Is Bone China Durable?
Table of Contents
Is Bone China More Durable Than Porcelain?
Bone china is renowned for being durable and long-lasting — combining beauty and strength for an unparalleled dining experience. So if you are looking for a new sophisticated and luxurious dinnerware set, it is evident that you should select one that is made of bone china.
But first of all, it is essential to know why bone china is superior to porcelain. While it is clear that bone china and porcelain have key differences in appearance, there are other lesser-known features of bone china. These lesser-known features are related to the durability of bone china, meaning it is stronger and more resistant to damage.
1. Hardness
Hardness refers to a material’s ability to withstand deformation or distortion when it comes into contact with a mechanical force.
Bone china and porcelain both appear to have considerable hardness. After all, the composition of bone china and porcelain are relatively similar. They are both made with feldspar, quartz, and kaolin clay. However, bone china has a greater hardness because its composition includes bone ash, whereas porcelain does not.
Bone ash improves the composition of bone china by making it less brittle. That’s because bone ash is rich in calcium and phosphorus-containing compounds. These compounds reinforce the hardness of bone china, counteracting deformation or abrasion when a mechanical force is applied.
2. Chip and Shatter Resistance
Chip resistance and shatter resistance refers to an object’s ability to withstand everyday wear and tear with frequent use.
Understandably, you will want to use your dinnerware often for maximum enjoyment. But with frequent use, dinnerware is more prone to chipping or shattering when it is handled often.
Again, since the composition of bone china contains bone ash, it is more chip and shatter-resistant than porcelain. While porcelain has some resistance to chipping and shattering, the resistance is weaker because it does not contain bone ash. Therefore, bone ash is a crucial component of bone china’s durability.
3. Heat Resistance
Heat resistance is a term linked to thermal expansion. It refers to how well an object can withstand a temperature increase without undergoing conformational changes in shape, area, volume, and density.
Bone china is typically not oven safe. However, it can withstand high temperatures to the extent that is sufficient for day-to-day use when serving food. This means you can transport food cooked in the oven or airfryer to a beautiful bone china serving plate.
As the maximum temperature that bone china can withstand differs by manufacturers, it is recommended that you check their handling instructions when you buy a specific bone china product. Placing your bone china dinnerware directly in the oven may cause damage to the product, so keep this in mind.
4. Microwave Safeness
Ensuring that your dinnerware is microwave safe is essential before you buy it. This is because it is easy to forget whether or not a particular item is suitable for a microwave.
Before placing your new bone china dinnerware in the microwave, it’s good to go over a few basic principles. Generally, both bone china and porcelain can be placed in a microwave or microwave oven when there is an absence of gold or platinum decorations. These can be design finishes or decor linings around the rim of the product.
Bone china with gold and platinum decorations are typically not microwave safe because these features may spark when heated in a microwave. Also, keep in mind that the term “microwave safe” can depend on the wattage of the device. The range of heating will differ, so check the instruction manual of your microwave or microwave oven.
5. Dishwasher Safeness
Most modern residential and commercial kitchens are equipped with dishwashers, so understanding whether your dinnerware is able to withstand the high temperatures and steam that come with this cleaning method is crucial.
As with microwave safeness, bone china without gold and platinum decorations are generally dishwasher safe, while bone china with gold and platinum decorations are not dishwasher safe. This is due to the high probability of fading — and experts also recommend hand washing over dishwashers for a longer lifespan of luster.
Bone china has some advantages over porcelain when it comes to dishwasher safeness. Certain types of decorated porcelain should not be placed in a dishwasher due to the risk of fading. On the other hand, decorations on bone china (with the exception of gold and platinum) effectively sink into the glaze once fired, meaning they’re less likely to be affected by the extreme heat and steam of a dishwasher. The range of temperatures and steam will differ from device to device, so check the instruction manual of your dishwashers.
6. Color Retention
Color retention refers to how long an object can maintain its true color or original color. Color fading is another common side effect of general wear and tear.
Generally, bone china products are able to retain their original color and luster longer than porcelain, especially when it comes to added decorations or painted motifs. This is due to the permeability of the glaze applied on bone china. The color is able to melt and sink into the glaze effectively so the decoration can better withstand everyday wear and tear.
Tips To Make Your Bone China Last Longer
On its own, bone china has remarkable durability. However, with some valuable tips, you can make it last even longer.
Tip 1: Handle it Safely
When handled safely around heat, bone china will last for longer. If your bone china is being heated, consider these key points:
- Avoid sudden heating or cooling as it may cause your bone china dishes to fracture due to thermal shock
- When using a microwave, heat your bone china dishes with food inside to avoid heating an empty vessel
- Do not boil bone china in water at high temperatures (this will vary depending on the manufacturer), as boiling water may cause it to vibrate and break
- Do not heat bone china over an open flame or in an oven
Taking these precautions will improve the longevity of your bone china. Also, ensure that it is being used for its intended purpose.
Tip 2: Clean it Correctly
Another way to improve the lifespan of your bone china is to clean it correctly. Unfortunately, some cleaners are too harsh because they are corrosive to bone china. Therefore, knowing what to use and what to avoid will help immensely.
Do:
- Use a pH-neutral detergent
- Use a commercial oxygen bleach to remove stubborn tea stains
- Use a liquid cleanser to remove metal marks and limescale
- Remove stains immediately before they set in
- Wash it gently. Hand washing is recommended for a longer lifespan
- Dry after washing and store in a low-humidity environment
Avoid:
- Using a metal scourer or abrasive cleansers, or cleaning items
- Cleaning bone china with vinegar
Tip 3: Store it Properly
If you want to keep your bone china lustrous for years to come, you’ll want to take care during storage — as products can get bumped and chipped in cupboards.
- Do not put too many dishes in a sink when washing as they may bump into each other and crack
- Store the products neatly in the cabinet to avoid any unnecessary hitting and scratches
- Store them high so children can’t access them (and reduces the risk of falling), but not too high that they’re hard to reach on special occasions
NARUMI's bone china collections
Professional collections
The professional collection offers a range of contemporary designs for cafes, restaurants, and chefs to help showcase their best meals. These designs are practical for hospitality environments but will still enhance the dining experience for your guests or clients.
Due to the durability and elegance of bone china, it makes perfect sense to use it in a commercial setting. That’s because it will last longer while still looking presentable and new for years to come. Therefore, it is an excellent investment for any cafe or restaurant because it adds to the dining experience but will last for a considerable time.
Home Collections
The home collection offers classic and timeless designs. These designs are practical for everyday use, but still enhance the dining experience of your home.
While it is common for many households to reserve their bone china for special occasions, you will get more enjoyment from using it every day. Since bone china is highly durable, it will certainly last despite being used frequently. Therefore, many households are now switching to bone china dinnerware due to its beauty and durability.
