News — stains on china

All fine china requires some level of specialized care, with particular concerns existing for gold detailed pieces. Nearly every popular china manufacturer has a pattern featuring gold details, often rim trims, handles and highlights. Spouts and footings are often heavily decorated in gold. Hand washing is the preferred method for cleaning china. When cleaning bone china, use non-abrasive mild detergent and wipe with soft, non-abrasive rags to gently remove any excess food or sauce. Lemon-based detergents are best avoided when it comes to fine china, as repeated use of lemon-based cleaners can cause pitting in delicate gold details. Sometimes, oxidation or discoloration can occur...

Crazing is that spider-web, fine crackling in the glaze surface on older pieces of bone china. It is a naturally occurring event in many glazed surfaces and can even be found in cabinet-life only pieces.Mostly crackling adds to the old-world charm of a much loved plate or cup, but if tea, coffee, or even fats and oils enter these tiny, spider web cracks, over time, the piece may become stained. While there is no cure for the actual crazing, these pieces can often be clean successfully and be restored to their former beauty. We have bought and sold many beautiful, older pieces of...