Lamproite is a rare, ultrapotassic volcanic or sub-volcanic rock known for its potential to host economic diamond deposits. It typically occurs as volcanic pipes and dikes, characterized by a complex mineralogy often dominated by phlogopite and leucite.
Is this lamproite?
3-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lamproite typically shows a dull luster.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, greenish-gray, brown, dark-gray.
- 3Look at form & habitTypical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Lamproite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lamproite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lamproite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Density
- 2.5-2.8 g/cm³
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Geological Research, Diamond Prospecting
- Host rock
- Volcanic and Sub-volcanic Pipes and Dikes
Where rockhounds find lamproite
Classic worldwide localities
- Argyle Mine, Australia
- Leucite Hills, USA
- Spain
- India
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic and sub-volcanic pipes and dikes country, the host setting where lamproite typically forms. If you start seeing diamond, phlogopite, leucite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lamproite?+
Where is lamproite found?+
What rocks look like lamproite?+
What minerals are found with lamproite?+
What kind of rock does lamproite form in?+
What is lamproite used for?+
Find lamproite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
