How to choose a China Set [note] Chinaware For Everyday or Special Occasion[/note]
Today china is a common term used to describe all dinnerware, at the beginning the term originated in Europe as a synonym to porcelain (that came from china). The high end fine chinaware, made of porcelain is recognized in modern time as fine porcelain, fine china and bone china. It originated in china as early as 1600 BC (Shang Dynasty). In the European continent the craft is fairly recent, early 18th century (Germany 1707-10 and France 1712). The Italian in the Medici Era about 16th century had tried to uncover and copy the Chinese secret for the art of porcelain making, but did not succeed. The name china is a tribute to the population who first made fine chinaware out of porcelain. As for bone china it is called this way for the reason that real bone ash is used in the process.
Chinaware: Deciding What We Need
[note align=”right”]Take Your Time To Buy The Right China Set[/note]
Buying chinaware is not a simple matter. Whether it is our first china set or not, does not matter, the decision process is important. We need to be clear on what we want and what we need. What are my needs? Is it for everyday use, for casual meals or for formal special occasions and holidays? Are we looking for classic elegant and formal ware or for a more modern Zen style? Are we looking for fine china, bone china, fine porcelain, earthenware or stoneware? How many settings are we looking to buy, for 12 people or 8? Are we buying individual place settings (5 pieces, 4 pieces or three pieces per setting)? Is Dishwasher and microwave safe a must?
Chinaware Choices
[note]Did we decided on? [/note]
1. Color
2. Style
3. Pattern
4. Feel
5. Shape
6. Design
7. Quality
8. Price
Choosing the right chinaware / dinnerware set is overwhelming, the options are endless. Chinaware is an expression of our taste and personality. Purchasing a china set that reflects who we are takes a little work. There is no right or wrong etiquette when it comes to choosing a personal china set. The choice is ours alone. Be informed and then buy what you like and do not let anyone convince you otherwise.
Chinaware Options
The market offers an array of chinaware and dinnerware choices for all budget and tastes. The selection can be divided in two categories, high end chinaware and casual chinaware. From each category we can choose a classic style, romantic style or modern contemporary style.
First Category
High End Formal and Elegant Chinaware
Types of Fine China
This category covers three types of fine chinaware;
1) Porcelain
2) Fine China
3) Bone China
Porcelain and Fine China:
In some countries Porcelain is labelled as Fine China, Fine Porcelain or China. The main characteristic is its high quality. Fine Porcelain or Fine China is strong, shock resistant, tough, bright white, translucent and hard. For the most part it is thin and fine, does not chip or break easily, one can literally see through it when it is exposed to light. Most are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe (unless it has some gold or silver rim or pattern).
Porcelain is made of ceramic materials (Kaolin, quartz and feldspar) fired at high temperature (2200 to 2600 Fahrenheit) in a kiln. In the process the ceramic transforms into glass like vitrified material known as porcelain. Porcelain is the finest, whitest and most translucent ceramic.
Porcelain and Fine Porcelain
The difference between porcelain and fine porcelain is the firing temperature; the porcelain is fired at a higher temperature than the fine porcelain/fine china. The result is a product that is not as delicate, thin or translucent but strong, non-absorbent and durable. Porcelain is however thinner than stoneware or earthenware.
When choosing fine china or porcelain chinaware one must make sure that the design and patterns on the chinaware were fired at high temperature. This will ensure that everyday use, dishwasher and cleaning detergent will not affect the pattern or design over time.
Porcelain can be divided in three categories; all considered high quality
1. Hard-paste porcelain (burned at high temperature)
2. Soft-paste porcelain (burned at lower temperature)
3. Bone china
Bone China;
Originated in England around 1748 to compete with the Chinese porcelain and fine china trade. The main difference is the use of animal cow or ox bone-ash in the ceramic materials used in the making process. The fine powder of burned animal bone gave the bone china its strength, warm colour, creamy whiteness and translucency. Not all porcelains are the same white, strength and translucency as bone china. High quality bone china should contain between 30 to 45 % bone ash. Bone china does not imply a stronger product but it does imply a little more translucency than fine china, and the colour white is a warmer and more cream like than the fine china or fine porcelain counterpart. Lower quality bone china can have, as little as, 5% bone ash.
