Identification: Kaolin is a soft, lightweight, often chalk-like sedimentary rock that has an earthy odor, and in Florida is generally light in color and associated with large amounts of quartz sand. Kaolin is composed chiefly of the clay mineral kaolinite, the crystals of which are so small that they can be seen only under the electron microscope. Kaolin is generally quite porous and will stick to the tongue; it also has the distinctive property of slaking or disintegrating rapidly when placed in water.

Occurrence: Florida has a very large known reserve of Kaolin, the largest deposits occurring in the east central part of the State from Southern Clay County to Northern Highlands County. A smaller deposit occurs in west Florida in a narrow belt extending from Jackson County into Santa Rosa County.