What makes Fine Bone China so special

First things first…. What is Fine Bone China?

Fine Bone china is a durable, lightweight and elegant material that is most commonly used for table & dining ware as well as mugs and tea cups

Bone china is made from a combination of china clay, china stone and bone ash. This produces a light, delicate material with a milky, almost translucent appearance.

The quality of one china is determined by the amount of bone ash used. The highest quality will include up to 45% although the industry standard is 30%

Slip pouring in a Heritage factory in Stoke-on-Trent

Fine Bone china is the strongest of the Porcelain & China ceramics meaning it’s more durable and is suitable for everyday use. That said the light, refined material also makes it perfect for special occasions. It is both chip resistant and strong while still luxurious and if looked after well it can be passed down through generations

Hand finishing with water slide decal before final coating and firing

What’s the differences between Fine Bone China and China & Porcelain?

The main difference between bone china and fine china is the different material components. Fine bone china contains ‘bone ash’, which is ash made from animal bones (usually those of a cow) This cow bone ash gives bone china it’s unique, creamy, soft colour it’s famous for. China on the other hand doesn’t include any bone ash and is a brighter, whiter colour.

You can see the difference between the two if you lift them to the light. Fine bone china will be translucent and will let in more light, whereas china is denser and will block any light coming through.

As well as composition differences, Fine Bone China is thinner and lighter than China and Porcelain. Porcelain is heavier and more brittle and more likely to chip.

Porcelain is a combination of feldspar, quartz and kaolin. These materials are fired in a kiln at temperatures up to 1400°C, resulting in a hard, white, non-porous pottery. Compared to bone china, porcelain tends to be significantly heavier and more brittle, which can lead to chipping.

A Brief History

“The first development of bone china was made by Thomas Frye at his Bow Porcelain Factory near Bow in East London in 1748. His factory was located close to the cattle markets and slaughterhouses of London’s East End, so he had easy access to the animal bones needed to create the bone ash used in bone china. He originally called his formulation ‘fine porcelain, uses up to 45% bone ash in his products.”

Later on, during the 1790’s the British Fine Bone China industry as we know it now, evolved in Stoke-on-Trent. It was originally called Stoke China and developed by pioneers such as Josiah Spode. After Spode’s death, his son renamed the product “Bone China” Due to its sudden popularity, Bone China manufacture quickly took off in the area that we now call “The Potteries”  

A model of one of the original “Potteries” factories in Stoke-on-Trent

 Caring for your Fine Bone China

Is bone china microwave safe? Yes, most Fine Bone China (depending on its decoration) is microwave safe, dishwasher safe and oven safe.

For the longevity and care of your fine bone china it’s best to occasionally soak them in white vinegar for about 3-5 minutes, then rinse and towel dry. You can also remove coffee and tea stains from mugs but rubbing a paste of baking soda and water into the stains before rinsing and drying

Bertie Bee

Fine Bone China Jug

These 1/2 pint Fine BoneChina jugs make the perfect bud Vase.

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