What Is Peacock Clay?
What is Peacock Clay?
Peacock clay, also known as peacock ore, is a rare and beautiful natural clay that contains mineral pigments that result in its vibrant iridescent coloring. It is a type of copper mineral found in rock formations around the world. Peacock clay gets its name from its resemblance to the feathers of a peacock due to the colorful bands and flecks. The term “peacock ore” refers specifically to bornite, a copper iron sulfide mineral that is responsible for the blues and purples. The iron in the bornite oxidizes to limonite, producing yellows, oranges, and reddish-browns.
Peacock clay has been prized for its stunning colors and patterns for centuries. There is evidence it was used by ancient Pueblo peoples of the Southwestern United States for pottery and decorative objects. Today it remains a popular decorative and artistic material around the world, valued for its rich textures, iridescence, and one-of-a-kind designs. When polished or shaped, no two pieces of peacock clay look exactly alike.
Appearance and Color Variations
Peacock clay can exhibit a stunning array of blue, green, yellow, purple, and metallic hues. The vibrant colors come from the minerals present in the clay, especially important is iron oxide. The iron content causes the brilliant blues and purples. Other mineral impurities like chromium create a greenish tint. Calcite adds luster and a pearly quality. The more calcite, the more the peacock clay shimmers.
While blue is the most common, peacock clay can display a full spectrum. Pale blue, teal, dark inky blue, lavender, sage, olive green, gold and silver flecks appear in various deposits. The colors may occur singly or combine in stripes, swirls, and spots. Every lump and vein has a unique color pattern. The vibrant colors led to the name “peacock clay.” Just as peacock tails have an array of iridescent colors, peacock clay dazzles the eye.
The color variations primarily depend on where the clay formed geologically. Some regions have more iron or other minerals. Processing and treatments like heating can also alter the colors. Skilled artisans maximize certain hues through careful extraction and preparation methods.
Geological Origins
Peacock clay forms naturally underground through a unique geological process that takes millions of years. It begins when copper minerals permeate through cracks and fissures in igneous or sedimentary rock. This copper interacts with the surrounding minerals, causing a chemical reaction that results in vivid streaks and swirls of color.
The copper minerals that create peacock clay’s signature coloring include azurite, bornite, chalcocite and malachite. As these minerals blend and transform over time in the earth’s crust, their chemical compositions change, producing an array of shades and patterns.
In some cases, peacock clay formations may be located close to the earth’s surface, but more often they exist deep underground. Extensive mining operations are required to excavate the clay from depths of up to 300 feet below ground. The rarity and remote nature of peacock clay deposits contribute to its prized status among artists and collectors.
Chemical Composition
Peacock clay gets its distinctive coloring from its chemical makeup, which includes several key minerals and metals that provide the vibrant blue, green, and bronze hues. The main ingredients that contribute to peacock clay’s palette are:
- Copper – Provides a rich blue-green color
- Chromium – Adds brilliant yellow-green and emerald tones
- Iron – Imparts bronze, rusty red, and brown earthy shades
- Manganese – Creates lavender and violet undertones
The concentration and oxidation states of these minerals lead to the stone’s trademark swirls, veins, flecks, and marbling effects. While most clays contain these elements, the unique geological conditions that formed peacock clay produced an exceptional balance and diversity of colorful minerals.
Locations and Mining
Peacock clay is mined in mountainous and tropical regions around the world where ancient volcanic activity occurred. The largest deposits are found in Africa, South America, and Asia.
In Africa, peacock clay is extracted from deposits in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. These African mines produce vibrant shades of blue, green, and violet peacock clay. In South America, peacock clay comes from Brazil where the clay takes on brilliant hues of teal, blue-green, and bright green. Asian sources include Indonesia and India which are known for their deep green and blue-violet varieties.
Peacock clay is mined from open pit mines and underground mining operations. Extraction methods include basic hand mining as well as more advanced techniques like blasting, drilling, and mechanical excavation. The clay-rich earth is hauled out, sorted to remove impurities, and further processed to achieve uniform consistency and coloration.
Mining practices aim to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. Remediation efforts help restore mined areas once resources are exhausted. Responsible mining allows peacock clay to be extracted while minimizing environmental impacts.
Uses and Applications
Peacock clay is popular among artisans and crafters for its beautiful coloring and workability. Here are some of the common ways peacock clay is used:
Pottery and Ceramics: The vibrant colors and variations make peacock clay ideal for handcrafted pottery and ceramic pieces. Skilled potters can shape peacock clay into stunning functional wares like mugs, vases, bowls, and more. The finished pieces showcase the clay’s signature colors and patterns.
