What does crazing mean in china?

Author: Sabrina Russel  |  Last update: Monday, December 1, 2025

Crazing is the effect on pottery which causes it to have a web of tiny cracks over its surface. These are not cracks in the actual structure of the pottery but actually an effect on the glazed part of the pottery.

Is it safe to use china with crazing?

This glaze defect is called crazing. It is food safe as long as the glaze is still strongly adhered to the clay body (it usually is). Over time there will be discoloration in the cracks as they can never be completely cleaned but it will not be dangerous. I would hand wash only.

Is crazed china worth anything?

Crazing diminishes the value of most pieces depending on the severity and rarity of pieces. Royal Winton is a manufacturer known by collectors to have a propensity to craze.

Is crazing good or bad?

Surface crazing is generally considered harmless, except that it can lead to other problems in foodware. First, the crazing weakens the underlying clay, and can lead to cracking while in use.

Can you still use dishes that have crazing?

Are Dishes With Crazing Safe to Use? Technically, crazing is considered a defect in the glaze and can weaken the item. It may also harbor bacteria. For this reason, if you are buying pieces to use for serving food you should look for uncrazed pieces.

What is Crazing on China? What to look out for from The Fine China Man

Is crazing still food safe?

Crazing is often seen as an interesting visual element, but from a food safety point of view, crazed ware is unacceptable. Crazing can severely weaken a piece and provide space where water can enter and saturate the clay if it's not completely vitrified. The cracks may also harbor bacteria if not sanitized regularly.

Is there a way to fix crazing?

Conversely, ways to correct crazing include changing to a different clay body which better fits the glaze, adding silica to the existing clay body or increasing the firing temperature. Commercial clay bodies often already have silica added to prevent crazing.

What is the difference between crazing and cracking?

It's possible to distinguish between cracking and crazing by pattern (crazing manifests in mostly parallel rows, while cracked paint has a "checkerboard" appearance), whether paint has attached firmly (crazed paint usually achieves firm adhesion) and whether paint is flexible or brittle (crazing can occur in soft paint ...

How to prevent crazing in dishes?

Here are some tips for changing the makeup of the glaze to avoid crazing:
  1. Increase the silica.
  2. Decrease the feldspar.
  3. Decrease any materials containing potash/soda.
  4. Increase the boric oxide.
  5. Increase the alumina.

Is Chinese ceramic safe?

While ceramic dishes come from all over the world, the FDA recommends that ceramic dishes specifically imported from China — where manufacturing practices may not be as carefully regulated — be vigilantly monitored for lead content.

What china brands are worth money?

Introduction to Top Brands of Fine China
  • Royal Copenhagen.
  • Wedgwood.
  • Herend.
  • Meissen.
  • Bernardaud.

How can I tell if my china is valuable?

How Do I Know If My China Is Valuable
  1. Maker's mark: Look for the manufacturer's mark or backstamp on the bottom of the piece of china. ...
  2. Pattern and design: The china pattern and design of the piece of china can influence its value. ...
  3. Age: The age of the piece or peices of china can also affect its value.

Why does old china craze?

They occur due to seepage of moisture through very small (and sometimes invisible to the naked eye) cracks in the glaze often referred to as crazing, crackle or pin holes in the glaze. The penetrated moisture combined with organic matter (Tea & coffee, oil, fat, food, dust, etc.)

Does crazing devalue china?

The presence of crazing usually diminishes the value of objects but it can depend on the severity of the damage and rarity of the crazed piece.

Can you paint over crazing?

Cracked paint can be an eyesore, and can degrade the look and feel of your home. In short, yes you can paint over cracked paint, but it isn't as simple as one may assume. Whilst, you can simply paint over it with a coat of fresh paint, that isn't a guarantee the cracking won't return.

Is it OK to use old china?

And those pieces of china with decorations atop the glaze rather than beneath the glaze may contain lead. If any of your pieces of antique or vintage china or pottery is damaged in any way (chips, cracks, crazing, etc.), don't use it in the preparation or service of food.

Can you eat off plates with crazing?

It is not advisable to eat directly off of plates with crazing. Food particles and bacteria can become trapped in the fine cracks which increases the risk of food contamination.

How do you tell the age of a bone china?

Take a clear snapshot of the hallmark. Use the image to find similar hallmarks in ceramic and porcelain books or websites. The hallmark can show the Bone china's age and manufacturer. The product's age and condition define its authenticity and value.

Will fine china come back in style?

Fine China Finding Fans Again Because of Pandemic. Here's some great news about table settings and fine china in the home. A New York Times report shared that there's a huge upswing for fine china and more creative and fancier tableware since so many have had to eat so many meals at home during the pandemic.

What is alligatoring?

Alligatoring paint is paint that has cracked in a pattern that resembles an alligator's scales. This unattractive cracked paint makes a building look poorly maintained. A well-maintained building preserves property values and the quality of the community.

What are the 3 types of cracking?

The two main types of cracking are thermal cracking and catalytic cracking. Thermal cracking includes steam cracking and delayed coking, while catalytic cracking comprises fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and hydrocracking.

What does crazing look like?

These structures (known as crazes) typically appear as linear features and frequently precede brittle fracture. The fundamental difference between crazes and cracks is that crazes contain polymer fibrils (5-30 nm in diameter), constituting about 50% of their volume, whereas cracks do not.

Can you reverse crazing?

Once crazing happens, a full restoration can only occur in a reproduction. An original photo can be stabilized to slow down the damage, but it is hard to reverse the damage from crazing.

How to avoid crazing?

Consider some of the suggestions often given:
  1. Apply a thinner glaze coat. ...
  2. Add increasing amounts of silica. ...
  3. Remove some feldspar and line blend additions of silica. ...
  4. Firing higher or over a longer time. ...
  5. Add increments of 5% silica to the clay body. ...
  6. Slow cool the glaze kiln, don't open it until it is below 200°C (390°F)

Can you reglaze old china?

Yes, pottery can be successfully reglazed, provided the process is executed correctly. The key lies in fully removing the original glaze and adequately preparing the clay body to accept fresh glazing. Reglazing is most effective on stoneware and porcelain bodies.

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