Today bone china, fine china and fine porcelain dinnerware are manufactured in most countries, Europe, United States and Asia.
Before Buying
Before you decide to purchase a bone china dinnerware set ask the store or brand manufacturer what is the bone content. You should not pay as much for less bone content as the one with a higher than 30 % bone ash content.
The beauty of buying fine china, fine porcelain or Bone china is that the refined delicate look may insinuate fragile but to the contrary they are of the highest and strongest quality in chinaware.
Do not forget to buy the matching serving wares that complete your set.
The fine china, porcelain or bone china is more expensive than the earthenware and stoneware dinnerware. They are more durable and of superior quality, hence the high price tag.
Second Category
Casual Chinaware
In the casual category you will find; the less expensive dinnerware
1) Earthenware (unrefined and refined)
2) Stoneware
Earthenware
Unrefined Earthenware is a variety of ceramic dinnerware that is fired up at lower temperature (1700 -1945 Fahrenheit’s), and requires glazing to be impermeable, if not it is porous.
Refined Earthenware was developed in Europe around 1700 as a less costly substitute to porcelain and known as “semi porcelain” (but is not porcelain). Today most casual dinnerware is made of earthenware. The making process is less expensive but still resilient. It needs to be fired in a kiln twice to be non porous. You can have different colours and patterns, it is lighter weight and coarser than stoneware. It is fired at a lower temperature than stoneware and porcelain. There are three types of earthenware on the market; 1) terra cotta mostly used for baking; 2) ironstone mostly used for dinnerware and 3) dolomite the least recommended for food and dinnerware because of its chemical content. They are less expensive and not fully vitrified and can break and chip faster than its stoneware and porcelain counterparts.
Stoneware
During the Shang dynasty 1400 BC stoneware was developed. In Europe stoneware made its debut in the late 1700s. Stoneware is opaque ceramic dinnerware made of clay and other raw materials, fired up at high temperature (about 2200 Fahrenheit) to vitrify the clay. It is durable, resistant and does not chip easily. It is heavy and non translucent. It is a good option for casual everyday sets. Stoneware can be of different colors but does not usually have patterns or decorations. Stoneware is heavier and denser than earthenware. It is fully vitrified.
As a Rule
Both Earthenware and Stoneware are less expensive, and also of lesser quality and durability than the fine china, bone china and porcelain dinnerware.
Most people use earthenware or stoneware for their everyday usage and the high end fine china, porcelain or bone china for special occasions.
Generally people will invest in at least one high quality china set that will last for years. As for the everyday sets they are often replaced.
Bone China is the most expensive and earthenware is the least expensive in dinnerware.
What You Need for a Complete Set of China
You need to know the number of people you will entertain and accordingly buy the same amount of place settings and flatware. A standard place setting for one should include: [note align=”right”] A Place Setting; is China, Flatware and Drink ware for One Person
(the Standard China Place Setting is 5 Pieces)[/note]
- Dinner Plate (10.5 inches)
- Salad Plate (7.5 – 9 inches)
- Bread Plate (6.75 inches)
- Soup Bowl
- Saucer 6.75 inches
- Tea or Coffee Cup
- Flatware – Forks, Knifes, Spoons
- Charger (12 -14 inches)
- Dessert Plate (8.5 – 9 inches)
- Drink Ware (water, wine)
Complete your China Set
For a more complete set you can add dessert plates, chargers, serving ware and tea set. You can start with a small set for 4 people or 8 people and add place settings as need be. Some manufacturers sell small sets of 45 pieces, good for parties of eight. The set generally includes 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, 8 bread plates, 8 saucers and 8 cups. It also includes a serving bowl, a serving platter, a fish knife, sugar bowl and creamer. You can later add more place settings and serving ware to complete your set.