Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2007-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
bauxite

Chemical Group:    oxide

Chemical Formula:    Al₂O₃.2H₂O

Color: white, gray, yellow ochre, reddish brown depending upon iron content

Streak:  white

Hardness:                 Specific Gravity:  2.3 to 2.55                
 

Crystal Forms and Habits:  Bauxite forms in small rounded concretions (pisolitic) or it
     may be earthy or clay-like.

Mineral Associations: found in tropical regions where there has been extensive
     weathering of aluminum-bearing rocks

Identifying Characteristics: pisolitic structure

Uses:  aluminum ore

Occurrences:
USA occurrences:
Arkansas
     Bauxite, Saline County
     Pulaski County
Alabama
Georgia 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-                            when inhaled-

Additional Information:

  Two types of bauxite:
1. laterite-derived from igneous rocks and clays
2. terra rosa-derived from weathered limestone