Microdiamonds from the Saxonian Erzgebirge, Germany: in situ micro-Raman characterisation

The identity of diamond inclusions in quartz-muscovite gneisses occurring i n the Saxonian Erzgebirge near the Saidenbach reservoir was proven by laser -Raman micro-spectroscopy. The identification was additionally backed-up by graphitization of diamond inclusions as a result of irradiation with a hig h-energy laser beam. Enclosed microdiamonds are mostly idiomorphic and are up to 30 mu m in size. They occur preferentially in garnet but were also fo und in zircon and kyanite. The microdiamond inclusions give evidence for ul tra-high pressure metamorphism experienced by the host rock.