Kaolin, KAY uh lihn, is a pure white clay made of feldspar that has decomposed. It consists of the mineral kaolinite. Kaolin occurs as a fine powder made of tiny platelike crystals. It is widely used for making the highest grades of pottery. The word kaolin comes from a Chinese word meaning high hill. Kaolin is also called china clay and porcelain clay. Important kaolin-producing countries are the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Kaolin-producing states include Georgia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina.