I worked in a china shop for 17 years, and was surprised to find out that all is not what it seems. Basically, ceramics can be divided into  4 main groups, which are very different to each other, but generally fulfil the needs of customers.

The first category is stoneware. The plates and bowls tend to be very heavy to hold, and look a little primitive in design, as though they date back to Roman Times. Nevertheless, they have been created to cope with modern day life, and can be used in a microwave, and washed in the dishwasher. A typical example of this is Denby.

The second category is Earthenware, or every day china. This can come in any type of pattern or colour, and is very popular now as people like Jamie Oliver choose the plain white themselves. It is the cheapest of all the china, but it is also the one most likely to chip or crack. Again it is dishwasher, and microwave, friendly. An example of this is Johnson’s Eternal Beau.

The next category is  Porcelain. Back in the 1980s many very elegant sets were made  in the  Philippines, as labour is cheap out there. However, the china was very elegant, and when exported to the Uk, became very expensive to buy. Porcelain is very strong, and the only difference between it and bone china in appearance, is that the white in it tends to look cream in comparison. It doesn’t chip or break easily, and will go in the dishwasher, but as most of these patterns have either silver or gold edging, they cannot be put in a microwave. An example of this is Noritake Richmond, which I have pictured here.

I have saved the most important category until last. Bone China, contrary to popular belief, is the strongest china in the world. It has animal bone meal put into it when being manufactured, which gives it the white appearance. It looks delicate, but a man can stand on a teacup without breaking it, as has been proved. It is really the best china for every day use, but price prohibits this, and sadly it tends to be the ” best” china, which is left in the cupboard, and only brought out on high days and holidays. You cannot beat British Bone China, and we have Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Aynsley, and many more to prove it.

The shift onto plain and practical china is a sign of the times unfortunately, am I the only person who still enjoys a cup of tea out of a nice bone china mug or cup? I do hope not, as this is all part of our heritage, and our very English roots.