What is the Difference Between Bone China and Porcelain

The main difference between bone china and porcelain is that bone china is thinner, lighter, and stronger than porcelain.

Bone china is a special type of porcelain and contains bone ash as a major ingredient. Bone ash is a white material made from the calcification of animals. In fact, we can describe bone china as the strongest type of porcelain in the market.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Bone China 
      – Definition, Features
2. What is Porcelain
      – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Bone China and Porcelain
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Bone China, Porcelain

What is Porcelain

Porcelain is a ceramic material made of fine-particle clay that is fired at a higher temperature. Kaolin is typically the main ingredient in porcelain production. Other raw materials for porcelain production include feldspar, quartz, ball clay, glass, and bone ash. Once the clay is moulded into shape, it has to be fired in a kiln to higher temperatures (usually between 1,200 and 1,400 °C). After the firing, porcelain pieces develop a hard, glass-like, and translucent surface. Sometimes potters coat the items with pigments and a glaze before firing.

Porcelain was first discovered and used by the Chinese; We also use the name china to refer to porcelain. Furthermore, porcelain materials are extremely durable and nonporous. They tend to have thin and delicate designs, as well as a translucent appearance. Moreover, porcelain has three main categories as hard-paste, soft-paste, and bone china.

What is Bone China

Bone china is a type of porcelain made with bone ash, china clay, and china stone. A combination of this is mixed with porcelain clay and fired. But the temperature in bone china production is typically lower than that of porcelain production. The quality of bone china actually depends on the bone ash content. The best bone china has at least 30% bone.

Bone china is a lightweight, durable, and elegant material. The main use of it is in the creation of tableware and teaware (plates, bowls, mugs, teacups, etc.). Bone china is a light and delicate material having a milky, almost translucent appearance. It is also the strongest of porcelain ceramics and has a high mechanical and physical strength and chip resistance. Since it has high strength, it can have thinner cross-sections than other types of porcelain.

You can verify the authenticity of bone china by looking at the trademark and manufacturer name on the underside of an item. But if the ceramic item is old and the readings are hard to read, hold it up to light and place your finger behind it – if it’s authentic, you should be able to see your fingers through the translucent material.

Difference Between Bone China and Porcelain

Definition

Porcelain is a ceramic material made of fine-particle clay that is fired at a higher temperature, while bone china is a type of porcelain made with bone ash, china clay, and china stone.

Temperature

The firing temperature in bone china production is typically lower than the firing temperature in porcelain production.

Composition

Bone china contains bone ash, china clay, and china stone, whereas porcelain consists of kaolin,  feldspar, and quartz.

Strength

Bone china is the strongest type of porcelain.

Appearance

Moreover, bone china is not as bright white as porcelain and has a more off-white color.

Weight

Porcelain is heavier than bone china, which is lighter and thinner.

Conclusion

Bone china is a special type of porcelain and contains bone ash as a major ingredient. The main difference between bone china and porcelain is that bone china is thinner and lighter than porcelain. But bone china is also strong and durable.

Reference:

1. “What is Bone China.” Purewow.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Vintage Fine Bone China Teacup and Saucer – Sweet Pea – Made in England” By Jennie Ivins (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Photo of table, coffee, tea, teapot, home, cup, equipment, saucer, ceramic, drink, set, milk, espresso, coffee cup, tableware, kitchenware, material, living, design, silver, dishes, can, domestic, porcelain, crockery, dishware” (CC0) via Pxhere