My mom has a couple different fine china brands of dinnerware — none of which I’ve ever seen on a table. It got me thinking: What companies make fine china and what would I want to know about buying dinnerware? I tackle the questions in this article.
Read customer reviews of fine porcelain china on Amazon or see their best-sellers below.
- 36th Anniversary Ornament: It is a romantic and lasting way to celebrate married years together.
- Product details: Made of premium white ceramic with a flawless glossy glaze, diameter 2.87 inches, printed with: 36 years, 13,149 days, 315,576 hours, 18,934,560 minutes, 1,136,073,600 seconds and still counting
- Modern printing technology: All words and images are permanently fused to the surface of this ceramic ornament (this is NOT a decal) and will not peel, crack or fade.
- Double side printing: The image also appears on the back of the ornament so however it hangs it can be seen.
- Christmas tree and car decoration: Beautiful addition to the Christmas tree in years to come and it's cute decoration to be hanged into the car rearview mirror
- DINNERWARE SET FOR 8: this 40-piece dinnerware set includes 8 of each:11-inch dinner plate, 9-inch salad plate, 6-inch cereal bowl, 4.25-inch fruit bowl, and 14-ounce mug
- BEAUTIFUL DETAILS AND DESIGN: the Mikasa Delray Dinnerware Collection brings sophistication to any table using minimalist style, clean lines, and smooth, pure white surfaces
- DURABLE AND HIGH QUALITY MAKE: the pieces to this dining set are made of crisp white bone china, which is oven, dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe and also chip-resistant
- VERSATILE DINNERWARE DESIGN: the beautifully detailed design complements any decor and can be used for formal and casual occasions
- DISHWASHER AND MICROWAVE SAFE: all pieces of this dinnerware set are both dishwasher safe and microwave safe
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Service for 4 that includes 4 of each of the following: 10.75" Dinner Plates, 8.25" Dessert Plates, 8.75" Dinner Bowls, 6” Cereal Bowls
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS: beautiful dishes that are also dishwasher and microwave safe
- BONE CHINA: light yet durable, bone china is the strongest of all ceramics. With it high mechanical and physical strength, this material known for its high levels of whiteness and translucency.
- DINNER BOWLS: Whether it’s pasta, salad, soup, or your entrée, you will fall in love with the convenience of the dinner bowls included in the set. By combining a dinner plate and bowl shape, we’ve come up with the perfect item to use for almost any meal
- ELEGANT EMBOSSED DESIGN: this set’s high-quality bone china material is complimented by an embossed design along the edges of the dishes, adding an extra touch of class to your dining table
- PACKAGE INCLUDES: Set of 2 Coffee Mugs made of Fine Bone China and the capacity of the mug is 12 OZ. Our products are Designed in Europe and Made in India.
- EASY CARE & MAINTENANCE: Safe enough for Dishwasher Microwave Freezer. It is made of fine bone China and is oven safe to 350° F.
- CONVENIENT USE: Durable high quality fine bone China coffee mug with easy grip handle, well balanced and comfortable in your hand just like in the restaurant.
- UNIQUE DESIGN: Each design is beautifully rendered in watercolor, with traditional motifs captured with a painter’s eye for light, hue, and lovely detail. The attractive motifs punctuated with some vibrant colors offer a real glimpse into the beauty of European designs.
- MANY MORE TO SHOP FOR: More coordinated Aprons, Double Gloves, Kitchen Curtains, Kitchen Towels, Mugs, Napkins, Oven Mitts, Placemats, Pot Holders, Table Runners, Tablecloths, and Wall Hangings are available in this design. Visit our store for more beautiful products from the house of Maison d’ Hermine.
- ????【Fine Bone China】Chulan ceramics are fine bone china. You can use any method to check its authenticity, such as light transmittance, reverberation. Once upscale bone china was an exclusive item for royal nobles. The low production rate determines its value.
- ????【Superior Material】The durability and translucency of bone china is actually based on the percentage of bone ash content present within the product, only 25% in traditional formulation. Chulan’s collection is made of fine bone china with over 45% of bone ash content, which all exceed the British industry standards.
- ☕【Translucent & Lightweight】The light can filter through all products as a jade, which is the symbol of the highest grade of bone china. Its impressive lightweight and glossy surface offer you the most comfortable sense of touch.
- ☕【Chip-Resistant & Unique Design】Bone china can always stay sturdy and chip-resistant. Chulan’s unique patterns are fired at over 2000℉, which will never fade and beauty remains as time goes by. The classic white Ceramic Coffee Mug design adds a touch of elegance.
