We’ve been updating the gift ideas for our anniversary suggestions and wanted to clarify what the difference is between China, Pottery, Porcelain and Bone China as each of these are a different wedding anniversary symbol.

Pottery (Traditional 8th Wedding Anniversary gift symbol) is a very generic term. It is generally used to refer to items made from clay. Within this context, we think it refers to handmade items by the artisan, or craftsperson using their hands, moulds, or a potter’s wheel.

China (Traditional 20th Wedding anniversary gift symbol), in this context, refers to a dinnerware coming out of the country of China which is particularly fine and generally with a white base. The mineral Kaolin is used to achieve this look. When original defined the china symbol inferred good quality products and not the cheap mass produced items that china produce nowadays, you can still find good quality china products in places like the House of Fraser.

Bone china, which is a generic term as it has bone ash added to the clay and was the English response to china’s high-quality porcelain exports. Its characteristics give it whiteness and translucency that is often considered better than Chinese porcelain however its high manufacturing costs have always kept it in the luxury market rather than the broad spectrum some porcelains enjoy. Originally developed by Wedgewood the name is still synonymous with Bone China today.

Porcelain (Modern 18th Wedding anniversary gift symbol) is the term used to refer to high-quality ceramics typically originating from the China region. Kaolin is used in the manufacture, and it is usually delicate however it is also relatively tough. With good quality Porcelain, you should be able to see the shadow of your fingers if you hold it up to the light with your fingers behind it.