What's the difference between Porcelain and Stoneware?
We work with two types of clay—porcelain and stoneware—both are variations of clay, dug from the earth, refined, formed by hand, then glazed, then fired into functional pieces of pottery.
Clay begins its journey high in the mountains.
Porcelain, with its high kaolin content and minimal impurities, is found closer to its original deposits, resulting in a smooth, bright white clay body. Stoneware, known as a secondary clay, travels farther down the river, collecting iron, carbon, and other minerals along the way—giving it a richer, more rustic texture.
Porcelain contains higher percentages of kaolin with less impurities and is found higher up on the mountain (closer to the original deposits) and therefore is a very smooth clean white clay body. Stoneware (secondary clay) takes a longer journey down the river where it picks up more iron, carbon, and other mineral deposits leaving it with a more natural and rustic texture.
Now let's break this down a little further....
PORCELAIN
Most people are more familiar with porcelain dinnerware. Porcelain dinnerware is widely recognized for its lightweight feel, smooth texture, and traditionally is more delicate than stoneware.
Our porcelain dinnerware is more durable than most due to both to the specific custom clay blend we use, and the extremely high temperatures reached in our gas kiln (over 2400°F!). This intense firing process creates a refined, consistent texture while enhancing strength for everyday use.
When we were developing our Signature Collection, high-fire porcelain was the obvious choice—it’s durable enough for the heat and intensity of professional kitchens, yet refined enough to elevate a home dining experience.
Our Signature Collection pieces are offered in ten glazes: Meringue, Pebble, Charcoal, Robin, Coffee, Lichen, Charcoal, Agave, Butter, and Dusk
STONEWARE
Stoneware is more rustic, it has an earthy texture and stone-like quality with a more unrefined finish. Stoneware is typically a bit heavier than porcelain. Our stoneware has tiny specks of iron in it that will bleed through the glasses and leave tiny little ‘freckles’ on the surface of the glaze. Because of it's earthy texture, stoneware pieces have more variation in color, as the glaze subtly interacts with the natural variation in the clay(as pictured below).
We retired our stoneware pieces for now in order to make space in the kiln for restaurant orders. Occasionally, they make a comeback. They're available in 3-glazes: Autumn, Hudson, and Oat.
Porcelain vs. Stoneware: What’s the Difference?
|
Stoneware |
Porcelain |
|
Rustic Earthy Hearty Small specks of iron in the grog will show through the glaze giving it just a touch more character and a bit more natural variation *Product colors may have more variation |
Light Clean Durable. Consistent Due to the natural strength of porcelain, we are able to make our porcelain line slightly thinner and lighter than our stoneware line giving it a more delicate feel while maintaining the same strength and durability as the Stoneware |
Why We Choose Porcelain for Our Signature Collection
Our Signature Collection is crafted exclusively from high-fire porcelain because it strikes the perfect balance between beauty, durability, and craftsmanship. It’s strong enough for the demands of professional kitchens, yet refined enough to elevate any dining experience. Porcelain allows us to achieve the smooth, organic edges and stunning glaze finishes that define our work.
But our love for ceramics doesn’t stop at porcelain. We also create small batches of stoneware throughout the year, each with its own character and charm. Due to our limited kiln capacity, these are produced in exclusive runs—explore our stoneware collection here.
Porcelain: The Choice of Chefs and Makers
When designing our Signature Collection, porcelain was the obvious choice. Over the years, we’ve collaborated with top chefs and restaurants to create custom dinnerware tailored to their unique plating styles and kitchen workflows. Through this process, we’ve refined dozens of designs—some custom, some timeless staples—that we now call our Chef’s Table Collection. Each piece is designed to stack perfectly, hold sauces beautifully, and perform effortlessly in fast-paced restaurant settings.
Our porcelain dinnerware is lightweight, yet incredibly strong, making it the perfect material for both professional kitchens and home dining. Unlike traditional glossy restaurant plates, our signature satin-matte glazes minimize glare, allowing the food to take center stage—whether in a dimly lit dining room or through the lens of a camera.
Final Thoughts
Next time you pick up a ceramic piece, take a moment to feel the texture, observe the glaze, and notice the craftsmanship. Whether it’s earthenware, stoneware, or porcelain, every piece carries the history of fire, clay, and human touch.
We choose porcelain for our Signature Collection because it allows us to create dinnerware that is not just functional, but full of soul. Because a plate isn’t just a plate—it’s a canvas, a vessel, and a part of the story you’re telling at the table.
