The crystal chemistry and Raman spectroscopy of kimberlitic (G-9) garnets

Abstract

The Raman spectra of G-9 garnets from kimberlites and their relationship to compositional changes, and therefore changes in their cell edges, are evaluated. Increasing CaO and Cr₂O₃ cause the cell constant to become larger and positions of Raman bands to shift. G-9 garnets have characteristic Raman spectra but the application of Raman spectroscopy as sole identification tool, without the need for micro-analytical techniques, requires further research.