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Analyst, May 199.5, Vol. 120
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1357
Analysis of Diamonds and Indicator Minerals
for Diamond Exploration by Laser Ablation-
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass
Spectrometry*
R. John Watling, Hugh K. Herbert, Ian S. Barrow and Allen G. Thomas
Chemistry Centre ( W A ) , 125 Hay Street, East Perth, Western Australia 6004
A method has been developed, using laser ablation-
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-
MS), for the semiquantitative determination of 43 elements
in diamonds, chromites and garnets. Samples of diamonds
from five countries have been analysed and the
interrelationship between the trace elements gives distinctive
patterns for each source. The data indicate that this
technique could form the basis of a provenance identification
protocol for diamonds. This would produce an analytical
technique to assist police forces in tracing the origin of stolen
material. LA-ICP-MS can also be used to establish the trace
element distribution in indicator minerals for diamond
exploration, such as garnets and chromites. Of particular
significance in this data set in the comparison of the relative
distributions of the rare earth elements, tantalum and
hafnium, which indicates a consistent inter-element
relationship for garnets associated with diamondiferous
kimberlites. This relationship is considerably different from
that found in garnets obtained from non-diamondiferous and
other sources. Application of the principle of trace element
partitioning pattern recognition to chromites has indicated
the potential of the technique to identify also a kimberlitic or
non-kimberlitic provenance for this mineral. The data
presented here are the result of preliminary investigations. A
more detailed study is currently being undertaken and will
be the subject of future papers.
Keywords: Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry; diamond; indicator mineral
Introduction
The illegal appropriation of diamonds at all points in their
production from source mine to final product nets a significant
income for all those involved. Once on the ‘open market’
diamonds are notoriously difficult to source and their small
size, easy transportability and large value make them a superb
international Black Market currency. Attempts to ‘finger-
print’ diamonds have, thus far, met with limited success.
However, the use of laser ablation-inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to obtain element
compositional data for diamonds heralds a new age in the
search for an analytical technique that can establish the
provenance of recovered stones.
Although LA-ICP-MS has the potential to provide quanti-
tative data, this necessitates the use of accurately calibrated
standards, a situation that is difficult to achieve in this instance
as certified standards for diamonds would be extremely
difficult to produce and of course none exist at this stage.
* Presented at Geoanalysis 94: An International Symposium on the Analysis o f
Geological and Environmental Materials, Amhleside, England, September 18-
22, 1994.
However, the analytical method employed in this study
requires only that instrument response functions and lasing
conditions are as near identical as possible from sample to
sample and from day to day because trace element associa-
tions, rather than element concentrations, are the basis of the
interpretative protcol applied to the data.
The classification of garnets, into groups indicative of the
provenance of the mineral, has been used successfully to
identify the diamondiferous potential of the host rock.1.2
Analyses, associated with this exercise, have centred on
quantification of the partitioning of nickel between chrome-
pyrope and olivine, the so-called ‘nickel thermometer’ effect.
This methodology, based on proton microprobe analysis,3
accurately identifies whether the garnet under investigation is
formed in the so-called ‘diamond window’4.5 of the Earth’s
mantle and hence whether the kimberlite or lamproite that is
being assessed has a significant potential for diamond produc-
tion.
Initial research, using LA-ICP-MS, was undertaken to
assess the potential of the technique to produce quantitative
data for comparison with proton microprobe results for
garnets. However, while the data obtained for selected
elements using both techniques compared favourably, and will
be the subject of a future paper, it was also possible to obtain
data for a wide selection of other analyte elements and thereby
identify trace element distribution patterns that appeared to
correlate with the diamondiferous potential of the host rock. It
is these data that have the potential of being used to establish a
novel method of geochemical exploration for diamondiferous
rocks. The same approach was applied to chromites from a
known kimberlitic and non-kimberlitic environment. Here
again, trace element distribution patterns, especially for the
rare earth elements (REEs), indicated the potential of the
‘fingerprint’ concept to identify the provenance of the
material.
In additional to its obvious potential for use in diamond
exploration, LA-ICP-MS has considerable additional poten-
tial as a means of identifying the primary or secondary nature
and metamorphic history of garnets and chromites and their
host rocks. As the use of LA-ICP-MS becomes more
widespread, and the analysis of discrete mineral grains
becomes more practical,6-*3it is possible that the elemental
associations and the recognition of inter-element association
patterns, such as those described in this paper, will feature
more significantly in geochemical exploration initiatives.
Experimental
Sample Preparation
Sample preparation for this type of analysis can be as simple or
as complex as the analyst requires. I n general, provided that
the sample fits directly inside the laser cell and is no more than
5 mm above the sample stage, analysis can be performed

