Post #47803 by Saint-Thomas on Thu, Aug 14, 2003 1:06 PM

You are absolutely right on all accounts, TikiBong. The firing proccess is about the only thing that is more expensive vs. other ceramics. However, porcelain can be made to vitrify at the same temperature as stoneware or earthenware by adjusting the feldspar. It is common for large production facilites to use porcelain in their molds to make dinnerware for pennies. Then they put the word "Porcelain" on it somewhere and jack up the price.
A good way to tell what your cups are made from is to give it a ring. Providing that it has no cracks or glaze defects, a "DING" indicates high fire (a bell - like sound for porcelain), and a "TINK" indicates low fire. A "THUNK" indicates that it is cracked or very thick.
So you are probably right about the materials because of the cost of firing, but I just wanted to say that it can be done easily and inexpensively.
Cheers!