Jewelry: Jewelers often use peacock clay to create colorful, unique beads for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The striking colors and ability to polish peacock clay beads result in jewelry unlike anything found in stores.
Cosmetics: Various cosmetic companies incorporate peacock clay into mineral makeup, soap, and skincare products. The clay’s beneficial properties and pigments add value to beauty products. Its soft texture also makes it suitable for cosmetic masks.
Paints: Artists can dry and powder peacock clay to create vivid watercolor or acrylic paints. The dazzling blue-greens, shimmering golds, and deep violets make paints ground from peacock clay highly prized.
Ornaments and Decor: Peacock clay’s striking colors and patterns lend well to small decorative objects. Skilled artisans handcraft peacock clay into small sculptures, holiday ornaments, candleholders, coasters, and wall hangings.
Artistic Qualities
Peacock clay is highly valued by artists and artisans for its ability to produce stunning visual effects. The iridescent colors and metallic sheen provide a shimmering, holographic appearance that is difficult to achieve with other clays. When carved, sculpted, or thrown on the potter’s wheel, the clay’s colors dance and shift in the light, creating a sense of movement and visual interest.
The clay’s marbling also allows artists to achieve painterly effects in three dimensions. Blending the colors by hand allows endless opportunities for abstract patterns and designs. Peacock clay enables artists to incorporate multiple shifting colors into a single piece of art, without the need for glazes or pigments.
In addition to its aesthetic qualities, peacock clay is also prized for its smooth, silky texture which responds beautifully to most sculpting and throwing techniques. It can be worked into very fine details without cracking or tearing. The malleable texture gives artisans precise control during the creative process. When fired at high temperatures, peacock clay achieves a porcelain-like hardness and finish, allowing detailed carvings and sculptures to maintain their sharp definition.
Peacock clay allows artists to infuse their works with a sense of motion, depth, and vibrancy. The shimmering colors bring life and visual richness to any medium, from pottery and sculpture to jewelry and ornamental objects. Its versatility, workability, and dynamic hues make peacock clay a favored material among artisans looking to create visually stunning works.
Pricing
Peacock clay tends to be more expensive than standard clays due to its striking visual appearance and rarity. Here are some typical price ranges:
Raw Peacock Clay
- 1 lb – $5 to $15
- 5 lbs – $20 to $60
- 25 lbs – $75 to $200
Finished Peacock Clay Products
- Small figurines or beads – $5 to $20 per piece
- Decorative bowls or vases – $20 to $100 depending on size and intricacy of design
- Larger sculptures or art pieces – Can range from $100 to over $1000 for museum quality works
As with most art mediums, the pricing for finished peacock clay products depends on the skill and reputation of the artist, as well as the uniqueness and complexity of the piece.
Maintenance and Care
Peacock clay is a porous material that requires some special care to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips for properly maintaining peacock clay items:
Keep it dry – Moisture is the enemy of peacock clay. Avoid exposing it to moisture which can cause discoloration or damage. Store clay items in a dry place and wipe spills immediately.
Dust regularly – Dust build up in the crevices can make peacock clay look dull. Use a soft brush to gently remove dust and debris.
Avoid harsh cleaners – Don’t use anything abrasive or acidic to clean peacock clay which can erode the surface. A gentle wipe with a soft cloth is best.
Protect from sun exposure – Long term sun exposure can cause fading of peacock clay’s colors. Keep pieces out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
Handle with care – Peacock clay has a soft, porous composition that can chip or ding if handled roughly. Move items carefully and avoid dropping.
By caring for peacock clay properly, you can keep unique clay pieces looking vibrant for many years.
Notable Peacock Clay Examples
Peacock clay has been used by artists and craftspeople to create stunning works due to its vivid colors and chatoyance. Here are some notable examples:
The Peacock Vase at the Smithsonian – This 19th century Chinese vase on display at the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art is a breathtaking example of the use of peacock clay. The rare vase has a vibrant blue glaze with streaks of green, yellow and red that evoke a peacock’s feathers.
Mindat Peacock Opal by Beth Dorsey – This modern peacock clay sculpture by artist Beth Dorsey depicts the head of a peacock. It exemplifies how the chatoyance of peacock clay can be used to recreate the iridescence of peacock feathers.
Peacock Feathered Wall Hanging by Donna Addis – Addis’ wall hanging crafted from peacock clay tiles demonstrates how the clay can be used in mosaics and mixed media artworks. The individually shaped tiles align to form the colorful patterned feathers of a peacock.
Peacock Tail Vessel by Patty Lakins – This vessel for holding flowers or trinkets uses blue and green hues of peacock clay to mimic the feathers and eye shapes of a peacock’s tail. It shows the range of forms peacock clay can be sculpted into.