1358 Analyst, May 1995, Vol. 120
directly on the original material with very little preparation. It
must be remembered, however, that laser ablation of original
material can result in the incorporation of surface debris,
derived from the host material or a variety of other
anthropogenic sources. Analytical data will be compromised if
this occurs. Accordingly, unpolished garnets and chromites
are pre-cleaned by heating in concentrated hydrochloric acid
for 10 min, washing in de-ionized water and acetone and
drying at 60 "C prior to ablation. Diamonds are cleaned by
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heating in a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric and
+
hydrofluoric acids (1 1) for 1 h at 120 "C, washing in water
and acetone and also drying at 60 "C prior to lasing.
Obviously, if the sample is pre-cut or is in the form of a
polished mount this type of cleaning is both impractical and
unnecessary. Unpolished material is mounted directly on
plastic blocks using cyanoacrylate glue, with up to 25 samples
being mounted in an appropriate array on the same block.
These samples can also be mounted in small holes in the plastic
block which are then backfilled with quick-setting plastic. The
mount is then polished to expose the surfaces of the samples.
Samples prepared in this way are suitable for additional
investigation using scanning electron microscopic energy
dispersive X-ray analysis and/or electron microprobe analysis.
In most instances, it is difficult to prepare polished mounts of
diamonds and consequently they are usually analysed after
surface-mounting on the plastic blocks.
Instrumentation
A VG Turbo Plus inductively coupled plasma mass spec-
trometer fitted with an 's'-Option sensitivity upgrade and fine
focus LaserProbe accessory were used for the experimental
work. The LaserProbe is built around a 500 mJ pulsed
Nd :YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm. The
fine focus optics facilitate the production of laser craters of less
than 30 pm in the free running mode and less than 100 pm in
the Q-switched mode for the sample matrices analysed.
Laser Optimization
The use of LA-ICP-MS could imply a degradation in precision
of results, when compared with equivalent solution ICP-MS
data, simply because of variations in volatilized sample mass
between samples. This would be of serious concern if the use
of the trace element partitioning pattern protocol required the
production of quantitative data. The concepts associated with
interpretation of data produced under this experimental
protocol have already been described in detail14 and rely on
the presence, association or lack of association, of specific
suites of analyte elements. Consequently, quantitative data
are not as important as they are in more conventional
analytical methodologies.
Establishment of the optimum laser ablation conditions, for
all mineral types analysed, is undertaken using the same
general experimental matrix. Significant variation in the
characteristics of the physical matrix exists between samples of
the same mineral. Variations in colour, surface texture and
sample orientation with respect to crystal planes all facilitate
variability in laser coupling. 15 Hence, the amount of material
ablated will vary from sample to sample and, therefore, the
apparent analyte concentration will also vary. Consequently,
it is again stressed that quantitative analysis, using the present
laser configuration, is not practical at this time but is also not
required for data interpretation because the association of
elements, and not their actual concentrations, is used to
establish the element distribution pattern.
It has already been established that there can be selective
volatilization of elements from given matrices. 13716 Therefore,
at this preliminary stage of analytical method development,
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the use of an internal standard is neither advocated nor, in our
opinion, necessary. Nevertheless, it is necessary to establish
an optimum compromise series of parameters for laser
ablation for each sample type to ensure that a robust
comparison mechanism is achieved for different samples of
the same mineral.
The two variables of major significance, which were chosen
for this in.vestigation, were laser power and repetition rate of
laser shots. Preliminary studies indicated that analysis of
garnets and chromites would be undertaken using a free
running lasing mode, whereas analysis of diamonds would be
undertaken using Q-switched lasing conditions. Whenever
possible the free running lasing mode was used as it facilitated
the development of the smallest craters. This was possible for
both garnets and chromites; however, while it was possible to
couple a free running laser pulse to dark, inclusion-rich
diamonds, it was impossible to couple to clear diamonds.
Consequently, in order to ensure uniformity of analytical
conditions, all diamonds were analysed using a Q-switched
laser.
Diamonds
For the analysis of diamonds, three sites on the surface of the
in-house reference samples were pre-ablated, in Q-switched
mode, for 15 s at 750 V laser power and a frequency of 6 Hz.
The coordinates of each ablated area were recorded by
computer in order that the sites could be re-located and
ablated when establishing the final lasing conditions.
Although the period of pre-ablation is not as long as
traditionally accepted to ensure a steady-state signal, the
concept of pre-ablation in this experimental protocol was not
simply to establish uniform analyte release conditions, but
more importantly to clean the surface of any attached or
incorporated extraneous material. In this way it was possible
to ensure that element association patterns resulted from the
ablation of matrix rather than from incorporated material.
Laser power was varied between 500 and 750 V and shot
frequency between 1 and 10 Hz.
Garnets and Chromites
In order to determine the optimum lasing conditions for the
analysis of garnets and chromites, laser power was varied
between 600 and 1000 V and repetition rate between one and
five shots s-l for 1s ablation at each specific site. A total of 10
sites, across the surface of each sample, was used for each
experiment. The samples were not pre-ablated prior to
analysis.
The study was repeated on six separate occasions and results
were averaged to produce response intensities for each
analyte. The response characteristics of 45 analytes were
investigated. The experimental matrix, designed to establish
the optimum set of analytical conditions, was essentially
similar to that established for previous investigations into gold
fingerprinting.*5 Results indicate a trend in the analyte
response under the different conditions that is essentially
related to the melting and boiling characteristics of the
compounds of the individual analyte elements and the
selective partitioning of these elements between vapour, melt
and solid phases present during the ablation event.13 When
establishing the optimum compromise set of ablation par-
ameters, it is necessary to ensure that variations in response
between two sets of experimental conditions are as small as
possible. This increases the robustness of the method and
ensures that variations in the trace element partitioning
patterns are minimal when the analysis is undertaken on
different instruments or on different days.
Spot size should be as small as possible, while still providing
sufficient material for analysis. In this way small samples can

