My government computer will not allow viewing of Photobucket, youtube,
myspace etc. so I will not be able to look at the pictures until this
evening.  ALL clay has kaolin in it.  I have been ranting against the
use of the term "kaolin" for pipes for more than 30 years, I picked up
my rant from Ian Walker after I had him read some of my stuff back in
the 70s.  Anyway, here is the best explaination I have worked up on
the differences so far.

What is Ball Clay?
Ball clay is an extremely rare mineral found in very few places around
the world. Its name dates back to the early methods of mining when
specialized hand tools were used to extract the clay in rough cube
shapes of about 30 cm. As the corners were knocked through handling
and storage these cubes became rounded and 'ball' shaped. It also is
sometimes referred to as plastic clay.

For more details:
http://www.ima-na.org/about_industrial_minerals/ball_clay.asp

And....http://www.wbb.co.uk/web/website.nsf/0/a960b9cb0cff152d80256caf004c74c7?OpenDocument

What is the Difference between Ball Clay and China Clay?

The mineral kaolinite forms a major component in both ball clay and
china clay (which is also known as kaolin). But the two materials are
quite different from each other.

China clay (mostly composed of kaolinite, mica and quartz minerals)
remained in the place where it was formed as the feldspars in the
granite decomposed. In South West England, the funnel-shaped deposits
of china clay remain located amidst their parent rock - the
surrounding "granite matrix".

However, ball clay is a sedimentary clay - carried far from where the
kaolinite was first formed. Rivers and streams washed away the
decomposed granite, mixing it with other clay minerals, sands, gravels
and vegetation as they flowed down from the uplands to form the
deposits of ball clay in low lying basins. In ball clays, there are
usually three dominant minerals: from 20 - 80% kaolinite; 10-25% mica,
and 6-65% quartz. In addition, there are other from 20 - 80%
kaolinite; 10-25% mica, and 6-65% quartz. In addition, there are other
'accessory' minerals and some carbonaceous material (derived from
ancient plants). The wide variation in minerals make-up, and in the
sizes of the clay particles result in different characteristics for
individual ball clay seams.

And yet even more info on Clay:
http://www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/rlo/lceramicsclay.htm



On 9/29/07, Patrick Tucker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Can anyone identify this clay pipe as to type or possibly manufacturer? It
> is plain (no decoration) and gray in color with a short stem. It has a mould
> seam in the front and back running the length of the pipe. Diameter of the
> bowl mouth is 22mm. Length of the bowl is 35mm. Length of stem is only 18mm.
> There is some discoloration on the bowl due to oxidation of metal (probably
> iron). The object comes from an archaeological site known as Port of
> Miami/Orleans (33Wo50) on the Maumee River in northwest Ohio, and dates ca.
> 1810-1850. I suspect the pipe was locally manufactured, like redware
> pottery, and post-dates CE 1850 since it comes from the surface of the site.
> White clay (kaolin) pipes (bowls and unmarked stems) were found within
> specific features and the plow zone. The site contains a residential
> structure (cabin remodeled into or succeeded by a frame house with a brick
> foundation). Digital images of the pipe can be found at the links below.
>
>
>
> http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r230/Pat_Tucker/33Wo50PipeGrayClayShortSt
> emNo425Lef.jpg
>
>
>
> http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r230/Pat_Tucker/33Wo50PipeGrayClayShortSt
> emNo425Rig.jpg
>
>
>
> http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r230/Pat_Tucker/33Wo50PipeGrayClayShortSt
> emNo425Bot.jpg
>
>
>
> Pat Tucker
>
> French Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan
>
> Detroit
>
>
>


-- 
Smoke Pfeiffer

Remember: When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!