sedimentary
Clay
Hydrous aluminum phyllosilicate
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 1-2, earthy luster, colors range from white to brown and reddish, fine-grained microcrystalline structure.
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Clay in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness 1-2, earthy luster, colors range from white to brown and reddish, fine-grained microcrystalline structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the chemical weathering of silicate-bearing rocks over millions of years, commonly deposited in low-energy aquatic environments.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in ceramics, pottery, brick manufacturing, construction, and cosmetics.
Geological facts
Clay minerals are fundamental to the development of early human agriculture and technology, serving as the basis for the oldest pottery artifacts.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its plastic consistency when wet and fine earthy texture when dry; found worldwide in soil profiles and sedimentary deposits.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Fossil-bearing concretion, possibly containing a fossil shell or other organic inclusion
Calcareous concretion; exact fossil and host-rock composition are not identifiable from the image
fossil
Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint
fossil
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary
Shale
Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)
sedimentary
Shale (or Mudstone/Siltstone)
Sedimentary Mudrock (SiO2, Al2O3 base with clay minerals)
sedimentary