What is Bone China?
Table of Contents
What is bone china?
Bone china is a lightweight and durable ceramic. Its unique properties come from the materials it’s made of. These materials include bone ash, feldspar, kaolin, and clay.
Bone china is renowned for being translucent but incredibly strong. Therefore, when you hold a piece of bone china up to a light, you see some light passing through. However, while it may seem relatively thin, it’s chip resistant and can’t break easily.
What is china?
The term china typically refers to any high-quality or expensive dishware. So it’s the type of dishware usually reserved for special occasions. However, more specifically, it’s actually a type of ceramic dishware called porcelain.
Chinaware is delicate and is often decorated with ornate designs. It’s called chinaware because it originates from China.
What is bone ash?
Bone ash is a key component of china. Adding bone ash to porcelain means it can be thinner, smoother, whiter, and more translucent. It also makes chinaware stronger and more resistant to chipping.
During the 18th century, bone ash was initially derived from cow bones via a calcination process. But since then, the process has become more refined, and the key compounds of bone ash can be derived by a process similar to that used to produce gelatin or produced artificially.
The main constituents of bone ash are calcium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide. The exact composition of bone ash may vary depending on where it is sourced or how it is made. However, calcium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide are the primary compounds of interest. That’s because they are responsible for the unique characteristics of chinaware.
Overall, phosphate is a crucial element for the production of bone china. That’s because phosphorus compounds can generate tricalcium phosphate and another mineral called anorthite during the manufacturing process. As a result, these compounds contribute to the unique properties of bone china, making it more durable and longer lasting.
History
Bone china was first developed in England in 1748. However, it was later refined by Spode around 1800.
Since then, many well-known dishware companies have manufactured bone china. Today, it is produced not only in Europe but also in Middle East and Asia.
Characteristics
Smooth glazed surface
Bone china typically has a smooth and glazed finish, and this is due to a process known as “frit glaze.” It’s like a crystal glass covering the surface of bone china.
Frit glaze is fired at a lower temperature compared with a glaze typically used for normal porcelain. As a result, it increases light reflection, and you will see the unsurpassed luster of bone china when it’s held under a light.
Translucent
Calcium phosphate is a compound in bone ash that enhances the translucency of bone china. As a result, it allows more light to pass through. It’s more noticeable when you hold a piece of bone china up to a light.
Resistant to warping and chipping
Bone china is a solid material resistant to cracking and chipping. Because of this, it can survive the occasional knock or slip without breaking or shattering.
Again, it’s the firing process that makes it stronger. However, it’s also the materials it’s made of that give it this feature.
For example, bone china contains a considerable amount of tricalcium phosphate. This compound increases the strength of bone china because it forms a dense crystalline structure.
Functional
Because bone china is lightweight and strong, it has a range of functions and can take on various shapes.
For example, thin and delicate reliefs can be made in bone china. Delicate features are always more prone to breaking. However, with bone china, the bone ash reinforces the structure, making it less prone to breakages or fractures.
Due to its dimensional accuracy, bone china also has good edge alignment. As a result, it has good stackability, making it easy to store.
Delicate relief
Reliefs are design features that are raised or provide texture. They’re added to bone china because the material is easy to mold into shape.
Additionally, reliefs such as these would typically be more prone to chipping if the dinnerware were made of glass since the reliefs can easily get caught or scrape up against something. However, chinaware reliefs can withstand a few knocks or bumps due to the strong material.
Beautiful color
Due to the whiteness of bone china, it can easily be adorned with vibrant colors. That’s because its bright white background complements all colors and makes them stand out.
The translucent properties of bone china also make the color pop. That’s because the light that passes through bone china can illuminate the color from behind.
Lastly, another unique feature of bone china is that it has a softer glaze than porcelain. Because of this, it allows the paint to dissolve better, resulting in more vivid colors.
Uses
The most common use of bone china is, of course, dishware. And it’s used for a wide range of dishware.
Hotel and restaurants
Due to the whiteness of bone china, it can easily be adorned with vibrant colors. That’s because its bright white background complements all colors and makes them stand out.
