Bone China is made from a mixture of bone ash and highly refined clay and is typically fired at over 2200° F. It is pure white or cream and translucent. Bone china is the most durable of the ceramic types that are discussed here.

Porcelain is made from highly refined white clay and can be fired at over 2300° F. It is often translucent and non-porous. Porcelain tends to be thinner and lighter than stoneware with a more delicate appearance.

Stoneware is a hard, durable ceramic made of light colored clay typically fired at over 2200° F. It is opaque and porous. Stoneware dinnerware tends to be thicker and heavier than porcelain or china. It can be glazed in a wide variety of colors and finishes (matte, satin, and shiny) for diverse designs.

Earthenware is made from a mixture of clay and sand and is usually fired at temperatures near 2100° F. Earthenware is opaque and porous and tends to be less resistant to chipping than stoneware. Earthenware is an ideal medium for hand-painted and embossed designs. The lower firing temperatures allow for more intense color than would be possible with other types of ceramics. Ironstone is a heavier, stronger type of earthenware.

Reactive Glaze is a glazing technique used on Stoneware to create unique colors and pattern variation. Once the Glaze is applied, it undergoes a reaction under extreme temperatures during the firing process. The results are beautiful multi-tonal colors and patterns like our ever popular Painted Poppies and Rustic Leaves dinnerware. The nature and hand-crafted qualities of this type of glaze, ensures that no two pieces will be exactly alike.

Protik porcelain is microwave, conventional oven, freezer and dishwasher safe. We suggest the following when baking in your porcelain:

1. Do not subject your porcelain to sudden or extreme temperature changes. Start your oven no higher than 225°F for the first 10 minutes, then increase to a temperature no higher than 350 degrees.
2. Do not place hot dishes on a wet surface or handle with a wet cloth. The hot dish may break when touching the colder water.
3. Do not place porcelain on direct heat, in the broiler, or under a microwave browning element.
4. Always use a padded mitt when removing from oven or microwave.
5. When warming in microwave, use the porcelain piece that best fits the portion size. This way, all items will heat evenly and not cause “hot spots” in your piece that could lead to crazing and cracking.
6. Porcelain with a metallic rim should not be used in a microwave.