be ablated under the same conditions as large samples,
thereby maintaining the relevance of intercomparison of the
fingerprint. Lower laser power and reduced shot numbers are
to be preferred as this significantly reduces cross-contamina-
tion and memory effects.
Ablation conditions were established for the three sample
types as follows:
Diamonds: Q-switched mode; 625 V and 6 Hz
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Garnets: free-running mode; 750 V with a double pulse at
each site
Chromites: free-running mode; 700 V with a single pulse at
each site
Where possible, samples should be ablated at a number of
sites per sample. However, it may only be possible to use one
site when dealing with very small samples. Acquisition time
for each mass spectrum is usually set at a minimum of 100 s. In
this way it is possible to use the multichannel analyser to watch
the fingerprint accumulate and reject data that have resulted
from ablation of inclusions. This is evidenced by sudden
increases in analyte response. A long potential acquisition
time also allows the analyst to move the sample and ablate
different spots, thereby ensuring better precision and provid-
ing a more intense spectrum for comparison.
Optimization of Long-term Data Intercomparability
The instrument operating parameters were optimized using
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
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Fig. 1 Mass spectral element profiles of diamonds from five deposits. ( a ) Russia (R); ( h ) Australia (A); (c) Zaire ( Z ) ; ( d ) China (C);
( e ) South Africa (SA), and (f> composite average for each deposit.
View Article Online
Analyst, M a y 1995, Vol. 120 1359
Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) NIST SRM 610, 612
and 614 glass standards. The choice of this material (and not
one of the actual experimental matrices) is based on the
premise that experimental optimization for this type of
analysis requires only the production of a reproducible set of
analytical and instrumental conditions which can be re-establi-
shed on a daily basis. To this end, the use of a reference
material, rather than an inhomogeneous sample matrix, was
preferred. The fact that glass and the minerals under study are
'similar' matrices is an advantage. The use of NIST SRM
glasses has proved to be robust and convenient and facilitates
reproducible instrument optimization.
Once optimization had been achieved, in-house reference
samples (three diamonds, four garnets and three chromites)
were used where appropriate to ensure data intercomparabil-
ity on a daily basis and to provide a cross-reference
comparison with previously obtained data. The data thus
produced facilitated maintenance of long-term quality control
and ensured intercomparability of fingerprint data. Because
the technique was not designed to provide quantitative data, it
was only necessary to confirm comparability of the element
associations within the sample with data from previous
analyses of the same sample prior to undertaking the analysis
of a new series of samples. This cross-calibration procedure
usually required about 1 h to complete.
Results and Discussion
l::::p
Diamonds
Obviously, only a limited number of samples (six from each
deposit) have been analysed at this point in the research
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 View Article Online

