Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Calcium Montmorillonite — what it is, what it does, and why source matters.
The Basics
What is Calcium Montmorillonite?
Calcium Montmorillonite is a naturally occurring mineral clay formed over millions of years through hydrothermal activity. It belongs to the smectite group — the only family of clays with the ability to both adsorb and absorb. It contains 77+ minerals and trace elements in naturally occurring ratios, and has been used for centuries in agriculture, animal husbandry, and human health.
Is Calcium Montmorillonite the same as Bentonite?
No — and this distinction matters. Both are smectite clays, but they are fundamentally different products. Bentonite is sodium-dominant, swells aggressively when wet, and is used industrially as a drilling fluid, pond liner, and sealant. Calcium Montmorillonite is calcium-dominant, bioavailable, and has a centuries-long history of agricultural and therapeutic use. Bentonite's sodium dominance actually displaces calcium in soil, potentially degrading it over time. Our product does the opposite — it remineralizes. We mine diamonds, not coal.
Where does your mineral come from?
Our Calcium Montmorillonite is mined from a high-grade deposit in the Ivanpah Basin of the Mojave Desert. There are only a limited number of true Calcium Montmorillonite deposits in the world — the mineral was first identified in Montmorillon, France in the 1800s. Our deposit carries the same rare classification: smectite group, negatively charged, crystallized through hydrothermal activity.
How is your mineral processed?
Minimally. It is mined, refined to remove non-clay material, and delivered. No chemical treatment, no blending with other materials, no additives. The OMRI classification of our product is "NOP Mined Minerals — unprocessed." Every batch is lab-verified and traceable to our mine.
Agricultural Use
Why do soils need remineralization?
Decades of intensive farming, chemical fertilizers, and monoculture have stripped trace minerals from most commercial soils. Plants grown in mineral-deficient soil produce food that is nutritionally deficient regardless of appearance. The correlation between soil mineral content and crop nutrient density — measurable via brix — is well established. You cannot grow a nutritionally complete crop from an incomplete soil.
What does Calcium Montmorillonite do for soil?
It delivers 77+ minerals in plant-available ratios, improves water retention through its swelling and holding properties, supports beneficial microbial communities, and improves soil structure. Healthy soil should contain roughly one third clay — most depleted farmland is a fraction of that. Calcium Montmorillonite restores that structural and mineral foundation.
What is brix and why does it matter?
Brix measures the dissolved solids in plant juice — sugars, amino acids, minerals, proteins, and other compounds. High brix generally correlates with high nutrient density and flavor. A refractometer measures brix from two drops of juice. Mineral-deficient soils produce low-brix crops. Remineralized soils produce high-brix crops that are more nutritious, more flavorful, and more resistant to disease and pests.
Which minerals in your product are most important for plants?
Silicon (3,607 ppm) strengthens cell walls and improves stress resistance. Potassium (1,454 ppm) drives water regulation, enzyme activation, and fruit development. Magnesium (2,657 ppm) is the central atom in chlorophyll — without it, photosynthesis fails. Sulfur (367 ppm) is essential for protein synthesis and enzyme function. Iron (1,978 ppm) drives nitrogen fixation and energy transfer. All 77+ elements work in concert — the natural ratios are as important as the individual values.
Is it certified organic?
Our mineral previously held OMRI certification as a naturally occurring mined mineral for use in certified organic production — classified under NOP Mined Minerals, unprocessed, Crop Fertilizers and Soil Amendments. Re-certification is currently in progress. Contact us for current status.
Health & Wellness Use
How does Calcium Montmorillonite work as a detoxifier?
The hydrothermal process that creates Calcium Montmorillonite leaves its particles negatively charged. Toxins, heavy metals, and many pathogens carry a positive charge. The clay attracts and binds positively charged matter — adsorbing it to the surface and absorbing it into the clay structure — and carries it out of the body as waste. This is a purely physical mechanism, not a chemical one.
Why take clay for minerals when you can take supplements?
Isolated mineral supplements deliver single elements in forms the body must work to recognize. Minerals in Calcium Montmorillonite occur in natural proportion to one another — the ratios found in the earth that the body evolved alongside. Natural ratios improve absorption in the intestinal tract significantly compared to isolated supplementation. Additionally, our mineral contains 77+ elements including trace elements that are absent from most supplement formulations entirely.
What minerals in your product are most relevant to human health?
Calcium (19,572 ppm) for bone density, nerve function, and muscle contraction. Magnesium (2,657 ppm) for hundreds of enzymatic processes, sleep, and stress regulation. Potassium (1,454 ppm) for cardiovascular function and fluid balance. Silicon (3,607 ppm) for connective tissue, skin, and bone matrix. Iron (1,978 ppm) for oxygen transport. Selenium (trace) as a critical antioxidant cofactor. Iodine (trace) for thyroid function. The platinum group metals — Rhodium, Ruthenium, Palladium — present even at trace levels in ways rarely seen in commercial mineral products.
How is it used externally?
Applied as a poultice directly to skin, wounds, or inflamed areas. Mixed with water to a paste consistency and applied to the affected area. Historically used for skin conditions, open wounds, joint pain, and insect bites. Also effective as a therapeutic bath additive — add to warm water and soak. The clay draws impurities through the skin while delivering minerals transdermally.
Is it safe to ingest?
Calcium Montmorillonite has been ingested by humans and animals for centuries — animals instinctively seek out clay deposits as part of their diet. Our product is lab-verified with heavy metals well below concern thresholds: arsenic <0.50 ppm, lead 8.1 ppm, mercury <0.15 ppm, cadmium 0.09 ppm. As with any supplement, consult a healthcare provider if you have specific medical conditions or concerns.
Water & Pond Restoration
How does Calcium Montmorillonite clarify water?
Clay particles are smaller than many bacteria. When introduced to water, the negatively charged clay particles attract and surround positively charged contaminants, algae, and harmful bacteria. The bacteria become embedded in the clay and are unable to receive nourishment — they cannot survive. The clay then settles, carrying the bound material with it, leaving the water clarified and balanced.
Is it safe for koi and other aquatic life?
Yes. Calcium Montmorillonite is non-toxic to fish and aquatic life. It is used internationally in aquaculture and is beneficial to koi specifically — it supports healthy gill function, provides trace minerals to the water column, and reduces harmful bacterial loads without chemicals. Many koi keepers report improved fish health, color, and vitality after regular use.
How much do I use and how often?
Application rates vary by water volume, current condition, and desired outcome. Contact us for a recommendation specific to your pond or water feature — we're happy to walk through it with you.
Ordering & Supply
How much product do you have available?
We have approximately 10 million pounds of product available. Agricultural operations, distributors, co-ops, and wholesale buyers are encouraged to contact us directly for volume pricing and freight arrangements.
What sizes do you ship?
50 lb bags for standard agricultural and retail orders. 1,000 lb bulk totes for larger operations with freight delivery. Custom arrangements available for very large volume orders. Contact us to discuss what works for your operation.
Do you ship internationally?
Contact us for international shipping inquiries. Regulatory requirements vary by country for both agricultural and food-grade mineral products.