Böhmite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Böhmite
Johann Böhm
Formula:
AlO(OH)
Colour:
White, pale greyish brown; yellowish or reddish when impure; colourless in thin section
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.02 - 3.05
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Johann (Johannes, Hans, Jan) Böhm (20 January 1895, Budweis, Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire - 27 November 1952, Prague, Czech Republic) physical-chemist and crystallographer at the University of Freiburg and the German University in Prague who first described it. He was also a photographer.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
A major constituent of the aluminium ore Bauxite.
Dimorphous with Diaspore and isostructural with Lepidocrocite.
Dimorphous with Diaspore and isostructural with Lepidocrocite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
707
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:707:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
986ceff2-b978-47b2-a413-254d0ed761cf
IMA Classification of Böhmite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1925
Classification of Böhmite
4.FE.15
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
6.1.2.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
1 : XO(OH)
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
1 : XO(OH)
7.6.3
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
6 : Oxides of Al
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
6 : Oxides of Al
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Bhm | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bhm | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Bhm | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Bhm | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Bhm | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
| Bhm | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Böhmite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on {010}.
Colour:
White, pale greyish brown; yellowish or reddish when impure; colourless in thin section
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Very Good
On {010}, good on {100}, and poor on {001}.
On {010}, good on {100}, and poor on {001}.
Density:
3.02 - 3.05 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Böhmite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.644 - 1.648 nβ = 1.654 - 1.657 nγ = 1.661 - 1.668
2V:
Measured: 74° to 88°, Calculated: 80°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.017 - 0.020
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Y = b; Z = a.
Chemistry of Böhmite
Mindat Formula:
AlO(OH)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Böhmite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.693(1) Å, b = 12.221(2) Å, c = 2.865(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.302 : 1 : 0.234
Unit Cell V:
129.30 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Rarely tabular to stout prismatic crystals, to 2 mm, showing {001}, {110}, {101}, {111}, {221}; commonly extremely fine-grained, in pisolitic aggregates or disseminated.
Comment:
Space Group: Amam.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.11 Å | (100) |
| 3.15 Å | (60) |
| 2.347 Å | (60) |
| 1.862 Å | (20) |
| 1.850 Å | (20) |
| 1.308 Å | (15) |
| 1.661 Å | (10) |
Comments:
Recorded on material from Hurunui Peak, New Zealand.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
Geological Setting:
In bauxite, laterite or fireclay deposits; as a low-temperature hydrothermal decomposition product in nepheline pegmatites, syenites and ocean-ridge basalts.
Type Occurrence of Böhmite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Bauxite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
de Lapparent, J. (1927) L´alumine hydratée des bauxites. Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences de Paris: 184: 1661-1662.
Other Language Names for Böhmite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 32 photos of Böhmite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 15 photos of Böhmite associated with Phillipsite-K | (K,Na,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
| 8 photos of Böhmite associated with Diaspore | AlO(OH) |
| 8 photos of Böhmite associated with Berborite | Be2(BO3)(OH,F) · H2O |
| 7 photos of Böhmite associated with Thomsonite Subgroup | |
| 6 photos of Böhmite associated with Thomsonite-Ca | NaCa2[Al5Si5O20] · 6H2O |
| 4 photos of Böhmite associated with Spreustein | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Böhmite associated with Sudoite | Mg2Al3(Si3Al)O10)(OH)8 |
| 3 photos of Böhmite associated with Nordstrandite | Al(OH)3 |
| 3 photos of Böhmite associated with Berborite-2H |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FE.05 | Amakinite | Fe2+(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Brucite | Mg(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Portlandite | Ca(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Theophrastite | Ni(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.10 | Bayerite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Doyleite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Nordstrandite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.15 | Lepidocrocite | γ-Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.20 | Grimaldiite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FE.20 | Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.25 | Feitknechtite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.25 | Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.30 | Quenselite | PbMnO2(OH) |
| 4.FE.35 | Ferrihydrite | Fe3+10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.40 | Feroxyhyte | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.40 | Vernadite | (Mn4+,Fe3+,Ca,Na)(O,OH)2 · nH2O |
| 4.FE.45 | Quetzalcoatlite | Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y |
| 4.FE.50 | Fuettererite | Pb3Cu2+6Te6+O6(OH)7Cl5 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
As a constituent of bauxite an important raw material for the industrial production of aluminium.