- ☕【Dishwasher & Microwave Safe】Chulan bone china set goes safe in dishwasher and microwave, no worry of hand wash only. Smooth porcelain texture makes cleanup a breeze. Note: Use weak alkaline detergent. Please keep metal items away from your fine bone china.
- Crafted Of Fine Bone China
- Beautiful Gold-Plated Handle and Light floral design
- Dimensions: diameter 3.25 inches, Height 4.25 inches, capacity 330/ML
- Dishwasher-safe
- ideal gift for her
- CONTEMPORARY ELEGANCE: Macie dinnerware updates your tabletop display with modern shapes and a clean, simple look
- CHIP RESISTANT: made from high quality Bone Ash for superior strength and durability for everyday use
- BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED: translucent, lightweight and crisp white color, made of high-quality bone china
- TABLE FOR FOUR: 12-piece set includes 4 each of 11-inch dinner plate, 6-inch all-purpose bowl with a 27-fluid ounce capacity, and 9-inch pasta bowl with a 23-fluid ounce capacity
- EASY CLEANING & REHEATING: dishwasher safe for fast, simple cleanup, and microwave safe for quick reheating
- Coffee mug made of fine bone china material, smooth surface touched comfortable with lighter weight than normal ceramic cups. Upgrade technology and material make it delicate, sturdy. Hand wash recommended, NOT microwavesafe.
- Designed with vivid royal print, unique gold trim and vivid lines make it look special, especially for those who love collection mugs. Beautiful cup for some relaxing tea time.
- Multi Functional mugs are the perfect size for a cafe, tea, great to keep your drink warm and flavor. And can be a good pick for your tea or coffee time, every day.
- With the raised up bottom of coffee mugs, you can put it on a table without a coaster. The mug lip is not too thick and with radians makes it more ergonomic and comfortable when using it.
- Package with 2 delicate coffee mugs. 3" in top diameter, 4" in height, 2" in bottom diameter. Beautiful cups for delicate tea drinkers. It can be a nice gift for your friends or family on Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Birthday, Anniversary, Christmas, New Year, etc.
- SERVICE FOR 4 - Blair Bone China Collection dish set includes 4 round large 10.5" dinner plates, 4 small 7.7" appetizer or salad plates and 4 round 6" soup bowls (23.6 fl.oz), making it perfect for serving family and friends.
- TIMELESS AND STYLISH: Looking for dishes that are classic enough to last a lifetime? The Stone + Lain Blair dinnerware set is your answer to sophisticating your everyday dining experience.
- BONE CHINA: Blair is your classic Bone China dinnerware set. Enjoy the simple design and the benefit of getting bone china: light but sturdy pieces.
- DISHWASHER AND MICROWAVE SAFE - Each dish can be safely used in the dishwasher for easy cleaning or put in the microwave for fast heating.
- PERFECT WEDDING REGISTRY GIFT - Each complete dinnerware set makes a perfect housewarming gift for brides and grooms who love entertaining and is an an essental for those who have purchased a new home or apartment.
- The cup is of good quality, with smooth surface, it looks very unique and stylish.
- Delicate golden rim edge, soft lines and noble temperament, good for kitchen and office decoration.
- Brand: Eplze, fine bone china, good workmanship.
- Can store around 500ml (16oz) liquid, bigger than normal sized mug, widely used for tea, coffee, beverage, etc.
- Comes with sturdy carton gift package, including a coffee mug.
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First things first …
Fine china dinnerware is often referred to as porcelain. They are synonymous. But note: Porcelain is different than bone china.
Bone china is made just like porcelain china — except with one ingredient: bone ash. Bone ash gives the dinnerware a warmer white color compared to porcelain.
Fine china brands list
Note: This list is not comprehensive. It lists companies that currently make bone china dinnerware and porcelain dinnerware.
Some designer brands are offered under one company.
Example: kate spade new york, Sharon Sacks, Scalamandre, Marchesa, Gluckstein, Donna Karan dinnerware are under the Lenox brand.
If I could find the designer and overseeing brand, I listed both. I tried not to list “collections” offered by a manufacturer because they were not a brand.
Although this list is a work in progress, it does provide a good starting point.
- 10 Strawberry Street
- 222 Fifth
- Adeline
- Alessi
- Arcoroc
- Auratic
- Bauscher
- Bernardaud
- BIA Cordon Bleu
- Brilliant
- CAC China
- Carmona New York
- Corelle
- Crestware
- CRU by Darbie Angell
- Dansk
- Denby
- Donna Karan
- Dudson China
- Front Of The House
- Gluckstein
- Hakusan Porcelain
- Herend
- Homer Laughlin
- Hotel Collection
- Iittala
- ITI (International Tableware Inc.)
