Help me pick my FINE CHINA.....

trae3

Hi ladies,

I can't decide between these 3 china patterns:

Lenox Opal Innocence: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=104195&RN=2349&

Noritake Silver Palace: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=102186&RN=2349&

Mikasa Venetian Lace: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=110117&RN=2349&

Which would you choose and why? Is one a "better" brand to go with? One better quality? I'm so indecisive. Help me pick. Thank you!

coraloc

Umm I can tell you that Opal Innocence goes on sale at Macy's for like 79.99 and BB&B doesn't even come close to that price.

That being said, I'd say Mikasa's probably the least quality fine china company and Lenox is  the only American-based china manufacturer.

Other than that, it's your pattern that you have to live with so you should make that decision.

pisha82

I am a fan of lenox. It is what we have and what our family has always had. I feel like it never changes or goes away and lasts forever. However I do know both other brands are great and it depends on which one you life better. I feel like you can always get better deals on lenox. Macys always has sales and there is the outlet. Mikasa has an outlet also, but Idk if there china is there. Hopefully some other ladies here have had the other brands and can give you a review.

egm900

We registered for Opal Innocence, it's a very popular pattern (I think someone on here said it was #2 best-selling china pattern of all time), so it won't be going away anytime soon, and it should be easy to find.  We doubt we'll get much of our fine china, so we wanted to make sure that we would be able to pick up a few pieces every year for a long time.

cwaggoner07

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_help-me-pick-my-fine-china?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:47eab9d9-44fd-4b49-b9e1-33b3e2d7668fPost:aa8cf0fa-6971-41b5-abb6-d78ba00d464f">Re: Help me pick my FINE CHINA.....</a>:
[QUOTE]We registered for Opal Innocence, it's a very popular pattern<strong> (I think someone on here said it was #2 best-selling china pattern of all time)</strong>, so it won't be going away anytime soon, and it should be easy to find.  We doubt we'll get much of our fine china, so we wanted to make sure that we would be able to pick up a few pieces every year for a long time.
Posted by egm900[/QUOTE]

I remember this, and was going to repeat it.
TBH, they all look VERY similar and VERY beautiful, so I would stick with Opal Innocence just for ease of completing your set or growing it through the years.

divinemsbee

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_help-me-pick-my-fine-china?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:47eab9d9-44fd-4b49-b9e1-33b3e2d7668fPost:aa8cf0fa-6971-41b5-abb6-d78ba00d464f">Re: Help me pick my FINE CHINA.....</a>:
[QUOTE]We registered for Opal Innocence, it's a very popular pattern (I think someone on here said it was #2 best-selling china pattern of all time), so it won't be going away anytime soon, and it should be easy to find.  We doubt we'll get much of our fine china, so we wanted to make sure that we would be able to pick up a few pieces every year for a long time.
Posted by egm900[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>I also remember reading this. It's all about if you think you're going to get a good bit of it or if you're going to be completing the pattern over many years. I like the Noritake, and they're really reputable, but the Lenox is more popular, and that's good to take into account. </div>

hoffse

Yes the lenox pattern is the #2 pattern of all time - the #1 pattern in the last 10 years.  They just came out with a 10th anniversary accent plate which is neat.  So I would go with that, if you anticipate collecting for awhile - ie, not getting all the pieces right after the wedding.  It also has a lot more optional pieces than the other two patterns, and there is coordinating semiformal china, etc. that you can buy to dress it up or down.

I'm not sure if Mikasa and Noritake do this, but I know that Lenox lets you "register" your pattern with them (by serial number) - and then if anything ever breaks, they will let you get a replacement for half price, as long as they make the pattern.  Since opal innocence looks like it's going to be around for a loooong time, that might be useful if you see yourself giving your china heavy use or moving in the next several years.

I would go with Lenox.

hoffse

Oh and the other thing - the noritake pattern has a fun holiday accent plate that matches.  I'm registering for it to mix/match it with our lenox pearl platinum pattern for the holidays.  So you can also mix/match if you like the cup from one, the salad plate from another, etc.

Cackle6

Quality wise, the Lenox and Noritake are comparable. The Mikasa is still good quality, but just not quite on the same level as the other two.

Have you seen these all in person?If you haven't seen them in person, be sure you go into the store and ask to see all three of them down on the table, because it really does make a difference.

Personally, out of those three I like the Opal Innocence best. l do not care for that particular Noritake pattern, but that's just me - I think it's because the platnium band on it is a little wider than most and it just looks kinda clunky to me. Also, ditto what PP said about it being available pretty much forever, so it will be easier to purchase pieces down the road. The Noritake will probably stick around for a good long time too, but Mikasa tends to have styles come and go.

Above all, just make sure it is a pattern that you LOVE, as you'll have it forever.

JoanE2012

I vote for the Lenox.  You can also shop at the outlets and buy additional pieces that are rated "seconds" for a considerable discount.....and you often still don't know what is "wrong" with it.  It's timeless and given the popularity, it won't be going away anytime soon.

rlavach

They all look virtually identical to me. I've also read about the popularity of the Lenox set. While in one way that's good because it shouldn't be hard to find replacements in the future, I'm also not a fan of having the same thing as everyone else. We got a different pattern from Noritake and are very happy with it. It's very durable.

starael

I remember looking at the Opal Innocence pattern in Macy's and I thought the pattern was gorgeous. I didn't end up registering for it, or any formal china, because we just don't have room in our place and I am  very clumsy, but I loved the delicate beadwork on that pattern. I would go for that!

starael

I remember looking at the Opal Innocence pattern in Macy's and I thought the pattern was gorgeous. I didn't end up registering for it, or any formal china, because we just don't have room in our place and I am  very clumsy, but I loved the delicate beadwork on that pattern. I would go for that!