Gerstley Borate Availability

May 4, 2011

The following was posted by Julie Brooks (Laguna) on CLAYART, excerpted from a letter to Jeff Zamek for an article he is writing:

"At present there is an estimated 19 to 20 year supply of ore which can be ground to a 200 mesh powder that potters can use in their glaze formulas. The stockpile is estimated at 3000 TONS. In early 2000 U.S. Borax announced the closing of the Gerstley borate mine. The news was published in Ceramics Monthly which led to a substantial increase in sales by potters hoping to buy enough until a suitable substitute was found. Many older potters stated they have bought enough to last a lifetime."

Back to Raw Materials