What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a silky, off-white powder commonly used for wellness, detox, pet, farm, and garden uses.
The DE is mined from freshwater sources in order to be called “FOOD GRADE”, which means it is safe to be used even as a food additive, and a manufacturing aid.
Diatomaceous Earth is commonly mispelled as:
…diamantis earth, deciduous earth, dianthus earth, diatomic earth, denatured earth, dimethicone earth, dalmation earth, and dichromatic earth…
However, the correct spelling is DIATOMACEOUS EARTH.
Please use the following list to navigate the topics below to get started:
What is Diatomaceous Earth: How is it Made?
Diatomaceous earth forms over long periods through the accumulation of microscopic algae called diatoms.
When these organisms die, their silica shells settle on the bottoms of lakes and oceans, gradually compacting into natural deposits of diatomite.
These sedimentary deposits can be mined using industrial equipment to harvest the raw diatomite. The material is then collected, sorted, sifted, and dried to remove most other sediments such as clays and feldspar.
Food grade diatomaceous earth is the refined mineral product with no additives, fillers, or chemical treatments. The resulting soft, fine powder can be used across personal, agricultural, and industrial applications.
What are Diatoms?
Before Diatomaceous Earth is mined and processed, it first exists as single-celled algae called Diatoms.
What makes a “diatom” so special?
- Diatoms are microscopic single-celled organisms found in oceans and freshwater lakes worldwide.
- Different regions of the world contain many unique varieties of diatoms.
- They have silica-based cell walls, unlike most plant life which has carbon-based structures.
- Diatoms are responsible for producing a large share of the Earth’s oxygen.
- Diatomaceous earth is formed from the fossilized remains of these diatoms.
Over time, it is the silica skeleton of these diatoms that remains as they fossilize into natural deposits. When mined and refined, this material becomes the soft, fine white powder known as diatomaceous earth, composed primarily of amorphous silica.
Diatomaceous Earth from Freshwater Sources
Diatomaceous earth is mined from ancient lake and seabeds where large populations of diatoms once thrived.
Each deposit is unique because the local diatom species and sediment conditions create distinct mineral compositions, which can even be used to identify regional biological patterns.
It is important to note that living algae and phytoplankton found in today’s oceans and lakes are not diatomaceous earth, as the material must first undergo a long natural fossilization process.
Many freshwater deposits, including the sources used for our DE, formed over hundreds of thousands of years and are estimated to be around 250,000 years old.
What is Diatomite?
Diatomite appears as a soft, white, crumbly rock found in ancient sediment deposits. When a deposit is discovered, samples are analyzed to determine the quality and characteristics of the diatoms before a mine is developed.
Diatomite is the general term used for all grades of diatomaceous earth.
Some grades are not suitable for handling or exposure, which is why distinctions such as food-grade and non-food-grade DE are important.
What Makes it Food Grade DE?
To qualify as food grade, diatomaceous earth must contain less than 2% crystalline silica.
Many deposits in the United States average around 0.5%, while our product contains less than 0.01%.
- Food grade DE must also remain pure, without additives or unnecessary impurities.
Our DE averages about 89% amorphous silica and is sourced from a long-established freshwater deposit in the Nevada region of the United States, known for producing high-quality material used in agricultural, personal, and industrial applications.
Types of Silica
Silica occurs in several forms, including crystalline quartz and amorphous silica. Quartz commonly appears as recognizable crystals or translucent rock, while diatomaceous earth is composed of amorphous silica derived from fossilized diatom shells.
Unlike quartz or chalk, DE particles retain the microscopic structure of diatoms, giving the powder its highly porous and absorbent qualities.
A small portion of this amorphous silica can be converted in the body into orthosilicic acid, a bioavailable form of silica associated with collagen production and commonly linked to benefits for skin, hair, and nails.
Crystalline Silica
When silica forms under intense heat or pressure, its molecules align into a crystalline structure similar to glass. In some industrial processes, diatomite can be treated in ways that convert amorphous silica into this crystalline form.
- Crystalline silica–based diatomaceous earth (non food grade) is used for certain industrial applications but can be harmful if inhaled over long periods.
For this reason, it is important to distinguish these non-food-grade forms from food-grade DE, which remains primarily amorphous silica and is labeled accordingly.
Risks, Hazards, and Side Effects (Non-Food Grade)
Risks associated with non food grade diatomaceous earth typically relate to crystalline silica forms used in industrial products, which can pose respiratory hazards if inhaled repeatedly.
- These materials are usually labeled with warnings and may appear in products such as silica desiccant packets used for moisture control.
By contrast, we offer only high-purity food-grade diatomaceous earth, carefully sourced for safe use across a wide range of applications.
Ready to Explore How to Use DE?
If you want to get acquainted with how to use DE, we recommend our Diatomaceous Earth Uses page.
Shopping Online for Food Grade DE?
If your shopping, our online store is the best place where to buy Diatomaceous Earth in Canada.