What is the difference between Bone China and Porcelain? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Bone China and Porcelain?

Asked by Juul , Last updated: Apr 12, 2024

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5 Answers

Elena Sheldon

Elena Sheldon

Being in the arts and science department amuses me every day.

Elena Sheldon
Elena Sheldon, Director of research, Diploma in Arts and Science, Berkeley, California

Answered Dec 09, 2020

Bone China is a kind of ware made from a lucid body out of 30 percent phosphates from a determined amount of calcium phosphate and animal bone. It is produced mostly of bone ash, kaolin, and feldspathic material. On the other hand, porcelain has varied mixtures. A potter developed bone China in England, and it was made popular for its translucency and whiteness.

It is also known for its strength and chip resistance, so it has been discovered to be a very durable material. It can be manufactured in thinner cross-sections than other types of porcelain. Porcelain is a ceramic material known for its resilience and strength due to the creation of glass and mineral mullite within the body at elevated temperatures.

Porcelain is renowned for its low permeability and elasticity. Bone China originated in Europe, while porcelain is said to have originated in China. Porcelain can be used for glassware, and it is also building material. Many would think that porcelain is more expensive due to its elegant reputation, but bone China costs more.

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Steinn

Steinn

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Steinn
Steinn , Corporate employee, Graz

Answered Nov 27, 2020

Most people prefer bone china because of its whiteness and translucent quality. However, it is more fragile compared to porcelain. The whiteness of bone china is due to the presence of white clay in its composition. The major constituents of bone china are kaolin, feldspar, silica, and bone ash. Different techniques can be used to produce bone china in different shapes. In contrast, you can use other materials to make porcelain aside from bone ash. This is why there are different types of porcelain. Although porcelain is considered a stronger material than bone china, the latter is still strong. Unlike bone china that is made by subjecting its mixture to a temperature of about 1220 degrees C, porcelain is made by subjecting its mixture to a temperature of about 1454 degrees C. Porcelain can still be called a bone chain if its mixture is fired at a temperature of 1204 degrees.
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Maxence

Maxence

Have keen interest in writing, traveller by heart.

Maxence
Maxence , Writer, Vienna

Answered Nov 27, 2020

Bone china is a type of porcelain made by mixing clay with bone ash. Feldspathic material, kaolin, and bone ash are composites of bone china. On the other hand, porcelain also uses similar materials but also uses other artificial materials. Bone china is similar to porcelain in terms of translucency and whiteness. Although both materials are known for their strength and resistance against chipping, bone china is more resistant to chipping compared to other types of porcelain. Porcelain can be grouped into two: bone, soft, and hard paste. The production of porcelain is easy compared to bone china. Also, the materials used in making bone china are quite expensive compared to those of porcelain. This explains why other types of porcelain are not as expensive as bone china. The higher price of bone china is not for nothing as it is more durable than other types of porcelain.
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Corné

Corné

Traveler and writer by profession.

Corné
Corné , College student, MBA, Geneva

Answered Nov 18, 2020

China ceramics are a popular type of dinnerware that can be easily recognized because of their elaborate and elegant design. There was a time when it was extremely popular but people have started collecting other things through the years. There are two types of China that are available: bone china and fine china. Bone China is considered to be more durable as compared to fine china. It will be chip-resistant because of the materials that are used to make this. Bone china is made out of ground bone and ceramics. Fine China will be made out of pure ceramic. Bone china will offer more designs and hues as compared to fine china.
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W. Ira

W. Ira

W. Ira
W. Ira

Answered Jul 20, 2020

If you would base it on the name alone, you can already guess that bone china will become mixed with bones to make sure that the items that will be created will have a unique appearance. There is a particular type of bone that should be used, which is the cow bone ash.

If you would base it on the name alone, you can already guess that bone china will become mixed
Bone china will also be more translucent, especially when you would compare it to the usual china. China is considered to be very valuable. Some people even have their collections displayed because they are proud of the number of China that they have acquired through the years. Fine China will not be able to let light in even when you place it near a light source while Bone China will be translucent enough to let a bit of light in.

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