Bayerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bayerite
Karl J. Bayer
Formula:
Al(OH)3
Colour:
White
Specific Gravity:
2.53
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The artificial compound is thought to have been named for Karl Josef Bayer (4 March 1847, Bielitz , Austrian Silesia – 4 October 1904, Rietzdorf, now Rečica ob Paki, Slovenia). The name was then applied to the natural mineral. Bayer was a chemist who in 1887, invented the Bayer process of extracting alumina from bauxite, essential to this day to the economical production of aluminium.
Type Locality:
Polymorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Bayerite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
580
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:580:7
Similar Names
| Baierite | A synonym of 'Columbite' | |
| Bakerite | A variety of Datolite | Ca4(H5B5Si3O20) |
| Bauerite | SiO2 | |
| Bayerite II | A synonym of Nordstrandite | |
| Beyerite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2 |
IMA Classification of Bayerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1956
Classification of Bayerite
4.FE.10
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
6.3.2.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
3 : X(OH)3
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
3 : X(OH)3
7.6.5
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Byr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Byr | 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 Bayerite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White
Density:
2.53 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bayerite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.565 - 1.574 nγ = 1.58 - 1.584
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010 - 0.015
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Bayerite
Mindat Formula:
Al(OH)3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bayerite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.0626 Å, b = 8.6719 Å, c = 9.4254 Å
β = 90.26°
β = 90.26°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.584 : 1 : 1.087
Unit Cell V:
413.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
As very fine fibers; also as flaky and tabular crystals, to 0.1 mm; in radiating hemispherical aggregates and crusts
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009134 | Bayerite | Balan E, Blanchard M, Hochepied J-F, Lazzeri M (2008) Surface modes in the infrared spectrum of hydrous minerals: the OH stretching modes of bayerite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 35 279-285 | 2008 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019360 | Bayerite | Zigan F, Joswig W, Burger N (1978) Die wasserstoffpositionen im bayerit, Al(OH)3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 148 255-273 |  | 1978 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0010649 | Bayerite | Rothbauer R, Zigan F, O'Daniel H (1967) Verfeinerung der struktur des bayerits, Al(OH)3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 125 317-331 | | 1967 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.73 Å | (s) |
| 4.36 Å | (ms) |
| 3.19 Å | (w) |
| 2.70 Å | (vw) |
| 2.21 Å | (s) |
| 2.16 Å | (vw) |
| 1.720 Å | (m) |
Locality:
Comments:
Recorded on type material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
| 51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56) | <0.36 |
Geological Setting:
In bauxites; as weathered crusts on amphiboles and pyroxenes
Type Occurrence of Bayerite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geological Survey of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel, numbers SG 168 and SG 523.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Precipitates from high-aluminium gels at pH values above 5.8
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Bayerite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Bayerite associated with Doyleite | Al(OH)3 |
| 1 photo of Bayerite associated with Creedite | Ca3Al2(SO4)(OH)2F8 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Bayerite associated with Hydrokenoralstonite | Na0.5(Al,Mg)2(F,OH)6 · H2O |
| 1 photo of Bayerite associated with Native Aluminium | Al |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FE. | Nannoniite | Al2(OH)5F |
| 4.FE.05 | Brucite | Mg(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Theophrastite | Ni(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Amakinite | Fe2+(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Portlandite | Ca(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.10 | Doyleite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Nordstrandite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.15 | Lepidocrocite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.15 | Böhmite | AlO(OH) |
| 4.FE.20 | Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.20 | Grimaldiite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FE.25 | Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.25 | Feitknechtite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.30 | Quenselite | PbMnO2(OH) |
| 4.FE.35 | Ferrihydrite | Fe3+10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.40 | Vernadite | (Mn4+,Fe3+,Ca,Na)(O,OH)2 · nH2O |
| 4.FE.40 | Feroxyhyte | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 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.
Internet Links for Bayerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-580.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Bayerite
Reference List:
Glemser, Oskar; Rieck, Gerhard (1957) Über Mechanismus und Verlauf der Entwässerung von Hydrargillit und Bayerit. Die Naturwissenschaften, 44 (6). 180 doi:10.1007/bf00599852
Gross, S., Heller, L. (1963) A natural occurrence of bayerite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (263) 723-724 doi:10.1180/minmag.1963.033.263.14
Rothbauer, R., Zigan, F., O'Daniel, H. (1967) Verfeinerung der Struktur des Bayerits, Al(OH)3. Einschließlich eines Vorschlags für die H-Positionen. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 125 (125). 317-331 doi:10.1524/zkri.1967.125.125.317
Schoen, Robert, Roberson, Charles E. (1970) Structures of aluminum hydroxide and geochemical implications. American Mineralogist, 55 (1-2) 43-77
Mchardy, W. J., Thomson, A. P. (1971) Conditions for the formation of bayerite and gibbsite. Mineralogical Magazine, 38 (295) 358-368 doi:10.1180/minmag.1971.038.295.11
Zigan, F., Joswig, W., Burger, N. (1978) Die Wasserstoffpositionen im Bayerit, Al(OH)3. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 148 (3-4). 255-273 doi:10.1524/zkri.1978.148.3-4.255
Wolska, Emilia (1980) Die durch die Anwesenheit von Eisen(III)-ionen bedingten Phasengleichgewichte kristalliner Aluminiumhydroxide des Nordstrandits, Hydrargillits und Bayerits. Monatshefte für Chemie, 111. 889-897 doi:10.1007/bf00899254
Mardilovich, P. P.; Trokhimets, A. I.; Zaretskii, M. V.; Kupchenko, G. G. (1985) Spectroscopic investigation of dehydration of bayerite and hydrargillite. Journal of Applied Spectroscopy, 42. 659-665 doi:10.1007/bf00657101
Localities for Bayerite
Showing 20 localities.
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.
Argentina | |
| Anthony (1997) |
Australia | |
| Taylor et al. (2004) |
Brazil | |
| Piló et al. (2023) |
China | |
| Zhongcao Liang (1983) +1 other reference |
| Qin et al. (2025) |
Germany | |
| Hentschel (1989) |
Greece | |
| Grosch et al. (12/2021) |
| Maksimovic et al. (1978) |
Iran | |
| Daliran (2008) |
Malaysia | |
| Baioumy et al. (2012) |
| Baioumy et al. (2012) |
Middle East (TL) | |
| Gross et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
New Zealand | |
| Rodgers et al. (1989) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski (2012) |
Romania | |
| Januszewska et al. (2023) |
| A. Januszewska PXRD data / Januszewska et al. (in preparation) | |
Russia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
UK | |
| [Specimen in the Natural History Museum |
| De Putter et al. (2000) |
USA | |
| R.M. Joeckel et al. (2011) |
Quick NavTopAbout BayeriteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Löhley, Üdersdorf, Daun, Vulkaneifel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany