Valentine Clays - the first choice of the professional potter

ORIGINAL BODY (E/S 5)

We are constantly researching and developing available materials to bring you the most innovative new clays. We realised the need for a professional quality white clay body with a wide maturing range and a variety of applications. We are therefore proud to be able to introduce Earthstone Original body, a highly versatile fine white clay with a great variety of applications.

Earthstone Original matures between 1180∞-1280∞C, firing very white to give an excellent base for colour decoration. It is highly resistant to warping, cracking and thermal shock. It is also particularly suited to salt-glazing and reduction firing. This clay is highly regarded by professional potters.

The addition of a small proportion of carefully blended and graded molochite means that Earthstone Original will throw large or wide pieces easily, and is a useful modelling body too. Indeed, this clay is probably the most versatile in our range, and this is reflected in its current popularity.

EARTHSTONE ORIGINAL (E/S 5) - 20%

Earthstone Original (E/S 5) 20% is the same as the above body with the exception of additional molochite.

EXTRA SMOOTH (E/S 10)

A highly versatile fine white body with a broad range of applications, Earthstone Extra smooth matures between 1160∞C - 1280∞C. This unusually wide range means that it can be high biscuit fired to 1160∞C for low temperature earthenware glazes or biscuit fired at 1000∞C for mid temperatures earthenware/stoneware glazes. This body fires very white to give an excellent base for colour decoration. Many professional potters have already discovered that ES 10 gives tremendous results and unbeatable value. ES 10 will throw & cast extremely well and takes sprigged or stamped decoration beautifully. Like all the clays in the Earthstone range it is invaluable in situations where you need a body to perform well with a variety of making techniques & temperatures, or simply because you want a top quality clay you can rely on for high production standards.

SMOOTH TEXTURE (E/S 20)

Earthstone Smooth-Textured Material is a particularly versatile clay which matures between 1180∞C - 1300∞C. It fires very white to give an excellent base for colour decoration, while its high plasticity and remarkable handling properties make it ideal for any making process – throwing, slab-building, fine modelling, coiling or sculpture. Its low shrinkage means that it is highly resistant to warping, thermal shock & Cracking and is highly recommended for raku, salt-glazed and reduction firings also. Earthstone Smooth-Textured material is particularly suited to throwing large pieces, and the addition of specially selected and blended molochite means that it is an excellent handbuilding body too. Molochite is generally regarded as the highest quality material for adding texture to clay. Unlike low-cost silica sand used in many other handbuilding clays, molochite’s rough and uneven surface gives the clay excellent keying properties, while the low-silica composition means it has a low, uniform rate of thermal expansion which makes it extremely resistant to thermal shock.

HANDBUILDING MATERIAL (E/S 40)

We are pleased to introduce this white stoneware/raku body with exceptional handling properties. Its appearance and firing range is similar to the ES 5 body, being a quality white clay maturing between 1200∞C - 1300∞C. However, the addition of specially selected and graded molochite gives an incredibly strong clay especially suited to all handbuilding techniques. Molochite is generally regarded as the highest quality material for adding texture and strength to clay. Unlike low-cost silica sands used in may handing clays, molochite’s rough and uneven surface gives the clay excellent keying properties while it has a low, uniform rate of thermal expansion which makes it extremely resistant to thermal shock. Similar to other well-known white handbuilding clays currently on the market, but at a fraction of the price and offering greater versatility and strength. ES 40 incorporates the highest possible standards of strength, consistency and plasticity. It is heavily enough grogged to make the most extreme sculptural forms, and because of its low shrinkage and open texture, it is highly resistant to warping and cracking, making it very suitable for large sculptural pieces, hand made tiles, ceramic murals etc; in fact, any project which requires large scale slab building or coiling. Its white finish means ES 40 gives excellent results with colour, and because its shrinkage rate is so low it can be high biscuited & decorated with bright mid temperature colours. It also responds particularly well to stoneware, raku and reduction firing. Whether you are a ceramic sculptor, student or a teacher you will find that using Earthstone allows you to keep one step ahead in the field of handbuilt and sculptural ceramics.

CRANK (E/S 50)

Handbuilders and sculptors will be delighted with this superb new crank body. It is an open textured, coarsely grogged clay which still retains tremendous plasticity. Many crank bodies are currently available, but ES 50 has several advantages over the others. Firstly it is produced by the slip house method, while other manufacturers use the pan-milling technique. Pan-milling leaves the clay open to contamination, principally from lime impurities, which can lead to ‘lime popping’ and efflorescence. Lime popping occurs where calcium compounds which have contaminated the clay blow out during firing, damaging the piece. Firebrick, which is used as the principal grog in other cranks, is regularly found to be contaminated by lime, and the pan-milling method cannot remove these impurities. ES 50 uses carefully graded and selected new grog material, lime-free which provides the keying properties of firebrick, but limits the risk of contamination. Furthermore, the clay is then slip-housed, a time-consuming methods of clay preparation which virtually guarantees pure, clean, uniform clay. The use of top quality materials and painstaking production methods, resultsin an excellent clay, with all the qualities you expect from crank (eg., warp resistance, low shrinkage, excellent green and fired strength) but none of the disadvantages usually associated with lime bearing clays. The body fires between 1160∞C - 1300∞C gives toasted buff in oxidation and a rich, warm speckled orange buff under reduction.

