China clays, also known as kaolin, are a type of clay mineral commonly found in China and used in a variety of industries, including ceramics, paper, and cosmetics. Synonyms for china clays include porcelain clay, white clay, ball clay, fire clay, kaolinite, and terra alba. Porcelain clay refers specifically to a high-quality form of china clay that is used in the production of fine porcelain. White clay and ball clay are more general synonyms that encompass a broader range of clays used for various purposes. Fire clay is a type of kaolin that is exceptionally resistant to heat and is used in refractory materials, while terra alba is a lower-grade kaolin used in papermaking.