Porcelain clay is the highest firing of ceramic wares. It is characterized by a smooth texture and uniform white color. The basic qualities of porcelain are delicacy, translucency and fineness. Porcelain can be somewhat difficult to finesse and control until you become familiar with its characteristics. I especially like to throw (form pots on the wheel) with porcelain because it is very smooth and it feels like you are forming a pot made out of cream cheese. Some of the glazes applied to the porcelain pieces are the same as on the soldate pieces; once fired, however, the colors are quite different due to the differences in the clay body.