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Olivine is the most abundant mineral in mantle peridotite and a typical inclusion in diamonds, providing essential evidence for the characterization of the diamondiferous lithospheric mantle. Three olivine inclusions in diamonds (OlDia) from Liaoning in the North China Craton (NCC) were exposed for in situ measurements, and the compositional data of 62 other OlDia from Liaoning were collected based on previous reports. The enrichment of TiO2 (>0.1 wt.%) with high Cr# (>50; Cr# = 100Cr/(Cr + Al) by atom) was revealed, despite the predominance of depleted TiO2 contents and high Mg# (92.8–93.2; Mg# =100Mg/(Mg + Fe) by atom) for OlDia. Silica fluid accompanying olivine still trapped in the host diamond was recognized using Raman spectroscopy. Three thermometers were applied to the OlDia, based on the data from Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and Electron Probe Micro-Analysis (EPMA), and a temperature range (TLA and TEPMA) of 1080–1380 °C was yielded. With respect to the TLA, Al-in-olivine thermometers were preferred, although there was a smaller deviation between TEPMA and TLA when using the Cr-in-olivine thermometer. The results of these thermometers show a high correlation with TEPMA, enabling their application based on EPMA data. Projections onto 39–42 mW/m2 model geotherms underline a diamondiferous base of the lithospheric mantle beneath the NCC. The lithospheric mantle is characterized by refractory and depleted sections, where enrichment metasomatism may have occurred at the lower roots (161–178 km). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many studies have been published on CVD diamond growth, but the reason for the irregular blue surface fluorescence of CVD diamond under ultra-deep UV radiation (i.e., under DiamondView) is still unclear. Here, a batch of as-grown and LPHT-annealed CVD synthetic diamond samples from a Chinese company in Zhejiang were analyzed for the various spectral (infrared (IR), UV–visible absorption, Raman, and photoluminescence (PL)) characteristics to explore the origin of surface blue fluorescence. The results show that the samples are nitrogen-doped type IIa CVD synthetic diamonds. Spectral peaks of the earlier CVD products, e.g., 3123 cm−1 (NVH0) (IR absorption spectrum) and 596/597 nm (PL emission spectrum), are absent in these samples, while the peaks at 736.5/736.8 nm (SiV−) in the UV or PL spectra are less common. PL spectra and DiamondView fluorescence indicate that the samples have generally strong luminescence peaks at 637 nm in the NV− center, 575 nm in the NV0 center, and other luminescence peaks caused by nitrogen-related defects. The as-grown samples observed under DiamondView show orange-red fluorescence accompanied by striations due to step-flow growth, and blue fluorescence appears as irregular threads or bundles on the surface. The LPHT-annealed sample shows weaker fluorescence with localized patches of green fluorescence contributed by weak H3 centers. The micro-IR spectra suggest that the unique blue fluorescence in the CVD diamond may be related to the dislocations caused by sp3-CH2 due to the incomplete dehydrogenation of hydrocarbon groups in the raw material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephrite is a very precious gemstone material. As a non-renewable resource, the discovery of new nephrite deposits and the study of the genesis of nephrite have aroused great interest. A new occurrence of nephrite known as Xinyu nephrite was discovered in Xinyu Country, Jiangxi province, China. Field investigations reveal that nephrite appears in a contact zone between the Mengshan composite granitic pluton and Permian carbonate rock. The carbonate rock is calcic marble that underwent diopsidization and tremolitization. Nephrites have a light yellow-green color, weak greasy luster, are slightly-translucent to translucent, and are fine-grained. Their refractive index (RI) ranges from 1.60 to 1.61, and their specific gravity (SG) value ranges from 2.90 to 2.91, falling within the range of nephrites from Xinjiang, China. Their Mohs hardness (Hm) ranges from 5.78 to 5.83. Petrographic observations and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) data indicated that analyzed nephrites mainly comprise tremolite, with minor diopside, calcite, quartz, and apatite. Tremolite has a ratio of Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) greater than 0.99. The tremolite grains show microscopic fibrous-felted and columnar textures. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show some tremolite fibers interwoven in different crystallographic orientations, and some arranged in parallel. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy features reveal the bands of minerals typical for nephrite composition. The petrographic characteristics and geological background of the Mengshan area indicate that nephrite formed through a replacement of calcic marble, which differs from the two known types (D-type: dolomite-related; S-type: serpentinite-related). Mineral replacements were common in nephrite, including diopside by tremolite, calcite by tremolite, and recrystallization of coarse by fine tremolite grains. The discovery of Xinyu nephrite occurrence complements the resource and provides an updated case for the in-depth study of the diversity of nephrite deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined geochemistry and geochronology of the Myanmar jadeitite were determined. Bulk-rock trace element compositions display U-shaped REE patterns with pronounced positive Eu anomalies. The total REE abundances are very low, less than half chondritic, and the high field strength elements and some large ion lithophile elements are moderately enriched. These features indicate a metasomatic origin. There are three groups of zircons with different interior characteristics, cathodoluminescence, mineral inclusions, chemical compositions and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U-Pb ages. Group-I zircons, with a mean age of 163.2 [+ or -] 3.3 Ma, mostly have distinct oscillatory zoning, highest U and Th contents, and Na-free, Mg-rich mineral inclusions, and thus indicate an igneous (formation of oceanic crust) or hydrothermal (serpentinization and/or rodingitization) event in the Middle Jurassic. Group-II zircons, with a mean age of 146.5 [+ or -] 3.4 Ma, have bright luminescence without oscillatory zoning and include jadeite and jadeitic pyroxene inclusions, suggesting that formation of the Myanmar jadeitites, as well as subduction of the eastern Indian oceanic plate, occurred in the Late Jurassic. Group-III zircons have an age of 122.2 [+ or -] 4.8 Ma, which represents a later unknown thermal event. Discovery of the Middle Jurassic zircons provides geochronological constraint on the tectonic evolution of the eastern Indo-Burman Range.