Consolidated Statements Of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Total Albemarle Shareholders' Equity	Non-controlling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,678,827	$ 888	$ 15,194	$ 60,329	$ 1,514,866	$ 1,591,277	$ 87,550
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		88,841,240
Net income	118,633				114,262	114,262	4,371
Other comprehensive (loss) income	28,867			28,722		28,722	145
Cash dividends declared	(25,453)				(17,824)	(17,824)	(7,629)
Stock-based compensation and other	6,114		6,114			6,114
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		149,101
Exercise of stock options	2,569	2	2,567			2,569
Tax benefit related to stock plans	4,544		4,544			4,544
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		280,117
Issuance of common stock, net		3	(3)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(101,957)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(6,727)	(1)	(6,726)			(6,727)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	1,807,374	892	21,690	89,051	1,611,304	1,722,937	84,437
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2012		89,168,501
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
Net income	89,516				83,987	83,987	5,529
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(33,951)			(34,255)		(34,255)	304
Cash dividends declared	(21,226)				(21,226)	(21,226)
Stock-based compensation and other	2,237		2,237			2,237
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		64,368
Exercise of stock options	1,720	1	1,719			1,720
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(1,013,650)
Shares repurchased	(64,522)	(10)	(1,167)		(63,345)	(64,522)
Tax benefit related to stock plans	1,901		1,901			1,901
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		216,113
Issuance of common stock, net		2	(2)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(85,488)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(5,443)	(1)	(5,442)			(5,443)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 1,902,240	$ 881	$ 2,007	$ 51,009	$ 1,744,100	$ 1,797,997	$ 104,243
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013		88,080,552