Böhmite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Böhmite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-707.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Böhmite
Localities for Böhmite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Angola | |
| Villanova-de-Benavent et al. (2017) |
| Villanova-de-Benavent et al. (2017) |
| Villanova-de-Benavent et al. (2017) |
| Villanova-de-Benavent et al. (2017) | |
Australia | |
| Trueman (1965) |
| Henley et al. (2001) |
| www.smenet.org/opaque-ore/ix_d49_3.htm. |
| Econ Geol (1976) |
| Taylor et al. (2004) | |
| gibbsite | |
| Taylor et al. (2008) | |
| Oliver et al. (1965) |
| Crooks |
| Singh et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Recent Investigations of the Mitchell ... +3 other references |
Austria | |
| Described on an info shield at the ... |
| Exel (1993) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) | |
| Bernhard (2008) |
| Bernhard (2008) | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Mudrinic et al. (1969) |
Brazil | |
| Santos (2012) |
| Orris et al. (2002) |
| Orris et al. (2002) |
| Norberto Dani et al (2001) |
Cambodia | |
| Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (1993) |
Canada | |
| 162-165. +1 other reference |
| Ref: Sabina (1986) |
| Lykova |
| Platt & Mitchell (1982) |
| TICE (2010) |
Chile | |
| Miranda-Díaz et al. (2022) |
China | |
| Cai et al. (2009) |
| Zou et al. (2022) |
| Xinhui Liu et al. (2011) |
| Zhangling Liu (1980) +1 other reference |
| Zhongxin Yuan et al. (2007) |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) | |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) | |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) | |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) | |
| Jiangping Mo and Jinao Li (1991) | |
| Kehua Yin (2009) |
| Li +6 other references |
| Qinghai Ji et al. (2013) |
| Guanqun Yang (1987) |
| Fushan Wang (1991) |
| Fushan Wang (1991) | |
| Shifeng Dai et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Li et al. (2024) | |
| Jin Li et al. (1989) |
| Cuizhi Wang et al. (2005) |
| Cuizhi Wang et al. (2005) |
| Cuizhi Wang et al. (2005) |
| Cuizhi Wang et al. (2005) |
| Cuizhi Wang et al. (2005) |
| Yang et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Silei Sun et al. (2012) |
| Ruijun Chen et al. (1993) |
| Hanhe Liu (2007) |
Colombia | |
| Sutherland et al. (2008) |
Croatia | |
| Šinkoveć B. et al. (1994) |
| Šinkovec (1974) +1 other reference |
| doi.org (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| "Dan Costian Collection" +1 other reference |
| Tomašić et al. (2021) |
Czech Republic | |
| Č +4 other references |
| Sejkora J. et al. (Česká republika) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (2015) |
| P.Pauliš et al. (Czech Rep.) |
| Gabriel |
Dominican Republic | |
| R. Weyl (1965) |
Finland | |
| Lahti Seppo I. 2011. Kotkan ... |
France | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Dill (2008) |
| BESSIÈRE G. et al. (1989) |
| S. Caillère and Th. Pobeguin : "Quelques Aspects Microscopiques de la Gibbsite dans les Bauxites du Mas Rouge (Région des Baux) |
| American Mineralogist | |
| Self collected by S. MAURY |
| Self collected by S. MAURY |
| Bull. Soc. Franç. Minéralo. ... |
| BRGM report | |
| BRGM report |
Germany | |
| Witzke (1994) |
Ghana | |
| www.minport.com (n.d.) |
Greece | |
| Z. Maksimovitch |
| www.min.tu-clausthal.de (2004) |
| Mondillo et al. (2022) |
Greenland | |
| Petersen et al. (1993) |
Guinea | |
| Feret et al. (1997) |
Guyana | |
| www.engineeringnews.co.za (2009) |
Hungary | |
| Kovács et al. (2003) |
| Kovács-Pálffy et al. (2008) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Sajó et al. (2007) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) | |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll: 100 Hungarian Mineal Locality | |
| Fülop J. (1969) | |
| Koch: Minerals of Hungary |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) | |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll et al. (2005) | |
| |
| Szakáll: 100 Hungarian Mineral Locality | |
| Koch: Minerals of Hungary |
| Mineral Species of Hungary |
| Koch: Minerals of Hungary |
Iran | |
| Salamab Ellahi et al. (2017) |
| Ahmadnejad et al. (2017) |
| Zamanian (2016) |
| Zamanian et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
Iraq | |
| Al-Bassam et al. (1998) |
Italy | |
| Putzolu et al. (2018) |
