**Porcelain Buying Guide: How to Choose Quality Pieces**
TL;DR: To choose high-quality porcelain, inspect for pure white or translucent glaze, listen for a clear ring when tapped, and verify the maker’s mark on the base. Prioritize pieces with even thickness, no visible pinholes, and a smooth, non-porous surface that feels cool to the touch.
Understanding Porcelain Types
Before purchasing, identify the type of porcelain you need. Bone china contains 25-50% bone ash, making it thin, translucent, and highly durable. Standard porcelain, or hard-paste porcelain, is denser and heavier but still elegant. Soft-paste porcelain is more fragile and often used for decorative art rather than daily tableware. Understanding these distinctions helps you set realistic expectations for durability and maintenance. If you plan to use the items in a dishwasher, bone china and hard-paste porcelain are generally the safer, more resilient choices.
If you want to dig deeper, check out our guide on **Porcelain & Your Health: Safe Dinnerware Buying Guide**.
Visual Inspection Techniques
Hold the piece up to a light source. True high-quality porcelain should exhibit translucency, allowing light to pass through the thinner edges. If you cannot see your hand clearly through the rim, the piece may be earthenware or stoneware rather than true porcelain. Check the glaze for uniformity. A high-grade glaze should be glossy, smooth, and free of bubbles, crazing (fine cracks in the glaze), or pinholes. Pinholes are tiny air pockets that trapped during firing; while sometimes acceptable in rustic styles, they can harbor bacteria in functional dishware. Run your fingers over the surface to detect any roughness or ridges that might indicate poor manufacturing or improper glazing.
Testing Durability and Sound
Sound is a reliable indicator of integrity. Gently tap the rim of a plate or the side of a cup with your fingernail or a wooden spoon. Quality porcelain produces a clear, high-pitched, bell-like ring. A dull thud suggests the material is dense, potentially cracked, or of lower quality. Examine the base for stability. The foot ring should be even and level. If the piece wobbles, it may have been improperly cooled or fired, leading to future warping. Check for any hairline cracks, which are common in cheap mass-produced items. These cracks can expand over time, especially with thermal shock from hot liquids.
Verifying Provenance and Care
Look for the manufacturer’s mark on the bottom of the piece. Reputable brands often stamp their logo, origin country, and care instructions. This mark serves as a guarantee of authenticity and quality control. Avoid unmarked items if you are buying for long-term use, as they may lack proper lead and cadmium testing, which is crucial for food-safe ceramics. Finally, consider the intended use. For fine dining, invest in branded bone china from established manufacturers. For casual daily use, sturdy hard-paste porcelain from reputable retailers offers a good balance of affordability and durability. Always follow the specific care instructions provided by the maker to maintain the piece’s integrity.
FAQ
Q: How do I tell if porcelain is real or fake?
A: Real porcelain is translucent when held up to light, rings clearly when tapped, and has a smooth, non-porous glaze. Fake or lower-quality substitutes often appear opaque, dull, or rough to the touch.
Q: Is bone china better than standard porcelain?
A: Bone china is generally considered superior due to its higher strength, translucency, and lighter weight. It is more resistant to chipping than standard porcelain, making it a better investment for long-term use.
Q: Can I put any porcelain in the dishwasher?
A> Most modern porcelain is dishwasher safe, but check the manufacturer’s label. Hand-painted pieces or antique porcelain may require hand washing to preserve the glaze and decoration.