One of the most commonly asked questions is “What is the difference between bone china and fine china?” There are lots of misconceptions about what makes bone china different from fine china in the online world, so we at House Journey, a retailer of high-end tableware from brands like Royal Albert, Royal Doulton and Noritake, thought we'd share with you what we tell our customers.
First of all, let me start by saying bone china does not mean stronger china. I repeat, bone china does not mean stronger china. If you are looking to buy bone china because you believe it is unlikely to chip compared to fine china, don't, because the difference lies in the materials used.
The main difference between bone china and fine china is that bone china mixes cow bone ash into the ceramic material. This is done not to make the material stronger, but to give it a unique color tone. Bone china has a creamy, soft white color compared to fine china (or fine porcelain) which is white but without any cow bone ash content. By mixing the bone ash in the ceramic material, it gives your china a warm, soft-looking color and translucency. It's easier to see the difference when you hold a cup up to the light. You will find that bone china is more translucent and lets in more light compared to fine china.
So, it all comes down to your preference. If you prefer a creamy white color in your china, you should choose bone china. But be careful when selecting your bone china as you might risk paying more for what you are getting. Unfortunately, at this stage, the industry does not have a standard on the minimum cow bone ash content needed to claim chinaware as bone china. So, it doesn't matter if the china only has 5% or 30% bone ash content, they can both claim to be "bone china". Not many people know this and pay more for low-quality bone china.
When buying quality bone china, you definitely want to make sure it is of the quality that they claim to be! Ask the store or brand how much bone ash content is in that product. Brands like Noritake have a cow bone ash content of over 30%, and this is what we at House Journey consider to be a high-quality standard.
Final Thoughts:
In conclusion, when shopping for bone china, it's essential to look for pieces that not only match your personal style and taste but also are made with quality materials and construction techniques. The bone ash content, color, and translucency are important considerations to keep in mind when selecting bone china. And where you buy from matters too! Get the best bone china pieces from House Journey. Our carefully curated collection of high-quality, stylish bone china offers the perfect addition to any home. Shop with confidence and enjoy fast flat-rate shipping Australia-wide.
