A fine usually white clay formed by the weathering of aluminous minerals (as feldspar); used in ceramics and as an absorbent and as a filler (e.g., in paper); SYN. china stone, kaolin, kaoline, porcelain clay, terra alba.
Clay mineral formed by the decomposition of feldspars. The alteration of aluminum silicates results in the formation of kaolinite, Al2Si2O5(OH)4, from which kaolin, or white china clay, is derived.
Kaolinite is economically important in the ceramic and paper industries. It is mined in the UK, the US, France, and the Czech Republic.