People know little about bauxite but many are familiar with aluminum. To put it simply, aluminum is derived from the principal ore that is bauxite.

Aluminum is nonetheless, the most abundant metallic element in the planet’s crust and the third most common element in the crust behind Oxygen and Silicon. Bauxite is its main source.

Bauxite is a more general term for a piece of rock made of oxides of hydrated aluminum. It is the primary ore of alumina, which is used to make the actual aluminum. This ore is also utilized in making aluminous refractories and synthetic corundum. Bauxite is actually reddish brown in color and can also appear white, tan yellow or simply tan.

1. Bauxite is a more general term compared to aluminum.

2. Aluminum is harnessed from bauxite and not vice versa.

3. Aluminum is a metal while Bauxite is an ore or a rock because it is made of many minerals mixed altogether.

4. Aluminum is silvery white in color while bauxite looks reddish brown or tan.