Investments in Joint Ventures - Investments in and Advance to Affiliates and Joint Venture (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Ashapura Volclay Limited [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	50.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method
CETCO-Bentonit Uniao Technologias Ambientais Ltda. [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	50.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method
Egypt Bentonite & Derivatives Co. [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	30.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method
Egypt Mining & Drilling Co. [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	31.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method
Egypt Nano Technologies Co. [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	27.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method
Maprid Tech Cast, S.A. de C.V. [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	49.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method
Novinda Corporation [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Cost Method (in hundredths)	16.00%
Accounting Policy - Cost Method	Cost Method
Volclay de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	49.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method
Volclay Japan Co., Ltd. [Member]
Equity method investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures [Abstract]
Ownership Interest - Equity Method (in hundredths)	50.00%
Accounting Policy - Equity Method	Equity Method