Bone China Mugs
Bone China mugs are made from the toughest quality of porcelain which is also the finest and most durable. These mugs are thinner than most varieties of porcelain and also lighter. When you choose a mug or a set of mugs you will have a choice between earthenware, stoneware and any simple porcelain, but bone china is the material which has not only been around since centuries, but is also regarded as most stylish and is a hit with all ages. Most well stocked homes are bound to have at least one set of mugs made from fine bone china. This material is actually a mix of bone ash, fine china clay, china stone and kaolin. Bone ash is its most significant ingredient and that is what gives it a glass-like, smooth non-porous finish. According to standards, for china to be classified as ‘bone china’ it should have at least 25% bone ash. Most varieties have 50% bone ash, 25% china stone and 25% kaolin.
Bone China Mugs are delicate yet tough towards chipping and very long lasting. Though they might look quite similar to porcelain but they have a slightly translucent appearance and are clearer, durable and whiter. Bone China allows light to pass thorough which makes it look translucent when it’s put against light, though not totally transparent. While buying mugs made from bone china you are bound to be smitten by the variety. There are so many shapes, sizes and designs. Every flower under the sun has been portrayed on bone china, and also paintings, patterns, cartoons and almost anything you can dream of. However the most important consideration when buying these mugs should be the strength. When you are making the purchase ask the shopkeeper about the strength of the materials as it has been graded under different levels.
Bone China mugs are fairly easy to handle and an absolute asset, but some precautions will make your experience all the more rewarding. Bone china doesn’t handle temperature contrasts very well, so make sure you do not subject it to the same. Never shove your hot mug directly under cold water. Also, avoid making tea or coffee directly in it, instead make it in some other utensil and then later transfer it to the mug. A common practice is to hang the mugs by the handle for storing them, avoid this with the bone china mugs as this will put unnecessary pressure on the handles and cause them to break-off. Many mugs have decorative materials and which are not fit for exposure to the microwave oven so make sure you do not out them in. Also do not scrub the mug with metal scrubbers as it can spoil the decorations and also leave scratches on the smooth surface. While storing away the mugs separate them by using paper so that they do not rub against each other, prefer to put them away in closed areas.
These mugs are a prized possession and if you are a little careful you can enjoy them thoroughly. It’s often said tea or coffee tastes much better in a bone china mug.
