Diamonds are the premier container for mineral inclusions, effectively isolating them completely from reactions with fluids and magmas. A special class of diamond, estimated to comprise less than 10% of diamonds mined from kimberlite, derives from hundreds of kilometers below the lithospheric mantle. These so-called "superdeep" diamonds carry distinctive retrograded mineral assemblages that give a valuable look at deep mantle mineralogy not attainable any other way. Recent studies of microscopic mineral inclusions extracted from diamond hosts support new findings: 1) a measurably high water content for nominally anhydrous high-pressure minerals, 2) the recycling of surface-derived constituents to the top of the lower mantle, and 3) an indication of the cause of deep focus earthquakes. These diamonds allow scientists to sample plate tectonics at extraordinary depths.
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