There are several dry fire clays and stoneware clays available to the studio potter. These dry clays are used to create custom clay bodies, using clay body recipes. For more on how to read a clay body recipe,
click here.
Be aware that all clays are mined and that variations can and do occur. Also, mines do shut down, which can mean the end of the availability of a certain clay.
APGreen (APG) Missori Fire Clay
This clay is used mainly as a refractory in cone 10 clay bodies. It fires to a light cream color and shrink about 11% at cone 10.Cedar Heights Fire Clay
This is a highly refractory fire clay. It is mainly used to raise a clay body's maturation temperature.GoldArt
A Cedar Heights clay, GoldArt is a plastic, warm-toned stoneware clay that is very useful in many stoneware clay bodies. Because of its plasticity, it can be used as both a ball clay and a stoneware clay. It does have a high sulfur content. GoldArt fires to a light cream or buff, depending on kiln atmosphere. It shrinks about 7% at cone 8.Hawthorne Fire Clay
Hawthorne is a light-colored, fine-particled fire clay with good plasticity. It shrinks about 10% at cone 10.Pine Lake Fire Clay
Pine Lake is no longer mined, but I've included it because it was so often used in older clay body recipes. Pine Lake contained 64% silica; you should be able to substitute Hawthorne for Pine Lake, with the possible need for additional silica in the clay body. Also, Hawthorne has a slightly cooler color than Pine Lake did.Roseville Clay
This is a high iron stoneware clay. Its maturation range begins slightly lower in temperature than other stoneware clays, making it useful in mid-range clay bodies. It fires to a yellow or tan color.XX Sagger Clay
This is a fire clay - grog combination that has good plasticity and strength. It is used to make saggers, so is able to endure repeated firing. XX Sagger fires to a light cream to white, depending on the kiln's atmosphere. It shrinks about 13% at cone 10.