The translucent properties of bone china also make the color pop. That’s because the light that passes through bone china can illuminate the color from behind.
Lastly, another unique feature of bone china is that it has a softer glaze than porcelain. Because of this, it allows the paint to dissolve better, resulting in more vivid colors.
Aircraft (first-class)
Using bone china in the first-class seating sections of aircraft makes sense because it’s beautiful and lightweight. Since airplanes need to keep the weight as low as possible, bone china certainly helps without compromising quality.
It’s also practical in the sense that it doesn’t break easily. So when planes hit turbulence, the plates are less likely to break or chip if they get knocked around a little.
But in addition to that, it’s the dimensional accuracy of bone china that also makes it perfect for air travel. Bone china has a higher degree of dimensional accuracy when compared to other types of porcelain. As a result, it allows in-flight meals to fit on carts safely since there is strict dimensional control.
Household
In terms of household use, bone china is the perfect tableware gift for anyone because it’s timeless and durable. However, it also provides a sense of fine dining in the home when guests are over for a special occasion.
Advantages of bone china
Bone china has many advantages; however, the three main benefits are that it is durable, beautiful, and chip resistant.
Durable
Bone china is very durable, which means it lasts a long time. Because of this, bone china is considered an heirloom because it’s often passed down from generation to generation.
Even if bone china is used daily, it will last a considerable time.
Beautiful
Bone china can be painted and adorned with beautiful designs. Reliefs can also be added to the decorative work. Therefore, bone china makes such a statement and is considered a form of art.
However, it does not need to be decorated to look beautiful. Due to the smoothness and translucency of bone china, even plain white pieces are stunning to look at.
Chip-resistant
Bone china is renowned for being highly chip resistant. So if it’s knocked or bumped, it’s unlikely to chip. In comparison, other types of dishware are more prone to chipping. Because of this, they don’t last as long as bone china, and many people discard them when this happens because chips or cracks can be both unattractive and unsanitary.
Chips or cracks can harbor bacteria, which is why they’re considered unhygienic. As a result, restaurants have to remove chipped dishes, and their dishware stock becomes depleted. Therefore, bone china is a good alternative since it’s resistant to chipping.
Disadvantages of bone china
Compared to the advantages, using bone china brings very few disadvantages. The main disadvantages are the price and the potential for scalding.
Price
Some considerably cheaper versions of bone china are available today. But they’re typically left plain, or the quality could be compromised due to cheaper manufacturing processes. But ultimately, bone china is quite expensive, which is why many people reserve theirs for special occasions.
Scalding
Bone china has some safety concerns because it can heat up rather quickly. Due to how thin it is, it doesn’t offer much protection against heat. Therefore, this increases the risk of scalding or burns.
Bone china production process
First, the raw materials are collected. These are bone ash, clay, feldspar, and kaolin. Together they are blended, pulverized, and filtered into a de-airing pub mill.
Once combined, the raw materials are then thoroughly kneaded in a vacuum to remove any air bubbles. From here, it is now ready to be molded into shape.
Depending on the type of product being made, some are shaped using turning molds or rollers. While others are formed using a slip-casting method.
After the product is shaped, it will undergo bisque firing. This process exposes the clay to high temperatures, making it more durable.
Next, the bone china is glazed evenly to make the surface look glossy.
After it has been glazed, it can be decorated with paint or patterns. These are usually added by hand.
NARUMI's bone china collections
Professional collection
NARUMI’s professional collection has a lot to offer. They have a design that caters to everyone. For example, some of their designs are classic and timeless, with intricate lace-like patterns. In contrast, others have bold and contemporary artwork.
NARUMI also likes collaborating with renowned artists, incorporating their artwork into their products. They have paired their work with several artists, and each design is unique.
Home collection
NARUMI’s home collection is just as lovely as their professional collection. Their overall aim is to provide classic collections that suit your home while keeping the tradition of Western tableware. They also offer a kid’s range with many cute designs to select from.
