What is the difference between china and porcelain?

The main difference between porcelain and fine bone china is the inclusion of up to 50 percent bone ash in the porcelain mixture that makes up bone china. China is also typically fired at a lower temperature than porcelain, which is double-fired at very high temperatures.

The higher temperature and double-firing that produce porcelain results in a harder and more brittle material with a non-porous surface that has both industrial and ornamental applications. Fine bone china is more delicate than porcelain, with a warmer, translucent finish. It is typically more expensive than porcelain. Fine china is produced without the inclusion of bone ash from similar materials to porcelain.