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Plate Styles - Coupe/Rimmed, Sculptured/Embossed
Coupe: This is the original Corelle plate style and the only style available for most of the 1970s. Patterns from the Livingware line have used this shape, as well as Expressions, Traditions and Livingware 2. For a short time in the 1980s the Livingware line was named the Sunrise Collection. This shape has been made 70% thicker with Luxe Hoops, launched in 2003.
Undecorated, the white version is named Winter Frost White. It was made with a beige tint for the first time in 1986, and when the undecorated version debuted it was called Beige. The name has been changed since to  Sandstone. The rim rises smoothly from the base of the plate to the edge without stepping up to a flat rim.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¼"
Luncheon Plate - 8½"
Side Plate - 6¾"
Saucer - 6¼"
(Photo: Spring Blue, Friendship Dinner Plates.)
Narrow Rimmed (Dimension IV): The second plate style was produced from 1979 to 1985, and it is associated mainly with the Dimension IV series of coloured band designs. Additionally, Forget-Me-Not from Expressions also uses this type, as well as the four-season Currier & Ives Collection of decorative plates. The flat-rim soup plate, still in production, is derived from the narrow rimmed plate style, and has been made in dozens of patterns unrelated to Dimension IV.
There are undecorated examples in this shape, but its origins and whether it has a name are unclear. This plate style exists with a white background  only. Measuring from the back of the dinner plate, the flat rim is 7/8" wide.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¼"
Luncheon Plate - 8½"
Side Plate - 6¾"
Saucer - 6¼" coupe
(Photo: Slate, Citrus Dinner Plates.)
CornerStone Shape: In 1983 the CornerStone Collection marked a new direction for Corelle with a new plate style plus a new beige tinted body. The oldest pieces of CornerStone are 20-25% thicker than usual, and this was part of the line's original appeal. For the earlier patterns only, platters also bear this unique rim style. Bayscape, Sandscape and Skyscape from Natural Images also use this shape, and it is possible to find it with a Currier & Ives decoration too. The CornerStone shape was produced until 2009, when Abundance, Coastal Breeze and Country Morning moved to the standard rimmed style instead.
Undecorated, it was known simply as Beige (CornerStone mould shape), and this may have been supplied just for open stock purchase. This plate style was produced with a beige background only. The CornerStone shape is quite different from any other style, it is best  described as a rolled rim with a well-defined ridge one inch from the edge. But side plates are uniquely shaped, and do not have a ridge.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¼"
Luncheon Plate - 8½"
Side Plate - 7¼"
Saucer - 6¼"
(Photo: China Blossom, Skyscape Luncheon Plates.)
Standard Rimmed (smooth): This style has been in production since 1985, when the beige-bodied Natural Images line was launched. White-bodied versions would appear the following year with Design Images and Occasions. The latter has been merged into what is presently known as Impressions, which includes multiple rim types now. Natural Images and Design Images were amalgamated in 1993 into a single Images line which would be discontinued a year or two later.
The white undecorated version is named Misty White. There are beige undecorated examples in this shape, but its origins and whether it has a name are unclear. Measuring from the back of the dinner plate, the flat rim is 1¼" wide, sharing the same  proportions as the swirled Sculptured and 3-swirl Embossed plate types.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¼"
Luncheon Plate - 9"
Side Plate - 7¼"
Saucer - 6¼" coupe
(Photo: Summer Blush, Summer Citrus Dinner Plates.)
Sculptured/Swirled Rim (Enhancements): Aimed at the more upmarket department store trade, Sculptured Corelle was introduced in 1988 with an emphasis on more fashionable decorations. The gracefully swirled rim design lends an elegance reminiscent of fine china. The Sculptured line is currently part of Impressions, grouped together with many other rim shapes. More recently this style has been made 30% thicker in the Pro product line.
