All About Ceramics

Ceramics come to be when different kinds of stone is ground into a fine powder, then mixed with water until what results is a paste like substance. This resulting paste is appropriately formed and fired in a and oven called a kiln at very high temperatures until the particles of stone melt and fuse together to create a strong glass like substance.Bone China is a very glass like, smooth, non-porous pottery. It's made from bone ash, china stone and fine china clay or kaolin. Bone china is light weight and thin, and is fired at very high temperatures. You'll find that bone china patterns tend to be more formal and despite it's delicate appearance doesn't chip very easily. It has the distinction of being the finest and most expensive dishware available.Porcelain is another non-porous pottery. It's made from fine kaolin and is fired at more 1250 degrees. porcelain is a translucent, thin and light weight dishware that originated in China. Though it appears quite delicate it's actually stronger than stoneware. Price wise, porcelain is generally less expensive than bone china and is available in casual and formal patterns.Another kind of ceramic is Stoneware. This is a dense kaolin, fired between 1200 a??1450 degrees to create a very porous ceramic. It's neither translucent or heavy and chips more easily than porcelain or bone china. Stoneware has a casual appearance and is generally glazed in muted earth tones. It can have fine detail or be rough and grainy. Stoneware is quite a bit more affordable than porcelain or bone china.Earthenware a coarse, porous pottery and fired at a low temperature between 800-1000 degrees. Earthenware chips quite easily and has a casual appearance. It formed by hand and is often glazed in bright colors.When considering care for your ceramics you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Keeping in mind that direct heat sources can and do cause rapid changes in temperature. These changes can cause cracking. This aversion to heat means you should never put your antique or any fine ceramics in the dishwasher. Ceramics