An improved organophilic clay gellant which is the reaction product of a smectite-type clay, an organic cation and, optionally, an organic anion. The cation from the smectite-type clay, the anion from the organic cation and, if present, the cation form the organic anion form a by-product which is water, a gas, an insoluble compound or a mixture thereof. The or­ganophilic clay gellant can exhibit improved efficiency and dispersibility. In a process for preparing an organophilic clay gellant which constitutes a further aspect of the present invention, significant advantages can be observed since the liquid remaining after the organophilic clay gellant is separated form the reaction mixture can be recycled for further use without detrimental effect on the quality of the organophilic clay gellant thereafter produced.