sedimentary

Bauxite

Bauxite (Al(OH)3, AlO(OH))

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 1-3 Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown, tan, or grayish; Luster: Dull or earthy; Crystal Structure: Amorphous (mixture); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.0-2.5

Hardness: 1-3 Mohs scale
Color: Reddish-brown, tan, or grayish
Luster: Dull or earthy

Identified February 21, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 1-3 Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown, tan, or grayish; Luster: Dull or earthy; Crystal Structure: Amorphous (mixture); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.0-2.5

Formation & geological history

Formed as a residual mineral through the intense chemical weathering (laterization) of aluminum-rich rocks in tropical or subtropical climates over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of aluminum used in beverage cans, aerospace components, construction, and electronics; also used as an abrasive and in the production of refractory materials.

Geological facts

Bauxite is not a single mineral but a rock composed of various aluminum hydroxides like gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore; it was named after the village Les Baux in southern France.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinctive pea-like (pisolitic) rounded structures and lack of weight relative to its size; common in Australia, Guinea, and Brazil.