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Kyanite eclogites from the Rietfontein kimberlite pipe, mier coloured reserve, Gordonia, Cape Province, South Africa

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Abstract

The kimberlite pipe at Rietfontein has been found to contain a suite of ultrabasic xenoliths, amongst which are kyanite eclogites of unusual freshness. The kyanite crystals are of varying shades of blue. Physical properties of some of the primary minerals together with the chemical composition of four kyanite eclogites and of a light and a dark blue kyanite crystal are presented.

The xenoliths found in the Rietfontein Pipe are compared with those found in the Zagadochnaya Pipe and certain similarities and differences noted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geochemistry Department, University of Cape Town, South Africa

    J. J. Gurney

  2. Geology Department, University of Cape Town, South Africa

    M. Mathias

  3. Geology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

    C. Siebert

  4. Mineral Services, P. O. Box 5, Cape Town

    G. Moseley

Authors
  1. J. J. Gurney
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  2. M. Mathias
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  3. C. Siebert
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  4. G. Moseley
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Gurney, J.J., Mathias, M., Siebert, C. et al. Kyanite eclogites from the Rietfontein kimberlite pipe, mier coloured reserve, Gordonia, Cape Province, South Africa. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 30, 46–52 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373367

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373367

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