What is crazing, and is it a problem on Royal Albert china?

Crazing is a net of fine lines in the glaze, often seen on older ceramics after years of temperature swings and moisture exposure. On Royal Albert tea ware, light crazing is common on vintage cups and plates. It does not mean the piece will fail at once, yet it can trap tea colour and food residue, making staining harder to remove. For display, crazing is mostly cosmetic. For food use, many collectors prefer cups with intact glaze. Reduce risk by letting a cold cup warm to room temperature before adding hot liquid, then let it cool before rinsing.