Kaolin

ka'o-lin, a kind of potter's clay. The name is derived from the Chinese Kaoling, meaning lofty hill. Kaoling is the name of a particular hill in China from which large quantities of porcelain clay are dug. All such clays, wherever found, are now called kaolin. It is derived from rock that has disintegrated without having been disturbed. The particles are flattish like scales and do not work in the fingers, that is to say, are not plastic like putty. Kaolin is free from grit. China ware, Japanese ware, Sevres wares, Dresden China, English ironstone china; in short, all the chinaware of the world is made from kaolin. It is akin to chalk. Valuable deposits are rare. Kaolin is mined in Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and several other states; but we still import about 100,000 tons of superior kaolin each year for our chinaware factories. See Clay; Pottery; Porcelain