metamorphic (man-made/engineered)
Porcelain (Kaolin-based)
Alumina silicate ceramic (composed primarily of Kaolinite: Al2Si2O5(OH)4)
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: White; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Amorphous to microcrystalline (mullite); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.3–2.5
- Hardness
- 7 Mohs
- Color
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: White; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Amorphous to microcrystalline (mullite); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.3–2.5
Formation & geological history
Formed by heating kaolin, feldspar, and silica (quartz) in a kiln at temperatures between 1,200 and 1,400 °C. This process (vitrification) mimics high-grade contact metamorphism on a fast timeline.
Uses & applications
Used for tableware, electrical insulators, laboratory equipment, dental crowns, and decorative fine art.
Geological facts
Porcelain was first developed in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It is often called 'fine china' because for centuries, China was the only global source of the material.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its high resonant ring when tapped, translucent quality when held to light, and extreme resistance to chemical attack and thermal shock.
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N/A - Non-Geological Item
not a rock/mineral