Clay Bodies for Cone 6 Pottery
Updated: Sep 16
What Is a Clay Body?
A clay body is a mixture of clay and other minerals formulated for particular working and firing characteristics. Different clay bodies vary in color, texture, plasticity, strength and how they interact with glazes.
At Throw Clay LA, we fire to Cone 6 in our electric and gas kilns. The Cone 6 clay bodies used in our studio include white and porcelain-like clays, speckled and buff stonewares, and warm red and brown stonewares. Each behaves differently while being formed and develops its own color and surface after firing.
Choosing a clay body depends on what you want to make, how you like to work, and the surface you want after firing.
Common Clay Bodies for Cone 6 Pottery:
White & Porcelain-Like Clay Bodies
Best for: Functional ware, carving, fine detail
Smooth White Stoneware
A smooth, versatile stoneware that works well for wheel throwing and handbuilding. Its light surface keeps glaze colors clear and makes it a good choice for functional ware and pieces with crisp lines. We typically carry B-Mix and B-Mix with Speckles.
Porcelain
Fine-grained and smooth, porcelain can become translucent in thin sections and requires careful drying and trimming. Its surface works particularly well for carving, slip inlay and refined forms.
Porcelain-Stoneware Blend
A hybrid clay that combines some of the working strength of stoneware with the smooth surface and fine texture associated with porcelain. It works well for functional forms and detailed surface work.
An ear pod tea kettle made from white clay. A tall vase made from white stoneware with finishes handbuilt. B-Mix vases ready for bisque firing.
Speckled & Buff Stoneware
Best for: Rustic surfaces, warm tones
Speckled Buff Clay
A warm buff stoneware containing manganese speckles that remain visible through many glazes. Its color and texture make it particularly well suited to functional forms such as mugs, bowls and planters.
Toasty Buff Stoneware
A slightly darker buff stoneware with warm natural variation. Its earthy fired color works particularly well with glazes that allow some of the clay body to remain visible.
Tip: Transparent or celadon glazes highlight the speckles beautifully.
A composite pot made with speckled stoneware. A rustic flower vase from speckled buff clay. Beautifully finished speckled buff mug by member Jessica Diggs.
Warm & Dark Stoneware
Best for: Sculptural work, contrast decoration
Rich Brown Clay
An iron-bearing stoneware that fires to a rich brown and creates strong contrast with lighter glazes, slips and surface decoration.
Red-Brown Clay
A warm red-brown stoneware suitable for both wheel throwing and handbuilding. Its fired color can become an important part of the finished surface, particularly where clay is left exposed.
Deep Red Clay
An iron-rich clay body that fires to a deep brick-red color. The darker clay provides strong contrast with white slip, underglaze and lighter glazes.
A rich brown clay teapot thrown and carved. A tall handbuilt peacock vase in red clay. Bailey building a lamp base out of deep red clay.
Buying Clay at Throw Clay LA
We typically carry a rotating selection of clay bodies for cone 6 pottery suitable for both wheel and handbuilding. These clays are available for use by members and students, and also for purchase by nonmembers.
If you’re curious to experiment with a clay body not carried in the studio, ask your instructor or studio manager for guidance.
Clay purchased by nonmembers is for off-site use only and does not include firing (bisque or glaze). We do not fire work produced off-site.
Clay Body Comparison Chart
Clay Body | Color | Texture | Often Used For | Notes |
Smooth White Stoneware | White | Smooth | Functional ware, general use | Versatile stoneware |
White with Speckles | White + iron flecks | Smooth | Functional ware | Warm visible speckles |
Bright White Midrange | White | Silky | Underglaze, surface design | Porcelain-like surface |
Porcelain | White | Fine | Carving, fine detail | Can be translucent when thin |
Porcelain-Stoneware Blend | Light gray | Smooth | Functional ware, tableware | Fine-textured hybrid body |
Speckled Buff | Buff + speckles | Medium | Mugs, bowls, planters | Manganese speckles |
Toasty Buff | Buff | Medium | Functional ware | Warm natural variation |
Rich Brown | Brown | Coarse | Surface contrast | Iron-bearing stoneware |
Red-Brown | Red-brown | Smooth | Wheel throwing, handbuilding | Warm fired color |
Deep Red | Brick red | Firm | Sculpture, surface contrast | Iron-rich clay body |
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “best” clay—it’s about how it feels in your hands and how it fits your creative vision. Try a few, test your glazes, and let the clay teach you something new each time.
About Throw Clay LA
Whether you’re curious to try pottery for the first time or ready to develop your skills, Throw Clay LA offers one-time pottery experiences, six-week Build Skills courses, and six-week Refine & Explore courses in wheel throwing and handbuilding at our studio in Downtown Los Angeles.
We also offer pottery workshops and private pottery events for groups, while studio memberships provide experienced potters with dedicated space and time to pursue their own work, along with access to studio equipment, glazes, firing services and free weekly Member Clinics.
