THE CLAY MINERALS SOCIETY
SOURCE CLAYS PROJECT
The Source
Clays Repository is moving to Purdue University. We will be closed until the move is completed. We regret that no orders can be accepted at
this time.
Please
continue to check the web site for new information on our re-opening. Our goal is to open the repository by the
beginning of October. We are very sorry
for any inconvenience the temporary closing has caused to your research. If you have any questions please contact the
interim curator at
mailto:Candice.Johns@oildri.com
By the early 1970's the need for sources of homogeneous clay samples had become apparent to researchers. Natural deposits are so variable that data generated by different investigators working at the same outcrop often cannot be compared with confidence. Thus the Clay Minerals Society set up the Source Clays Project.
The Society's Source Clay Repository offers two series of materials, the Source Clays and the Special Clays.
The Source Clays are derived from large, reasonably homogenized stocks. Thus, over the years, data on these reference materials can be compared. The samples have been carefully selected from the source deposits by professionals to minimize in situ variations. Because any beneficiation technique can bring about changes in properties, pre-treatment usually involves only low-temperature, steam-fired tray drying, and imp or Raymond mill pulverization. Each original sample consisted of one metric ton.
The Special Clays are rare but of great theoretical interest. No attempt has been made to homogenize or beneficiate them.
Data on the CMS Source Clays are available
in the October (2001) issue of Clays and Clay Minerals, Volume 49, Number 5, pages 371-453.
A list of the available Source Clays can be found at:
A list of the available Special Clays can be found at:
A bibliography of literature pertaining to the source clays may be obtained from:
Physical/chemical data for the Source Clays may be obtained at:
Materials Safety Data Sheets for the Source Clays may be obtained at:
The following Source Clays are completely depleted.
WE WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING NEW SOURCES OR SUPPLIERS OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:
- CorWa-1 Corrensite, Packwood, Washington (Ohanapecosh Form.) Altered Eocene tuff, containing 25-50% corrensite; quartz and plagioclase impurities separable by wet sedimentation. Need new supplier.
- NG-1 Nontronite, Hohen Hagen, Germany, Nontronite-cemented sand (15-20% nontronite), easily separated by wet sedimentation (Char. by Schneiderhoehn, Tschermaks Min. u. Pet. Mitt., 10, 385-399, 1965). Need new supplier.
- SepNev-1 Sepiolite, Two Crows, Nevada (pub. ref Clays and Clay Minerals, v. 26, p. 58-64, 1978). Need new supplier.
- VTx-1 Vermiculite, Llano, Texas, USA, a mixture of magnesite, phlogopite, and vermiculite. The vermiculite can be separated by hand picking. Plans made to replace.
Ordering Information
The prices for Source and Special Clays include surface postage.
Air postage is additional. If air postage is desired, please estimate this and
include it with your payment. Checks or money orders should be made out in U.S.
dollars, on a U.S. bank. However; no payment will be
accepted at this time. Please visit
this web site after September 2 for more details on the re-opening of the
repository.
The clays offered by the Source Clays Project change frequently because of new acquisitions and depletion of old supplies. The Source Clays Project is always grateful for new acquisitions, particularly of clays that have become depleted. If you are able to provide access to a new source of source or special clays, please contact the curator
Other Sources of Clays and Related Minerals
Ward's Natural Science Establishment, Inc.
P.O. Box 92912
Rochester, NY 14692-9012
Phone: 800-962-2660
FAX: 800-635-8439
Ward's Natural Science Establishment Web site
Source of a variety of mineral standards and teaching aids.
Minerals Research
31 Sherwood Drive
Brockport, New York 14420
Phone: 585-637-4915
FAX: 585-395-2416
Email: fmumpton@frontiernet.net
Source of a variety of clay and zeolite hand and reference samples and
tetrahedral models of zeolites.
