All tableware, especially dishes, may look the same.

But, did you know that they are all different despite their visual similarity? Everyday tableware comes in a few different materials which include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Tablewares like stoneware and earthenware are decorative and practical choices for everyday use. Whereas, tableware that is made from porcelain offers a more refined look and greater durability. 

Stoneware

Stoneware is non-porous ceramic dinnerware made from stoneware clay that has been fired at a temperature between 2150 and 2330 degrees Fahrenheit. Its construction is thicker than porcelain and china. The relatively high firing temperature, thick build, and mix of clay and vitreous ceramic materials all help to make this dinnerware durable. This dinnerware will often have colour patterns and variations similar to natural stone as well before being glazed.

Much like other dinnerware, stonewares can be glazed to have a colourful matte or glossy finish. In general, stoneware provides a rustic, earthy appearance that makes it great for casual restaurants or those looking for a farm-to-table feel.

Earthenware

In comparison to stonewares, earthenware is fired at a lower temperature to make it hard and must be glazed or painted before use. For a more economical choice of dinnerware, earthenware is the right choice, given the relatively cheaper cost. But it tends to chip and break much easier than stoneware. Similar to stoneware, earthenware has a rustic look to it. Even so, artists like to make earthenware because it is easy to work with and less expensive. 

Porcelain

Porcelain is a dinnerware made of a fine-particle clay—typically comprised of feldspar, kaolin, and quartz—that is fired at a higher temperature. This makes the resulting dinnerware extremely durable and nonporous. This process also allows the body to be thinner and more delicately constructed which gives it a translucent appearance, as well as allowing for shaped details to be incorporated into the design of the body.

These days, porcelain does not only come in white. Just like stonewares with porcelain durability, reactive glazes can be applied on porcelain. Colourful glazed porcelains can add a fun touch to your dining experience and be a good addition to your tableware collection. 

It is important to make sure that the material of your everyday dinnerware set is microwave and dishwasher safe. If you are concerned with chipping, you should look into a white porcelain or stoneware. Choose the material of your dinnerware according to your daily needs.