How to Tell Porcelain from Faience. Differences Between Faience and Porcelain
Many people use household items made from different types of ceramics. But not many can accurately determine what type they are. The most popular types of ceramics are faience and porcelain. For example, soft porcelain is used to make artistic and decorative items, while hard porcelain is used for tableware, ceramic electrical insulators, radio and electrical engineering parts, and sanitary ware. Faience is used to produce facing tiles, tableware and sanitary ware.
In this article, we will try to understand why these types of ceramics have become so popular and, most importantly, explain how to tell faience from porcelain.
Let us start with porcelain. Porcelain is a material made from fine ceramics. It is characterized by high water impermeability, resistance to chemicals and high temperatures. In addition, it has electrical insulating properties and is resistant to mechanical impact.
Porcelain is usually made from kaolin, quartz, feldspar and other clay components. Bone ash is not used in all porcelain; it is added to bone china. Items are produced by high-temperature firing, often in the range of about 1200–1450 °C. There are hard-paste, soft-paste and bone china types. Hard porcelain is usually denser and stronger than soft porcelain, so it is often used for tableware, sanitary ware, electrical insulators and technical parts. Soft porcelain is more often used for decorative items and fine tableware.
Faience often has a white or light-colored body, but its structure differs from porcelain. Similar mineral components can be used in production, but the body composition and firing mode are different. The firing temperature is usually lower than porcelain, often up to 1280 °C, so the body is less vitrified and more porous.
Faience is more porous, and its water absorption rate is much higher. Therefore, it is covered with a thin layer of waterproof glaze so that the item does not absorb moisture and odors during use.
Faience and porcelain — main differences
Several methods can help you distinguish faience from porcelain:
- By sound. Porcelain has a clearer ring. Lightly tap the item. If you hear a clear, ringing sound, it is porcelain; a low and dull sound is a sign of a faience item.
- By translucency. Hold the item up to the light. If the item is translucent, it is porcelain; if not, it is faience.
- Visual inspection. Look at an unglazed area, for example the foot ring on the bottom. Porcelain usually has a denser, finer and more uniform body; faience often looks more porous and grainy in unglazed areas. A fully glossy surface alone does not prove that the item is faience.
- Porcelain is usually more expensive than faience, especially for quality tableware and decorative items. But price depends not only on the material, but also on the brand, design, firing quality and finish.
- Faience items usually have lower thermal conductivity than porcelain ones, but a household test with a hot cup is not always reliable: the result depends on wall thickness, handle shape and drink temperature.
| Indicator | Porcelain | Faience |
| Sound | Ringing, clear | Low, dull |
| Translucency | Present | Absent |
| Surface character | Dense, fine body in unglazed areas | More porous body, usually covered with glaze |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Thermal conductivity | Higher | Lower |
| Porosity | Very low | Higher |
| Water absorption | Lower | Higher |
| Strength | Higher | Lower |
Which items are better, porcelain or faience? Porcelain is usually more expensive, harder and more durable, and its water absorption is lower. However, porcelain is not always the better choice: for decorative items or inexpensive tableware, quality faience can also be suitable. If cracks appear on faience tableware over time, it is better not to use such dishes for food and drinks: cracks are harder to clean and can collect contamination.
If durability, low water absorption and easier care are important, porcelain is usually chosen. If you need a more affordable option, then when choosing a faience item it is important to pay attention to the manufacturer, glaze quality and appearance: the item should have no chips, cracks or visible coating defects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to tell porcelain from faience at home?
The simplest checks are sound, translucency and the appearance of an unglazed area. Porcelain usually rings more clearly, may be slightly translucent in thin walls and has a denser, more uniform ceramic body.
Does porcelain always let light through?
No, not always. Translucency depends on wall thickness, body composition and firing quality. Thin porcelain is more likely to transmit light, while thick walls or decoration can hide this sign.
Can faience be identified by glaze alone?
Glaze gloss alone is not a reliable way to identify faience. It is better to inspect an unglazed area: faience is usually more porous and grainy, while porcelain is denser and more uniform.