Condition Guide

Grading Criteria

Tableware Items

Tableware items are usually made from bone china, porcelain, stoneware or pottery. Therefore as the product ages, or depending on how durable the glaze is, signs from use and age can become apparent in different ways

Premium - 

• new condition, no signs of use, WITH factory/retailer stickers - however NOT guaranteed to be unused

Grade 1 -

• minor wear/scratches from minimal use
• minor blemishes, e.g speck under glaze
• very minor gilt wear

 Grade 2 -

• general surface wear
• good factory marked seconds
• un-obvious glaze blemishes, i.e pitting/grit under glaze
• minor pattern faults
• minor age related clean surface crazing - giftware items ONLY

We do occasionally have the opportunity to offer products currently in production from the manufacturers we search for. These items wuld be graded into one of the two following conditions

Brand New -

• Items bought directly from the manufacturer - may not have any manufacturer packaging/labels

Brand New (Seconds) -

• Items bought directly from the manufacturer. There may be a marginal fault to the finish, the decoration or the shape. The fault is not structural, i.e. each piece still functions as intended and is usable - may not have any manufacturer packaging/labels

Glassware Items

Due to the nature of how these products have been made, tool marks may occasionally be apparent, as are small air bubbles, very minor blemishes. Some items may vary in weight or thickness aswell, therefore any sizes/weights given are approximate

Premium - 

• new condition, no signs of use, WITH factory/retailer stickers - however NOT guaranteed to be unused

Grade 1 -

• as new condition
• manufacturer marked (if Manufacturer normally marks products)
• very minor blemishes, e.g small bubble in item 

Grade 2 -

• minor surface wear
• good factory marked seconds/not etched
• very minor gilt wear (if applicable) if etched

Cutlery Items

Premium - 

• new condition, no signs of use, WITH factory/retailer stickers - however NOT guaranteed to be unused

Grade 1 -

• minor wear/scratches from minimal use
• very minor gilt wear (if applicable)

Grade 2 -

• general surface wear
• good factory marked seconds
• un-obvious surface blemishes

We strive to accurately describe all of the items we offer, however if you are not satisfied with any purchase from ChinaMatchers, please do not hesitate to contact within 14 days from the date of receipt of your order

--------------------------------------------

Vintage Items

We also offer a selection of 'vintage' items. These are patterns/items that are usually older than what we would normally search for, or by a manufacturer that is generally of an era where production methods and quality control was quite different to more modern techniques. Rest assured, no items will be chipped or cracked, but do be aware of our grading criteria as stated below 

• Due to their age, our vintage items may include some light, age related surface scratching or crazing, or some very minor gilt wear (if applicable) Please be assured, that NONE of our items will be chipped or cracked

--------------------------------------------

Collector Plates

We do search and supply collector plates, our grading criteria is very similar to the above products, but as these are to be displayed and not used, our grading criteria is slightly different

Premium - 

• new condition, no signs of use, either with factory/retailer stickers, or with certificate - however NOT guaranteed to be unused

Grade 1 -

• Not boxed, no factory/retailer stickers or certificates, looks as new

Grade 2 -

• minor wear/scratches from minimal use
• very minor gilt wear (if applicable)
• good factory marked seconds
• un-obvious surface blemishes

We do not sell items which are chipped or cracked, and all pieces receive several condition checks before they leave us. However, rest assured, if you are not happy with your order for whatever reason, we offer a 14 day no question return service