The Yaylayolu kaolin deposit is situated in the vicinity of Tavşanlı, Kütahya, western Turkey. Mineral identification and characterization studies were conducted using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analyses (DTA), scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The degree of crystallinity, Hinckley's index (HI) and the Stoch index (SI) values were determined for kaolinite from the deposit.Five representative samples from the kaolin deposit were used for ceramic technological tests. Particle size distribution, pH value, loss on ignition, A12O3, Fe2O3and TiO2contents were determined, drying shrinkage, firing shrinkage, dry bend strength, fired bend strength, water absorption, pfefferkorn plasticity index, whiteness of the fired and unfired samples (L* value) and bulk density were measured. The kaolin was found to be suitable for making white cement and wall tiles, floor tiles, and tableware items which are shaped by dry pressing and extrusion.

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Dacitic andesitic calc-alkaline lavas and their pyroclastic rocks of Upper Cretaceous age are widespread in the Ordu area, eastern Black Sea Coast of Turkey. Ca-bentonite and Ca/Nabentonite deposits with significant economic potential formed in the broader region. The mineralogy and geochemistry of these deposits were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analyses. The parent rocks (PR) and bentonite samples were analysed for the major and trace element contents, including rare-earth elements, to understand the effect of differential alterations on element mobility. The bentonites contain mainly di-octahedral Ca-montmorillonite with minor amounts of illite, quartz, calcite, dolomite and feldspar. Primary K-feldspar and plagioclase phenocrysts were altered in the bentonite horizons, and were completely leached at greater depth. For this reason, the higher quality bentonites are found at deeper zones. Bentonite horizons are characterized by relatively high loss on ignition (LOI: 9.8–20.8%) and MgO content (3–5%) and low K2O (<0.5%) and Na2O (<2%) contents compared with the least altered parent rocks. Silicon, Ca, Mg, Mn and P are markedly enriched whereas Fe, Na, K and Ti are depleted in the bentonite samples. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns show identical trends characterized by strong light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment in both the PR and bentonite samples. The LREE contents are higher than those of their heavy counterparts (HREE) in the samples. Alteration of the PR to bentonite is associated with intense chemical leaching and subsequent removal of K and Na in open-system conditions.

The Şahin-village clay deposit, situated in the vicinity of Kütahya, western Turkey, has a promising reserve suitable for tile production. In order to evaluate its potential use, 27 clay samples were collected and their mineralogical, chemical, firing and technological properties were evaluated. The reaction of samples with dilute HCl, dispersion in water and their swelling properties were determined. Mineral identification studies were conducted using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analyses (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Analysis showed that clay minerals are illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite. Non-clay minerals are quartz, muscovite, microcline and goethite. The clay samples consisted mainly of SiO2 and Al2O3 corresponding to about 81–83% (average) because of the presence of clay minerals and quartz, accompanied by a significant amount of iron oxide. Mineralogical, chemical, thermal analysis and technological tests showed that the clays from Şahin village could be used for stoneware tiles, tile and brick-making.

The strata that include the fine purple opal formations examined in this paper from the magmagenetic hydrothermal dissolutions. The opals are locally known as Gevrekseydi purple opals. These opal-bearing strata are deposited in volcanic lavas and tuffs in the Seyitömer-Kütahya region of western Turkey. The purple opals are common-type and attractive gem-quality, and they are sold on the worldwide gem markets. We conducted mineralogical investigations to clarify their silica building components, measure their nano-size, and determine their origins. The opals are an opal-CT (opal-cristobalite/tridymite)-type silica polymorph with the variable number of cristobalite and tridymite layers. The cristobalite and tridymite stacking sequences were evaluated in terms of maturation, crystallite size, and genesis of the opaline silica material. These sequences are modelled using X-ray diffraction patterns. The relationship between the crystallite size and full width at half maximum values of the Gevrekseydi purple opals were also examined using X-ray diffraction patterns. The crystallite sizes were found to be L=17 nm for the main opal-CT peak (4.09 Å), L=23 nm for the shoulder opal-CT peak (4.29 Å), and L=27 nm for the opal-CT/C peak (2.51 Å).Given the relationship between the crystallite size and maturation of opal-CT, the Gevrekseydi volcanic common purple opals are most likely in a stage of early to mid maturation