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.
- Service for 4, includes 4 of each of the following: 10.5” Dinner Plates, 8” Salad Plates, 5.625” Deep Bowls, 8" Soup Plates. This is dinnerware set for 4, dinnerware set, service for 4, great dinnerware for home and kitchen, dinnerware sets, dishes for 4
- Material and Technology: This elegant set is made of elegant Bone China material via double fired high temperature technology. This bone china dinnerware, bone china dish set, bone china dishes, kitchen décor dinnerware
- Care Instruction: This Double Gold Rim Set, kitchen gourmet dishes, lightweight plates and bowls set, bone china plates and bowls set, stackable plates and bowls set is beautiful, microwave safe, chip resistant. Hand washing was recommended.
- Double Gold Set can be used as gift dinnerware set, gift set, Essential Home dinnerware set, Thanksgiving Dinnerware set, Christmas Dinnerware Set, Celebration Dinnerware Set, Back To College Dinnerware set, Wedding gift set, gold band dinnerware, gold band dishes, gold band dinnerware set, double gold band dinnerware set, double gold rim dinnerware set, kitchen set.
- This is elegant giftware and high quality dinnerware set. The dishes and bowls are translucent, the glaze is flat and smooth. This is translucent dinnerware set, smooth glaze dinnerware set. translucent dishes, new house dinnerware, new house dishes, kitchen essentials, apartment essentials, home essentials
- 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
- 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
- Service for 4, includes 4 of each of the following: 10.5” Dinner Plates, 8” Salad Plates, 5.75” Deep Bowls, 4” Fruit Bowls and 12oz Mug. This is dinnerware set for 4, dinnerware set, service for 4, great dinnerware for home and kitchen, dinnerware sets, dishes for 4
- Material and Technology: This elegant set is made of elegant Bone China material via double fired high temperature technology. This bone china dinnerware, bone china dish set, bone china dishes, kitchen décor dinnerware
- Care Instruction: This Marble with Gold Rim Set, kitchen gourmet dishes, lightweight plates and bowls set, bone china plates and bowls set, stackable plates and bowls set is beautiful, microwave safe, and chip resistant. Hand washing was recommended.
- Marble with Gold Rim Set can be used as gift dinnerware set, gift set, Essential Home dinnerware set, Thanksgiving Dinnerware set, Christmas Dinnerware Set, Celebration Dinnerware Set, Back To College Dinnerware set, Wedding gift set, gold band decorated dinnerware, gold band decorated dishes, gold band decorated dinnerware set, decorated Marble Design dinnerware set, gold rim decorated dinnerware set, kitchen set.
- This is elegant giftware and high quality dinnerware set. The dishes and bowls are translucent, the glaze is flat and smooth. This is translucent dinnerware set, smooth glaze dinnerware set. translucent dishes, new house dinnerware, new house dishes, kitchen essentials, apartment essentials, home essentials
- [Why Choose This] This bone china tea set is different from ordinary Porcelain tea sets. This high-content bone china tea cup set has high strength, high resistance to chipping, is durable and lightweight, has good light transmission, is not easy to fade, is white and delicate, has an exquisite appearance and smooth glaze, not easy to leave stains, etc. features.
- [Unique Design] The bone china tea set uses high-content bone china as the material. The vintage tea set takes the phoenix and peony as the main creative elements, combined it with ink art, and depicts a peaceful and vibrant scene of a hundred birds facing the phoenix. The hand-painted gold edging of this tea cup and saucer set adds to its charm, making it the perfect addition to any home decor.
- [Material Safety] All products of the tea cups set of 6 are bone china， the bone meal content is as high as 45%, green and safe, so you can use it with confidence.But the English tea set is not suitable to be heated in a microwave, if you want to use a dishwasher, you should choose a dishwasher with a "porcelain and crystal" washing function.
- [Tea Sets for Women] This tea set for adults makes an excellent gift for women who appreciate fine dining and enjoy hosting. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a relaxing afternoon with friends, this tea party set will definitely impress.
- [Fine English Tea Set] 21-piece bone china tea set. This vintage tea set includes 6 porcelain tea cups and saucers, a teapot, a sugar bowl, a creamer pitcher, and teaspoons, perfect for serving your guests in style.
- 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.
- SERVICE FOR 4 - Aria Bone China Collection dish set includes 4 round large 10.3" dinner plates, 4 small 7.8" 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 Aria dinnerware set is your answer to sophisticating your everyday dining experience.
- BONE CHINA: Aria 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.
- Made of quality ceramic stoneware
- Holds approximately 18 fluid ounces of your favorite beverage
- Graphic art wraps around entire mug. Picture shows both sides of ONE mug. Features scripture from Ruth 1:16
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Boxed individually and carefully packaged
- 20pc Set: Service for 6, Including 6 Pieces of Dinner Plate 10.5", 6 Pieces of Salad Plate 8.25", 6 Pieces of Soup Plate 8.5", 1 Piece of Serving Platter 12", 1 Piece of Salad Serving Bowl 9"
- Beautiful Elegance Design: Bone China Conee Shape with Elegance Dinnerware Make your Dinner Table Elegance, Stable, Artisan, Comfortable and Attractive
- More Durable: Made from the High Quality Longyan Clay Mixed with Bull Bone Material, Featured With Special Glaze, Twice Fired in Long Tunnel Kiln at Degree of 1000C-1200C for More Than 20 Hours
- Easy to Handle: Chip-Resistant, Light Weight, Dishwasher Safe, Microwave Safe and Direct from Freezer to Oven to Table
- More Compositions and Items Available: Compositions of 16 Pieces Set, 18 Pieces Set, 40 Pieces Set, 56 Pieces Set, And Vary Sizes Flat Plate of 12" Plate,10.5" Plate, 9” Plate, 8" Plate, 6" Plate; Soup Plate 8', 8.5" and 9"; Soup Bowl Several Size; Mug and Coffee Set; Oval Platter 14'. 12" and 10" Meet your More Occasions Requirement
- These dessert plates have a lip all around the edge to prevent food runaway, Bone China Porcelain Dessert Plates Assorted colors, Floral Pattern, Set of 6
- Six Porcelain Appetizer Plates
- Material: Bone China Porcelain Rose Chintz with 10 Carat Gold Trim
- Dishwasher Safe
- Not Safe in Microwave
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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.
