The word "china" is a generic term that is used to describe dinnerware that is of fine clay quality. There are three different types of china: the hard paste china, the soft paste china and then the bone china. The hard paste china is made from a mixture of petuntse and kaolin. The soft paste china has gypsum or sand. Then the bone china makes use of kaolin, bone ash, and petuntse, which, when mixed together form the hardest kind of china around.
Bone china is known to be one of the finest kinds of china. The term denotes a form of porcelain that was first manufactured in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France on a commercial scale. It can easily be identified from all other chinaware through the translucent effect of the piece. With this kind of china, you can see its glass-like surface even beyond the many enamel paints or decals. It is also lighter than any other kinds of china around.
Bone china is also known to be very durable. What makes it different from the other types of china around is that of how it is made. As its very name suggests, bone china is made from real bones. Animal bones are scraped of any remaining muscle or tissue. The bones are then heated in temperatures as high as 1000 degrees Celsius in order to sterilize it, making it safe for use. The ash of the bone is then crushed further and then it is mixed with water. The product is then added to some form of porcelain mixture that is made out of kaolin and petuntse. These are two ingredients that are commonly used in clay. Your average plate made from bone china is about fifty percent made from animal bone.
The durability of this kind of china does not mean that you do not have to take good care of it. Like any other dinnerware, this kind of china can develop some cracks, chips or break thereby lowering its value.
The best way of washing bone china is by hand. For those that are labeled dishwasher safe, extra care must be taken when loading them into the dishwasher. If you plan to use this method of washing, make sure that your dishwasher is working fine without any exposed rack metals.
Sudden temperatures inside the dishwasher can weaken the bone china so you should see to it that proper temperature is consistent all throughout the washing process. Use only a small amount of detergent as the chemicals are also known to damage the pieces.
What makes this product valuable, thus expensive is that the collection of the materials cost more than those used for soft or hard-paste porcelain. Well-established potteries built their reputation on quality and design, which tradition is continued up to present date. The enamels and other printing materials used in the production process all add up to the cost as well.
The product is an expertly designed, delicate and translucent piece strong enough for fine dining. While bone china is considered a luxury, many people think that it is still worth the investment because it is practical as well as durable.
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