Undecorated, it is named Enhancements, but certain accessories were called Sculptured White; this was particularly true early on when plain white serving pieces were meant to match all Sculptured patterns. For Pro, the undecorated version is named Elegance. This plate style exists with a white background only. Measuring from the back of the dinner plate, the flat rim is 1¼" wide, same as the  standard smooth rimmed shape.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¼"
Luncheon Plate - 9"
Side Plate - 7¼"
Saucer - 6¼" coupe, sculptured
(Photo: Elegant Rose Side Plate, Chutney Luncheon Plate.)
Embossed/3-Swirl Rim (Windward White): In 1992 three new patterns were introduced with a crisply embossed rim design featuring three repetitions of three long swirls. These patterns and this innovative style would be the genesis of the Impressions product line. The following year a fourth Embossed pattern was launched, but a re-alignment of CornerStone, Sculptured and Occasions meant that the Impressions line became a catch-all category for many diverse rimmed patterns. As for the embossed 3-swirl rimmed style, it seems to be short-lived, surviving only a few years.
Undecorated, it is named Windward White, but platters and serving bowls were called Embossed White since plain white accessories were meant to match all Embossed patterns. The other three Embossed patterns are: Celestial Blue, Spring Breeze, and Pastel Ballet. This plate style exists with a white background only. It seems that luncheon plates do not exist,  but all four patterns did come with 3-swirl flat-rim soup plates. Measuring from the back of the dinner plate, the flat rim is 1¼" wide, same as the standard smooth rimmed shape.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¼"
Side Plate - 7¼"
Saucer - 6¼" coupe, embossed
(Photo: Spring Breeze, Celestial Blue Side Plates.)
Extra Wide Rim (Lifestyles, XL): It seems that this plate style debuted in 1999 when 70% thicker Corelle was introduced. Since then it has been made in the regular Corelle thickness, as well as an in-between 30% thicker version called Pro. 70% thicker Corelle has been sold under an array of brand names such as Ultra, Luxe and Infinia, but the very first brand name was actually 'Corningware Dinnerware'. Although it was branded 'Corningware' it is  undoubtedly made of Vitrelle. With the regular thickness, this plate style defines the Lifestyles and Corelle XL lines, but it has been placed within Impressions and Vive also. What sets this plate style apart from the others is its generous 10¾" size; it is the first to stray from the usual 10¼" format.
(Photo: Blue Snowflakes, Graphique Dinner Plates.)
For Ultra, the undecorated version initially was named Pure White, then re-named Blanc. In the regular thickness it is called Dazzling White. An off-white ivory colour also exists in Ultra, and when undecorated this is called Eggshell. Regular and Pro thicknesses seem to be white-bodied only.
In the Lifestyles, Ultra and Vive lines, the wide-rimmed 6¼" saucer has been intended as a side plate too, depending on whether the set comes with short cups or tall mugs. In other product  lines this saucer has appeared in place settings with the standard rimmed plate plus the 7¼" side plate. Measuring from the back of the dinner plate, the flat rim is 1-7/8" wide.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¾"
Luncheon Plate - 8½"
Saucer / Side Plate - 6¼"
Photo: French Lilac, Summer Citrus Wide-Rimmed Saucers.
Contours Shape: The Contours product line appeared from 2010 to 2011. This line was defined by an unconventional asymmetric plate style which is rimmed on one side and coupe on the other. It was designed to be held comfortably with one hand in non-traditional dining situations.
Undecorated, it is named Simplicity. The other two Contours patterns are Tranquil & Edgy which are decorated with a single coloured band on the edge. This plate style exists with a white background only. Sizes are also atypical in this product line, the  dinner plate is 10¾", and the luncheon plate is only 8", smaller than any other luncheon plate. There are no side plates in this shape.
Dimensions:
Dinner Plate - 10¾"
Luncheon Plate - 8"
Photo: Simplicity Dinner Plate & Luncheon Plate.
Rim Widths: Measurements were taken from the back of the plate because the curvature of the rim is most distinct on the back, and the point of inflection is easier to find. Dinner plates were chosen as representative samples. Luncheon plates and side plates from the same grouping do have narrower rims, roughly proportional to their sizes.
More photos on Page Two.
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