1360 Analyst, May 199.5, Vol. 120

programme as uncut diamonds are extremely expensive and
difficult to obtain from international producers. However, it is
anticipated that, once the potential of the technique is fully
recognized, international producers will be more co-operative
in supplying diamonds and the problems associated with
obtaining a significant number of stones from each deposit,
with which to establish a robust methodology, will be
overcome.
The mass spectral elemental profiles of diamonds from the
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average data are compared directly. Of particular note are
differences in the relative abundances of copper, zinc,
yttrium, zirconium, tungsten, lead and thorium as well as
within the KEE assemblage. In order to demonstrate these
differences more effectively, conventional ternary diagrams
were constructed. Because ternary variation diagrams use
ratio percentages, the plots do not require data to be
quantitative, only reproducible. They provide a means of
comparing the relationship between individual sets of data.

five deposits so far investigated are shown in Fig. l(a)-(e). The Consequently, they are ideally suited to interpreting the type
ordinate scale is an indication of the abundance of the analyte of data produced using LA-ICP-MS under the experimental
isotope being measured. No attempt has been made to relate protocol described in this paper.
isotopic abundance to elemental abundance as the concept of Selected ternary plots are presented in Fig. 2 ( a ) - o .
inter-element association patterns relies on relative abun- Although there is some spread in the data points within a
dances of analytes and not on their concentrations. Conse- deposit, each deposit forms a relatively coherent cluster of
quently, provided that the same isotope of an element is points that are essentially isolated from those of a different
compared between profiles, and as there are no interfering deposit. It must be remembered that these data are of a
isobaric overlaps, spectral comparisons are readily facilitated. preliminary nature and further refining of the technique will
The reproducibility of the spectral pattern within a deposit is
evident in all profiles. This suggests a common origin for the
2000
analysed diamonds from each deposit. This is obviously of
fundamental importance as, if significant variations in element 1800
profile did occur, the potential of the technique to establish a 1600
definitive provenance of diamonds would be severely
1400
degraded.
Although the over-all elemental distribution pattern for 1200
each of these deposits appears, at first sight, to be similar, 1000
significant differences do occur between them. The signifi-
800
cance of these variations is illustrated in Fig. 1 0 where
600

400

200

0
60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220
2000

1800

1600

1400

g! 1200
Ga Zr Ba Mo.10 3
8 1000
w.102 Rb.10 s
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600

400

200

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220

2000

1800

Rb Zr.10 w.10~ Pb 1600

Sn. 10 1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

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U
Fig. 2 Sclcctcd ternary distribution diagrams for clcmcnt associa-
tions in diamonds from fivc deposits: A , Australia; 0 . South Africa; Fig. 3 Mass spectra of three garnets dcrivcd from diamondifcrous
0, China; 0, Zairc; and a, Russia. host rocks.
 View Article Online

Analyst, May 1995, Vol. 120 1361

undoubtedly lead to closer associations of points. To date, it Garnets

has not been possible to find a suitable element with which to
normalize data internally. Consequently, only uncorrected
raw data are plotted. This means that differences in element
release, caused by variation in ablation conditions between
samples, remain uncorrected.
From the data shown in Fig. 2(u)-(f), it is clear that tungsten
is a major discriminatory element for the Russian deposit,
whereas lead, molybdenum and rubidium are the predomi-
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A series of 11 garnets from two diamondiferous deposits and
86 garnets from known igneous and metamorphic environ-
ments were prepared for analysis. The mass spectra of three
representative garnets typical of diamondiferous deposits are
presented in Fig. 3(a)-(c), while those from the non-diamon-
diferous host rocks are shown in Fig. 4(a)-(c).
The mass spectra of garnets from the diamondiferous

