Which type of clay is white ceramic material, often called china clay because it can make fine china or porcelain?

• A. Stoneware
• B. Ball Clay
• C. Earthenware
• D. Kaolin

Answer: (D)

Kaolin is the white clay used to make fine china and porcelain. It’s a very pure clay mineral that fires to a bright white color, which is essential for a clean porcelain surface. Its fine particle size gives good plasticity for shaping delicate pieces, and it provides the whiteness that characterizes porcelain.

The other clays don’t fit this description: stoneware is fired at higher temperatures and is typically more opaque or tan; ball clay is extremely plastic and useful for molding but isn’t known for whiteness; earthenware is fired at lower temperatures and often ends up red or brown from iron content. So the white porcelain-quality clay used for china is kaolin.