What is clay made of?

Clay is a soft, earthy material made up of a number of minerals rich in alumina, silica and water. Clay can also contain other minerals that affect the characteristics of the clay.

Clay is formed from the weathering and erosion of rocks from the mineral group feldspar and is made of particles with a grain size of less than 4 micrometers. Clay is common and can be found all over the world. When wet, most clays can be molded and formed into shapes. When exposed to very high temperatures, clay can become as hard as stone. Clay is used to make various things such as bricks and pottery.