River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
I am curious about the calcination process used by this particular manufacturer. Companies often use metal or alkalai type fluxes in the calcination processes. The other question would be whether it has been bonded to create larger particle size. I think they refer to that process as aggomleration which involves spraying a " plastic" bonding agent on the finer particles.LOL you can message me as well. If you have seen unfired DE, it is likely more similar to akadama in that it can smash between your fingers when wet.
This product is Calcined fired in a (rotary kiln) not just dried so it is much harder than unfired DE.
From a Bonsai soil component perspective it would be interesting to know how the manufacturing process changes the DE other than to harden the structure.