Kimberlite pipe models: significance for exploration

Kimberlite bodies typically form from multiple intrusive and/or extrusive events; these discrete events are recognizable as distinctive kimberlite phases. Differing textures, mineralogy, geochemistry and geophysical properties, and diamond grades, size populations and values characterize the individual phases. The recognition that there is a wide variation in the size and morphology of economically viable kimberlites strongly affects how to explore for, and sample diamonds from these bodies.