SMOOTH TEXTURED CRANK (E/S 60)

A fine grogged alternative to our ES 50, Earthstone Smooth Textured Crank is prepared to the same high standards, but offers a finer surface and closer texture. This clay should appeal greatly to handbuilders and sculptors who require a warm, plastic clay with excellent green and fired strength,, but need a smoother finish than standard cranks can offer. ES 60 will take surface detail well, and can be used as a coarse throwing body. It is suitable for reduction firing, raku etc. Like our ES 50, it fires 1160∞C-1300∞C and gives toasted buff in oxidation and warm speckled orange buff under reduction.

TERRACOTTA CRANK (E/S 65)

Earthstone Terracotta Crank allows you to create large sculptural pieces without the risk of lime popping, commonly associated with grogged reds. A beautifully textured, richly coloured clay, ES 65 combines the warmth and excellent working properties of red clay with the strength of a crank, resulting in an exceptional building body that is ideal for all types of handbuilding processes. ES 65 fires from 1080°C - 1220°C, and like all Earthstone Clays is exceptionally warp and crack resistant.

ARCHITECTURAL BODY (E/S 70)

This clay will be of interest to anyone producing architectural ceramics – handmade tiles, relief panels, ceramic murals or restoration work. It offers extremely low shrinkage, only 6% from plastic to 1260∞C! This effectively means that you make your tile sections to cover the actual area required, instead of having to worry about shrinkage calculations. The 6% shrinkage allows just sufficient space for grouting. Architectural body fires white to off white, and so will offer excellent colour response. It is completely frost proof with excellent thermal resistance.

We are sure that you will find this clay gives you a real advantage when constructing large tile projects. It is extremely resistant to warping and cracking. Fires: 1240 – 1300∞C.

SMOOTH TEXTURED TERRACOTTA CRANK (E/S 75)

A fine grogged alternative to our ES 65, Earthstone Smooth Textured Terracotta Crank is prepared to the same high standards, but offers a finer surface and closer texture.

It will take surface detail well, can be used as a coarse throwing body and is excellent for slabbing, handbuilding and tiles.

REDUCTION (E/S 80)

This highly plastic clay is ideal for reduction firing but is also suitable for oxidation and may be salt-glazed. It has excellent resistance to warping and cracking and the high proportion of ball clay in this body makes it a real pleasure to work with. Ideal for the production of domestic tableware etc.,. This clay has been specifically developed to meet the needs of craft and studio potters. Suitable for throwing & jiggering.

Firing: 1220°C - 1300∞C.

FLECKED (E/S 90)

Many potters want to achieve the attractive, speckled effect that reduction firings give to clay. However, this is not generally possible in an electric kiln. Other flecked clays have been introduced in the past, but we believe this is the most successful yet. Based on our reduction body, this clay performs every bit as well and is just as responsive to work with. The only difference is that this clay has an attractive speckle even under oxidation. Our Flecked stoneware is perfect for anyone wanting to achieve a reduction effect in an ordinary electric kiln.

Firing 1220∞C - 1300∞C.

SPECKLED STONEWARE (ES 109)

A new body using our dry-batching method of production. Superbly plastic with an attractive speckle, made from a mixture of ball clays with medium textured silica sand added for tooth.

It will give a reduction effect when fired in an oxidising atmosphere. This body has been designed for the professional production potter and is excellent for domestic ware with good thermal shock properties.

MING PORCELAIN (E/S 120)

An ancient Chinese formula, extremely white very translucent body. One of the best throwing porcelains with excellent standing properties. Fluxed with a slow acting flux to minimise slumping. Intended for cones 7-10.

Firing 1220∞C - 1280∞C.

WHITE EARTHENWARE (E/S 130)

A plastic white clay which throws well on the wheel. Its main advantages are excellent colour response and a wide firing range, which makes it ideal for school use. It casts well and has been designed to accept most commercial low fire glazes.

A smooth clay with no grog added, it matures between 1060°C - 1150°C.

GOLDEN HARVEST (E/S 150)

A beautifully smooth rich golden harvest yellow body, Earthstone Golden Harvest will throw and cast extremely well and takes sprigged or stamped decoration beautifully. This body is highly resistant to warping, cracking and thermal shock and a range of glazes which fit perfectly can be recommended. Due to its unusually wide firing range ES 150 is equally suitable for both Stoneware and Earthenware,

Firing between 1180∞C - 1280∞C.

SPECIAL (E/S 160)

ES 160 fires white to give an excellent base for colour decoration. Whilst its high plasticity & remarkable handling properties make it excellent for large as well as small pots. It is highly resistant to warping, cracking and thermal shock and is also particularly suited to salt-glazing & reduction firing as it will withstand high temperatures, firing 1200 - 1300°C. It has an addition of specially selected and blended molochite, which makes it incredibly versatile, this is reflected in its current popularity.

GLACIER PORCELAIN (E/S 170)

Whiteness, glass like translucency and strength are some of the qualities that attract many potters to porcelain. However, due to the very nature of the raw materials used in its production, most porcelain bodies have very little natural plasticity. To overcome this, many manufacturers add ball clay, thus sacrificing translucency and whiteness. We have found that by using the best and lowest iron bearing china clays, silicas, mineral fluxes & bentonites, we have produced a body that is very white, translucent and plastic. We feel that our new Glacier White Porcelain is one of the best porcelain bodies you will find anywhere.

Firing range: 1250°C - 1280°C

AIR DRYING (E/S 950)

Suitable for schools that may not have a kiln, Earthstone air-drying clay produces an ideal opportunity for pupils to experiment and create with clay. Manufactured by mixing fibres with the most plastic materials available. ES 950 has unrivalled strength and plasticity.

The super fine particle size allows model makers to produce very detailed forms.

ES 950 can be decorated with acrylic paints and clear varnish with excellent results.