For someone who loves tea or who wants to set a beautiful table, a china tea set can be just what they need to make their table look complete. If you are someone like this, fine English bone china tea sets are easy to find and are surprisingly easy to care for as well. Here is what you need to know if you are in the market for one of these sets.
There are many different materials used to make tea sets. Some materials such as earthenware, can be heavy and are quite durable. Others, such as porcelain are more delicate and easier to break. Bone china is related to porcelain and fine china but there are a few small differences that determine what the material will be called.
When purchasing a set, you need to find out what the percentage of bone ash is in the china. Higher quality china will have a higher percentage of bone dust mixed in the clay. Look for sets that have between 30 and 45 per cent bone dust mixed in with the clay. It should be translucent- that is, when you hold it up to the light, you can see the light through the china.
While it has a hard surface, the fact is that bone china can be broken. It does not bend well and this makes it brittle. You may also find that older sets develop cracks in the finish. Some can be seen by looking at a piece while others need to be held up to the light in order to see damage. If you love a piece and simply want it to use rather than to collect, these cracks should not cause you any concern.
If you are caring for your set properly, there are two times when you have to be more concerned about damage. You will want to be cautious when you are cleaning your set and also when you are putting it into storage for any amount of time. It is at each of these times that damage can occur. There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a favorite piece of your set get a chip or fracture.
When cleaning a set, it can be tempting to use the dishwasher but this may not be the best idea. Remember that the water is very hot and the detergent used in a dishwasher is very strong. If your items have metal accents, the heat from the water can soften the metal and cause it to wear off much more quickly than it would otherwise do.
Storage may seem intimidating at first but it is actually fairly straightforward. Avoid stacking items with handles. If you must, make sure the handles are not contacting one another. Do not hang cups from hooks as this can cause them to break off. Space items properly so that they do not bang into one another as this can cause chips.
Once you begin using and caring for your set you may be amazed at how often you bring it out. You may find that you look for times to use it other than when you are serving guests. By making sure that you take good care of your set you can be sure to be able to use it for many years and may find that your children or grandchildren want to use it along with all of the wonderful memories that comes with it.
There are many different materials used to make tea sets. Some materials such as earthenware, can be heavy and are quite durable. Others, such as porcelain are more delicate and easier to break. Bone china is related to porcelain and fine china but there are a few small differences that determine what the material will be called.
When purchasing a set, you need to find out what the percentage of bone ash is in the china. Higher quality china will have a higher percentage of bone dust mixed in the clay. Look for sets that have between 30 and 45 per cent bone dust mixed in with the clay. It should be translucent- that is, when you hold it up to the light, you can see the light through the china.
While it has a hard surface, the fact is that bone china can be broken. It does not bend well and this makes it brittle. You may also find that older sets develop cracks in the finish. Some can be seen by looking at a piece while others need to be held up to the light in order to see damage. If you love a piece and simply want it to use rather than to collect, these cracks should not cause you any concern.
If you are caring for your set properly, there are two times when you have to be more concerned about damage. You will want to be cautious when you are cleaning your set and also when you are putting it into storage for any amount of time. It is at each of these times that damage can occur. There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a favorite piece of your set get a chip or fracture.
When cleaning a set, it can be tempting to use the dishwasher but this may not be the best idea. Remember that the water is very hot and the detergent used in a dishwasher is very strong. If your items have metal accents, the heat from the water can soften the metal and cause it to wear off much more quickly than it would otherwise do.
Storage may seem intimidating at first but it is actually fairly straightforward. Avoid stacking items with handles. If you must, make sure the handles are not contacting one another. Do not hang cups from hooks as this can cause them to break off. Space items properly so that they do not bang into one another as this can cause chips.
Once you begin using and caring for your set you may be amazed at how often you bring it out. You may find that you look for times to use it other than when you are serving guests. By making sure that you take good care of your set you can be sure to be able to use it for many years and may find that your children or grandchildren want to use it along with all of the wonderful memories that comes with it.
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