Fine jewelry and china can be pricey.
Fine china and fine jewelry can be pricey, so it is wise to do some research and understand the elements that go into producing the product. China is often used as a generic term for all dinnerware. However, there is a big difference between earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and bone china. When purchasing jewelry, it is wise to understand value gold and gemstones.
History of Fine China
The term china, which is another name for porcelain, comes from the fact that the first porcelain is thought to have been produced before the year 900 in China. Chinese Ming dynasty vases and bowls are still revered today. Porcelain appeared in Korea, Japan and Europe by the 1500s. The first European porcelain was produced in Florence, Italy.
Hard-Paste Porcelain
Hard-paste porcelain was first developed in China, made from kaolin and petuntse. This type of fine china is still considered ideal today. Porcelain made this way is produced at extremely high temperatures, causing the body and the glaze to become fused.
Soft-Paste Porcelain
Soft-paste porcelain resulted when Europeans tried to manufacture the hard-paste porcelain produced by the Chinese. Made from mixtures of clay and glassy materials, soft-paste porcelain melts at high temperatures and is therefore partially porous. When broken, the layer of glaze over the body of the piece is visible. Some collectors value this type of fine china for its creamy tone and soft decorative effects.
Bone China
Bone china, another form of fine china, was created around 1800 when Josiah Spode of England added bone ash to kaolin and pentuntse, producing a porcelain that is translucent and more durable than soft-paste, but softer than hard-paste porcelain. England still produces most of the bone china worldwide. Spode china is known for designs featuring exotic birds.
Gold Jewelry
Much fine jewelry is made of gold. When buying gold jewelry, look for the karat stamp that indicates the purity of the gold. In general, the higher the gold content the softer the piece. A stamp indicating "18K" means that the gold is 18 karats, or 75 percent pure. Likewise, "14K" indicates 14 karat gold, which is 58.5 percent pure, and "10K" or 10 karats is only 41.7 percent pure, the lowest level acceptable in the United States. Be on the lookout for jewelry that appears to be gold but that is in fact gold plated, with a thin layer of gold over another metal.
Gemstone Jewelry
When purchasing gemstone jewelry, be aware of the four C's of evaluation: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. These values are somewhat standardized in charts that present grades for diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other gemstones.
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