The Mineral boehmite

Boehmite, also spelled as Böhmite, is one of the three component minerals of the economically important aluminum ore Bauxite. It is named after German mineralogist Johann Böhm.

Chemical Formula	AlO(OH)
Composition	Basic aluminum oxide
Color	White, light gray, light yellow, light yellow-green
Streak	White
Hardness	3 - 3.5
Crystal System	Orthorhombic
Crystal Forms and Aggregates	Crystals, which are tabular or short prismatic, form in tight groups and are very small. Most often in fine-grained scaly masses, pisolitic, and massive.
Transparency	Translucent
Specific Gravity	3 - 3.1
Luster	Vitreous
Cleavage	1,1;2,1;3,1
Fracture	Uneven
Tenacity	Brittle
In Group	Oxides; Hydroxides
Striking Features	Formation habits and mode of occurence
Environment	As a secondary mineral forming in the weathered surface zones in clay deposits and limestones, as well as low-silica igneous rocks and pegmatites.
Rock Type	Igneous, Sedimentary
Popularity (1-4)	3
Prevalence (1-3)	2
Demand (1-3)	1

Boehmite AUCTIONS

OTHER NAMES

Bohmite

Synonym of Boehmite. Usually spelled in the native German Böhmite.

POLYMORPHS

Diaspore

USES

Boemite, being an important component of Bauxite, is an important ore of aluminum.

NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES

Although common as a constitute in Bauxite deposits, Boehmite is very poorly represented as specimens. The locality of Saga 1 Quarry, Mørje, Telemark, Norway has produced good microcrystals of Boehmite.

COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS

Gibbsite, Diaspore, Calcite, Kaolinite, Natrolite, Nepheline

boehmite PHOTOS