Hi,
I too am a fan of glass toys, my interest in glass blowing and ceramics was one of the deciding factors that led me to create my first ceramic toy. Your right glass and ceramic are similar in many ways, both are cured in high temperature kilns, both are made from earth derived materials, texture of both is identical, both have unlimited color variations ( unfortunately ceramics can not be transparent like glass). One difference between glass and ceramic toys is that the glass curing temperature process is less forgiving than ceramic and can be brittle if not fired correctly. Ceramics have a higher temperature tolerance during firing process that doesn't effect the pieces durability. The designs of glass or ceramic toys differ only by the artisan creating the pieces. The benefits of ceramic is equal to glass in they are both non-porous, hypo-allergenic, smooth, hard,odor and bacteria resistant, great for temperature play and easy to clean. I can only speak to the advantages of the manufaturing process we use at Duncan Charles, in from start to finish each toy is handcrafted one piece at a time using lead free, non-toxic materials, the only machine that touches our toys is the kiln. With glass and ceramic I feel that hand made pieces are not only a work of art but make a statement to the quality and dedication put into making safe, beautiful, long lasting pleasure objects. Please let me know if I have answered your questions or if I may have left any thing out.

You are very welcome! I am glad you and your wife are looking into a ceramic toy, I think you will find they are different from other materials in a wonderful way. By the way, great post!!