Some of the most beautiful man-made objects in the world are ceramic, and bone china leads the way in many different categories. People who are interested in collecting unique pieces put a lot of effort into doing their research, and it can pay off handsomely. For those who have a private collection, it can represent many long hours of searching for each piece. Many older pieces come from different sets, but shopping around in different areas can be a way to assemble an entire set over time.
Any collectible items are those that have been set apart by their beauty, their longevity and even the desire of one or more people to acquire them. Two sets of bone china could be manufactured at the same time, place and in an almost identical pattern, but only one of them might be considered collectible. There are various reasons for this, but it is mainly due to how many people desire a particular pattern or piece.
Learning how to spot a collectible piece is one of the most important parts of being a collector, and amateurs often neglect this facet of their hobby. They might only be interested in pieces they like, but those who are serious will learn how to identify collectible pieces in any setting. Going through small shops, clicking on sale sites and even haunting garage sales is how many good pieces have been found over the years. It requires a huge investment of time, so it is often a passion for those who collect.
Being educated in bone china collectibles does not need to be part of a formal education, and many collectors have found it is best to simply set aside time to do their own research. They learn how to spot the pieces they want, learn the various marks that identify the manufacturers they prefer, and they are ready to begin creating their own collection.