- Jasper Conran
- KAHLA – PORCELAIN FOR THE SENSES
- kate spade new york
- Kim Rody Creations
- Lenox
- Lorenzo
- Lorren Home Trends
- Marchesa
- Martha Stewart
- Maxwell & Williams
- Merdinger House of Design
- Mikasa
- Monique Lhuillier for Waterford
- Nikko Ceramics
- Noritake
- Oneida
- Oxford
- Pfaltzgraff
- Pillivuyt
- Portmeirion
- R.W. Smith & Co.
- Red Vanilla
- Reed & Barton
- Rene Ozorio China
- Revol
- Rosenthal
- Royal Albert
- Royal Copenhagen
- Royal Doulton
- Royal Porcelain
- Royal Worcester
- Sant Andrea
- Scalamandre
- Schonwald
- Sharon Sacks
- Shinepukur
- Spode
- Steelite
- Tognana
- Tria
- Tuxton
- Venu
- Vera Wang Wedgwood
- Vertex
- Villeroy & Boch
- Waechtersbach
- Waterford
- Wedgwood
- World Tableware
Read reviews of this Lenox bone china on Amazon.
Why use fine china?
Special occasions and formal dinners are an excellent use of china, especially if it has an elegant or intricate design.
The “different” dinnerware can make a special night for family members, or a special guest may appreciate the formal dinnerware and take away a good impression.
Variety is another reason. Good china does offer various styles and patterns — sometimes much more ornate than standard, casual dinnerware.
Heirloom pieces are a reason people consider this type of dinnerware.
Although heirloom pieces may have sentimental value, they may also have monetary value if it is antique or vintage and / or from a well-known fine china manufacturer.
Tips for buying dinnerware
Budget
The first thing to consider when buying dinnerware is your budget, but this holds true for buying any cookware — whether the best electric wok or best nonstick cookware.
You can find different sets in a wide range of prices with everything from an affordable price to extremely expensive.
Know how much you want to spend — whether on fine bone china or everyday-use stoneware.
Purpose
The next thing you will want to consider is what you will be using it for.
Are you going to use it on only special, formula occasions or will it be for everyday use? This may make a big difference in the type you are looking to buy.
You may also be looking for two different sets. One could be used for everyday and then another for more formal occasions.
Number of place settings
Think about how many people you will be serving. You should not only think about the people in your home, but others that you may be serving as well.
It is also a good idea to add in a couple of extra settings for unexpected guests or if you have a piece that breaks.
There are three different ways that it is often sold. The first, and most common, is a set, which includes cups, plates, and bowls.
The sets are most commonly sold for four or eight settings. In this case, you will need to determine how many sets you will need.
The second way it is sold is by open stock. This means that you can select the number of pieces you would like to buy. You can purchase eight dinner plates and only six bowls if you would like. This also allows you to mix and match colors if you would chose to.
The third way is by the place setting, including the plates, bowls, and cups. You can determine how many place settings you would like and then order that many.
Material
There are a variety of materials used to make dinnerware.
Depending on what you would like to use it for and how durable you would like it to be will play a part in the type you choose.
Earthenware – Porous material that is often glazed. Although it appears durable, it is quite fragile.
Stoneware – Non-porous material, heavy, and hard. It is a more durable piece.
Ironstone – Similar to stoneware, but looks more like porcelain.
Glass – Can be clear or colored. It is more fragile.
Melamine – This is made of plastic and will not shatter.
Porcelain – This is a non-porous piece that is durable and looks similar to glass.
Bone china – It is similar to porcelain and has a milky, white appearance.
Pattern, color, and shape
You will want to find something that fits your taste and style. You should not feel that you are limited to just round, white plates. There are a number of different colors, patterns, and even shapes that you can choose from.
If you would prefer to have square or rectangular plates, you will be able to find them. You could also look for plates that have a rustic pattern or bold colors. Whatever your tastes are is what you should look for.
Able to be replaced
In most homes, there is bound to be a piece that will end up broken. At that point you will likely want to replace it.
If you buy a set on clearance, you may not be able to easily get a replacement piece. Looking for a well established brand is beneficial in knowing you can get a broken piece replaced.
For instance, the featured image at the top of this article is an antique fine china brand bought in the late ’70s. It was discontinued a long time ago, and replacements are difficult to get.
Find the best fine china brands on the market in 2023 on Amazon.
Originally posted 2023-01-06 09:41:31.