Porcelain is a type of hard semi-translucent ceramic generally fired at a higher temperature than glazed earthenware, or stoneware pottery. It is white, but mildly translucent and can be decorated to provide colour.The European porcelain was invented in Dresden and Meissen in Saxony, Germany (Meißen porcelain), in the reign of the Elector Augustus the Strong (1694-1733), where today can also be found the largest porcelain collection in the world.The discovery of white porcelain in 1708 was by Johann Friedrich Böttger. Böttger had training as an apprentice pharmacist, but decided to turn to alchemy. He made the claim that he had discovered the process of making gold, this got the attention of cash wanting Augustus the Strong, who had Böttger tossed in jail. Böttger was forced to work with other alchemists to discover the process to make gold, instead he unearthed the recipe to cure Augustus of his obsession with "White Gold"