magma evolution, mantle sampling depths, and assess the diamond potential of kimberlites. Aluminium-in-olivine thermometry of xenocryst cores, calibrated against local...

The diamond potential of kimberlites is generally determined using indicator minerals (i.e., xenocrysts), entrained by the parent magma while ascending through the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). It is becoming increasingly apparent that olivine can also be used to understand mantle sampling depth, using the Al-in-olivine thermometer, and to constrain the extent of diamond-destructive metasomatism in the SCLM. To f...