Years ago an antique dealer gave me a recipe involving milk and cooking the china in the brew to get rid of the cracking in old china. Does anyone know anything about this? My grandmother's china is not fine china, but it is pretty and has a gold edge painted on it. Most is not crackled, but several pieces are.

Phyllis, December 2004

I found this answer at: http://www.rd.com/content/extraordinary-uses-for-milk/

Repair cracked china
Before you throw out that cracked plate from your grandmother's old china set, try mending it with milk. Place the plate in a pan, cover it with milk (fresh or reconstituted powdered milk), and bring to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes. The protein in the milk will miraculously meld most fine cracks.

I also found, at: http://www.quickandsimple.com/solutions/solution.php?id=937&page=2&menu=0,

Microwave several cups of milk in a microwave-safe container for 30 seconds; temp should be warm, but not boiling (to avoid damaging painted design on plate in the following step). Next, pour the warm milk into a pan big enough to accommodate the plate, then submerge the plate for about 45 minutes. Leave on counter at room temperature. Most fine surface cracks should mend! To keep that bond from dissolving fast, don’t use the plate for food, says Heloise, author of All-New Hints From Heloise. For a permanent solution, ask a local antique shop for a restoration expert.

I'm about to try the first one, myself! :)

Minta Caine, December 2007