Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total Albemarle Shareholders' Equity	Non-controlling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,932,008	$ 889	$ 2,761	$ 85,264	$ 1,744,684	$ 1,833,598	$ 98,410
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		88,899,209
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	278,488				257,238	257,238	21,250
Other comprehensive income (loss)	11,439			11,031		11,031	408
Cash dividends declared	(70,302)				(60,288)	(60,288)	(10,014)
Stock-based compensation and other	6,324		6,324			6,324
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		152,739
Exercise of stock options	4,510	1	4,509			4,510
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(7,814,045)
Shares repurchased	(582,298)	(78)	(4,556)		(577,664)	(582,298)
Tax benefit related to stock plans	3,078		3,078			3,078
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		254,334
Issuance of common stock, net		3	(3)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(96,080)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(6,098)	(1)	(6,097)			(6,098)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	1,577,149	814	6,016	96,295	1,363,970	1,467,095	110,054
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013		81,396,157
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,742,776	801	9,957	116,245	1,500,358	1,627,361	115,415
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		80,052,842
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	174,954				151,824	151,824	23,130
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(118,299)			(117,896)		(117,896)	(403)
Cash dividends declared	(72,517)				(64,905)	(64,905)	(7,612)
Stock-based compensation and other	10,016		10,016			10,016
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		77,546
Exercise of stock options	2,713	1	2,712			2,713
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(1,967,069)
Shares repurchased	(150,000)	(20)	(13,321)		(136,659)	(150,000)
Tax benefit related to stock plans	836		836			836
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		135,578
Issuance of common stock, net		1	(1)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(50,144)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(3,208)	(1)	(3,207)			(3,208)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 1,587,271	$ 782	$ 6,992	$ (1,651)	$ 1,450,618	$ 1,456,741	$ 130,530
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014		78,248,753