| Putzolu et al. (2018) |
| Putzolu et al. (2018) | |
| Putzolu et al. (2018) | |
| Bárdossy et al. (1977) +4 other references |
| Bárdossy et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Mongelli et al. (2015) +1 other reference | |
| Mongelli et al. (2015) +2 other references |
| Mongelli et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
| Mondillo N. et al. (2011) |
| Bárdossy G. et al. (1977) +1 other reference | |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2018) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| MacLean et al. (1997) |
| De Waele et al. (2013) +3 other references |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Saccardo et al. (2002) +2 other references |
Jamaica | |
| Hill (1955) | |
| Anderson (1971, June) |
| Hill (1955) | |
Japan | |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu ore collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Fujii et al. (1971) |
| Fujii et al. (1971) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Agakhanov et al. (2005) |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1963) |
Mexico | |
| 2009 Portland GSA Annual Meeting (18-21 October 2009) |
Middle East | |
| Gross (1977) | |
Montenegro | |
| Goldschmidt Conference Abstracts 2009 ... |
Myanmar | |
| Myint Myat Phyo et al. (2019) |
| Kan-Nyunt et al. (2013) |
New Zealand | |
| Mason (1951) +4 other references |
| Railton et al. (1990) |
Nigeria | |
| Mücke et al. (1999) |
Norway | |
| Larsen (1981) |
| Larsen (1981) | |
| Larsen et al. (2005) | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) | |
| Peter Andresen collection |
| Berge (n.d.) |
| Berge (n.d.) | |
| Berge (n.d.) | |
| Burvald (1993) | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) |
| Burvald (1993) |
| Field collected and identified by Knut ... |
| Berge (n.d.) | |
| Berge (n.d.) |
| Frode Andersen collection 1990 | |
| Sæbø (1966) |
| Berge (n.d.) | |
| Peter Andresen observation in field ... | |
| Andersen (1993) | |
| Berge (n.d.) |
| Collected by Peter Andresen +1 other reference |
| Berge (n.d.) |
| Berge (n.d.) |
| Larsen et al. (2015) |
| |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) | |
| Peter Andresen collection | |
| Collection of Peter Andresen. | |
| Nordrum (2001) | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) | |
| Andresen (2013) | |
| Berge (n.d.) | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
| Berge et al. (2002) | |
| Berge (n.d.) |
| Berge (n.d.) |
Pakistan | |
| Ruotsala et al. (1977) |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Petersen et al. (2002) |
Russia | |
| Gorshkov A.I. et al. (1991) |
| Anthony (1997) |
| A. E. Zadov data |
| Mordberg (2004) |
| Shcherban et al. (1970) |
| Pekov et al. (2004) |
| ... +1 other reference | |
| Tony Nikischer |
| Sidorenko et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) +1 other reference |
| Koděra (1986) | |
| [European Journal of Mineralogy ... |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) |
Spain | |
| Martínez et al. (2023) |
| Martínez et al. (2023) |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
Sudan | |
| Germann et al. (1994) |
Sweden | |
| Norin (1949) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Tanzania | |
| Henry Hanni (1987) |
Turkey | |
| Echle (1967) |
USA | |
| Graeme (1981) +1 other reference |
| Rocks and Minerals (1988) |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| Rocks & Min.:63:122 +1 other reference |
| - (2005) | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 144 +5 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Anthony (1997) |
| The Mineralogy of The Butte District +2 other references |
| American Mineralogist |
| White et al. (1979) | |
| Mineral Commodity Files |
| Montgomery (Aug, 1972) +2 other references |
| Rocks & Min.: 6:26 +4 other references | |
| Rocks & Min.: 6:26 +4 other references | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| - (2005) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Rocks & Min.:60:165. |
| Rocks & Min.:60:165. | |
| Rocks & Min.: 60:165. | |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Cannon (1975) | |
| Cannon (1975) | |
| Cannon (1975) |
Vietnam | |
| Kamitani et al. (2007) |
| Kamitani et al. (2007) | |
| Khoi et al. (2011) |
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Vishnevye Mountains, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia