Porcelain is divided into three types: hard-paste porcelain, soft-paste porcelain and bone porcelain. There are four main types of ceramics: structural, refractories, white wares and technical. Summary. 1. Ceramic is an inorganic material that is made from clay by the process of heating and solidifying. Porcelain is also made from clay but at a higher temperature than ceramics. 2. Ceramic is opaque whereas porcelain is translucent. 3. Porcelain has a delicate appearance when compared to ceramics.