Methods and systems are provided for clay detection, clay typing, and clay volume quantification using electromagnetic measurements on a porous media sample at a low frequency less than 5000 Hz. The electromagnetic measurements are used to determine and store permittivity data that characterizes permittivity of the porous media sample at the low frequency less than 5000 Hz. The low frequency electromagnetic measurements can be performed in a laboratory, at a wellsite or other surface location. The low frequency electromagnetic measurements are nondestructive, and the results indicate that the methods and systems are highly sensitive to the existence of clays.