nant discriminatory elements for the South African deposit deposits all indicate a similar trace element pattern. Zinc (64,
investigated. The occurrence of high concentrations of lead in 66,67,68 and 70 u), gallium (69 and 71 u) and zirconium (90,
diamonds from the South African deposit is surprising in that 91, 92, 94 and 96 u) are relatively enhanced, whereas yttrium
this element is extremely volatile and usually not associated (89 u) has been removed from the spectral scan as its
with ultramafic magmas. One possibility is that the lead has concentration is often so high that it trips the ion multiplier,
been incorporated during transport and emplacement of the resulting in the loss of data. The element distribution pattern
deposit during the geological evolution of host eclogite and/or for garnets from non-diamondiferous host rocks contrasts
garnet peridotite, or that it results from sub-cratonic metaso- sharply with that for garnets associated with diamondiferous
matic processes. Significant lasing of these diamonds only deposits, while the elemental assemblage also appears much
marginally reduces the lead content and confirms that the lead more variable. Elements such as uranium (235 and 238 u)
is pervasive throughout the diamonds. thorium (232 u), lead (204,206,207 and 208 u), mercury (196,
l98,199,200,201,202and204u), tin (112,114,115,116,117,
118, 119, 120, 122 and 124 u), strontium (84, 86,87 and 88 u)
and rubidium (85 and 87 u), which are traditionally associated
with crustal rocks, are significantly more abundant. As with
lead from the South African diamonds investigated in this
1600 study, these elements may reflect metasomatic events or they
may be inherited from host rock evolutionary processes.
Of particular interest in all the spectra is the REE (139-176
1200
u) distribution pattern. The distribution of these elements, in
1000 garnets from the diamondiferous deposits, when chondrite-
800 normalized,l7 indicates a significant depletion in the lighter
600
REE and enhancement in the heavier REE. The characteristic
pattern exhibited by the indicator garnets from the two
400
diamondiferous deposits is shown in Fig. 5(a) and (6). The two
200 profiles, while different in detail, are remarkably similar, both
0 within and between deposits. Conversely, the chondrite-
60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 normalized REE profile of garnets from a high temperature
2000 and pressure eclogitic environment [Fig. 5(c)] exhibits much
1800
more variable characteristics with a far less pronounced
depletion in the lighter REEs compared with the heavier
1600 REEs. In most samples there is also a suggestion of minor
1400 europium depletion, while one sample illustrates europium
5
v)
1200 enrichment. The REE profiles of garnets from a low
temperature metamorphic environment indicate no enhance-
8 1000
ment of heavy REEs or depletion in light REEs [Fig. 5 ( d ) ] .In
3
2 800 fact, some of the garnets indicate that there has been a
600 significant enhancement in the lighter REEs. Hafnium and
400 tantalum also do not show the characteristic downward slope
pattern that characterizes their association in garnets from
200
diamondiferous deposits and in garnets from eclogites. In
0 order to discriminate better between the types of garnets,
60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 ternary diagrams were again prepared [Fig. 6(a)-(f)]. From
2000
these diagrams the identification of garnets derived from two
1800 diamondiferous and two non-diamondiferous host rocks is
1600 readily apparent. Plots of elemental associations in garnets
from the two diamondiferous deposits are essentially overlap-
1400
ping whereas the data from the non-diamondiferous host
1200 rocks are scattered almost over the entire plotting area.
1000 However, it is interesting that while there is considerable
800 scatter of the non-diamondiferous data, very few data points
overlap into the diamondiferous field.
600
400 Chromites
200
Six chromites each from kimberlitic and non-kimberlitic host
0 rocks were analysed and the elemental association patterns
60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 are presented in Fig. 7(a)-(d). The reproducibility of the
U elemental signature for both types of chromite was essentially
Fig. 4 Mass spectra of three garnets derived from non-diamondifer- excellent [Fig. 7(a) and (c)]. However, there appeared to be
ous host rocks. an anomalous sample in the kimberlitic chromite suite [Fig.
 View Article Online

1362 Analyst, May 1995, Vol. 120

7 ( a ) ] .The ablation characteristics for this sample were also Lu Nd

different from the other chromites in this suite. When the
element profile for this sample was removed and the data were
replotted [Fig. 7 ( h ) ] ,a much more reproducible elemental
pattern resulted.
A comparison of the average element profile for the two
suites of samples is shown in Fig. 7(d). Here, the differences
between the two sample suites are clear. Kimberlitic chro-
/ 0 ,-
mites contain significantly more rubidium, strontium, yttrium,
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zirconium, niobium, barium, hafnium, tantalum, thorium and

uranium and the entire REE suite than do chromites from the
non-kimberlitic rocks. Ternary plots of these data (Fig. 8) Ce. 10 Nd.10 La Ce
elegantly confirm the definitive identification of the two suites Sm Pr
of chromites. Furthermore, the one ‘suspect’ chromite from
the kimberlite is, in all instances, intimately associated with
data from the non-kimberlitic chromites. It is felt that this
chromite represents material entrained from higher crustal
levels during ascent of the kimberlitic magma.

