Is bone china really that much better than porcelain?

Question

I opted to get porcelain dishes in place of the bone china dishes that we originally registered for because they looked pretty much the same to me and the price was much better.

Am I going to be disappointed?

I know that bone china is lighter and more translucent, but I didn't really see these as necessary qualities. Am I missing something?

Answer 1

They will be just fine, unless you have alot of "formal" dinners - where they would just be too clunky.  I assume that your glassware is also a little heavier then too ......   There IS a big difference in the cups though.  The lip on porcelain is definitely noticeable, as opposed to the thin lip of the bone china.  Coffee and tea does seem to taste better from bone china cups; so you might want to get some that match your dishes......

Answer 2

Your right in saying Bone China is  lighter  and more translucent and I think that's the only thing going for it.

Bone China is a much better conductor of heat  and the number of times I have burnt my lips with the cup is horrendous. fortunately I am down to only two cups left now with that set,  I think in porcelain you have made a better practical choice

Answer 3

This is a pretty cool question. It depends on what you are going to use them for. Remember that porcelain does not let bacteria gow on it. It is completely non-porous. Bone china, while much more radiant, can break easier. Not much easier though. Fine china is for display, while you can feel comfortable eating off of porcelain for sanitary and safety reasons.

Answer 4

If you don't already have service for twelve, clear some space on your shelves. Veteran china man Michael C. Fina and the experts at Lenox define the terms you'll need to know when making your choices.

By Susan Avery Published Fall 2005

China

A nonporous (won’t absorb water) type of clayware made of special white clay and fired at exceptionally high temperatures.

Transclucency

The quality by which light passes through an object. In high-quality china, your hand will be visible through the back of the plate when held up to a bright light.

Vitreous

Literally, like glass, meaning the ceramic is nonporous. Vitrified products are usually dishwasher- and microwave-safe; they are also much stronger.

Bone China

China made with real or synthetic bone ash to add bright white coloring.  Bone china is very strong, and is more resistant to chipping than the other porcelains.

Porcelain

A hard, translucent clayware that differs slightly from china in ingredients and manufacturing processes.  Porcelain is white, glassy and very dense and if struck will ring with a high tone.”

So you can't really go wrong with either choice.  Delicate china is typically either bone china or procelain since it is strong enough to withstand use while being light-weight and translucent.  Either one will do the job.

The only thing I would suggest is that if you choose a pattern that includes a metalic platinum or gold band that you make sure it is dishwasher safe.  The metal will make it inappropriate for use in the microwave--something to keep in mind.