what is bone china made of

Bone china is a type of ceramic that is composed of china clay, china stone, and bone ash. The bone ash is made from animal bones, and it is mixed with the other materials to create a durable, lightweight, and elegant material that is most commonly used for the creation of tableware and teaware such as plates, bowls, mugs, and teacups. The first development of bone china was made by Thomas Frye at his Bow Porcelain Factory near Bow in East London in 1748. The quality of bone china is determined by the total amount of bone ash included in the raw materials, and high-quality fine bone china contains at least 30% bone ash, enabling thin-walled pieces to be made with a more delicate appearance. The raw materials for bone china are comparatively expensive, and the production is labor-intensive, which is why bone china maintains a luxury status and high pricing.