Conclusions
In Australia, as in other diamond-producing countries, stolen
diamonds represent major losses of revenue to producing
companies through direct loss and reduced sales, of dividends
to investors, of tax to Government and of loss of foreign La.10 Gd La.10 Ce
revenue. More dramatically, diamond theft is illegal and can Ta. 10 Sm
result in death or injury to innocent bystanders and should be
discouraged. However, until now, identification of the prove-
nance of diamonds, as a means of assisting the authorities in
criminal investigations, has not been possible.
Studies so far have shown that it is possible to identify the
provenance of different diamonds on the basis of their unique
trace element association patterns. The method is rapid and
relatively simple, although interpretation of spectra requires
considerable experience. Ultimately, it is hoped that the
identification of a particular diamond will be achieved using a
computerized database of mass spectra.
Application of the technique to the analysis of garnets and La.10 Hf La.10 Ce.10
chromites has produced data for a wide range of analyte Fig. 6 Selected ternary element distribution diagrams tor element
elements which, until now, have been at concentrations below associations in garnets from two diamondiferous deposits (0)and two
non-diamondiferous host rocks (0).

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Fig. 5 Chondrite normalized REE profilcs of garncts derived from two diamondiferous deposits (a and b ) , a non-diamond producing eclogite ( c )
and a low-grade metamorphic host rock (d).
 View Article Online

Analyst, M a y 1995, Vol. 120 1363

the analytical sensitivity for most conventional techniques. Bi.10 Tb.10

The data for this increased range of analytes have facilitated
the identification of trace element association patterns that
have not previously been available to geologists and geoche-
mists and which can be used for provenance identification of
the minerals concerned. Such data have the potential of being
applied in association with conventional geochemical data for
improving the use of indicator minerals in the exploration for
diamond deposits.
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The methodology described in this paper further demon-

strates the application of LA-ICP-MS to the area of forensic
mineralogy and provides the experimental design to transfer La.10 Nb Dy.10 Nd
this technology to other aspects of the analysis of solid Zn cu
samples. It is not designed to provide quantification of analyte
concentrations in a sample, but rather to provide a distribution
pattern of elements present within a particular sample, under
conditions that are robust and reproducible between the same
type of sample on a day-to-day basis. Interpretation of results
is based on the association of elements within a sample and
comparison of these associations with reference samples or
samples in a database.
Although it is possible to discriminate between diamonds
from the deposits studied, between garnets from diamondife-
Nb.102 Ce.102 Ga
rous and non-diamondiferous host rocks and between chro-
mites from kimberlitic and non-kimberlitic host rocks using Nd. 1O2 Nb
simple ternary diagrams, the potential of improved discrimi-
nation, using tetrahedral plots and more complicated multi-
variate statistical software, is being investigated. Again, it
must be stressed that all data presented in this paper are
preliminary and represent the analysis of a limited sample
base. Significant further research and development must be
undertaken before the true potential of the technique can be
demonstrated. However, the initial data for all sample types
are extremely encouraging.

The authors thank the Director of the Research Centre for Ba Zr Ce Zr

Advance Mineral and Materials Processing, University of Fig. 8 Selected ternary distribution diagrams for element associa-
Western Australia, for financial support in running the LA- tions in chromites from kimberlitic and non-kimberlitic host rocks. 0 ,
ICP-MS facility and the Director of the Chemistry Centre Kimberlitic and H,non-kimberlitic. X , Garnet from a kimberlitic host
(WA) for permission to publish this work. rock showing non-kimberlitic characteristics.

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100

Fig. 7 Mass spectral element profiles of chromites from kimberlitic and non-kimberlitic host rocks. ( u ) Kimberlitic host rock containing a
possible non-kimberlitic chromite ( X ) . ( b ) kimberlitic chromites from ( a ) with the possible non-kimberlitic chromite profile removed, ( c )
non-kimberlitic and ( d ) average comparison. K, Kimberlitic and NK, non-kimberlitic.
 View Article Online

1364 Anulyst, Muy lo%, Vol. 120

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