sedimentary
Bauxite
Bauxite (Aluminum Ore)
Hardness: 1-3 Mohs; Color: Red-brown, orange, tan; Luster: Dull, earthy; Crystal structure: Amorphous/Pisolitic; Specific Gravity: 2.0-2.6.
- Hardness
- 1-3 Mohs
- Color
- Red-brown, orange, tan
- Luster
- Dull, earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 1-3 Mohs; Color: Red-brown, orange, tan; Luster: Dull, earthy; Crystal structure: Amorphous/Pisolitic; Specific Gravity: 2.0-2.6.
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily as a residual soil in tropical and subtropical regions through the chemical weathering of silicate rocks like granite and basalt. It is typically a Phanerozoic age formation.
Uses & applications
Primary source of aluminum for the aerospace, automotive, and packaging industries. Also used in abrasives, refractories, and cement production.
Geological facts
Bauxite is not technically a mineral but a rock composed of minerals like gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore. It is named after the village of Les Baux in southern France.
Field identification & locations
Identifiable by its 'pisolitic' (pea-shaped) structure and earthy appearance. Commonly found in surface deposits in Australia, Guinea, and Brazil. Collectors look for well-defined circular grain structures.
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