Regarding the appreciation of purple clay Teapots, we have introduced much in previous articles. It all boils down to three points: clay, shape, and craftsmanship, with the clay being the most critical. When purchasing a purple clay Teapot, ensuring the quality of the clay is always the primary concern.

On today's market, there are many “fake purple clay teapots,” and slip-casting and pouring techniques are widely used. So, how can one simply determine whether the clay of a teapot is genuine purple clay? Let's discuss this today.

Inspect the Clay Color

This is very straightforward: inspect the color of the Purple Clay Teapot. In an article a few days ago, we introduced the colors of original mine purple clay teapots and compared them to some so-called “rare clay materials.”

▲ Original Purple Clay Color

Original mine purple clay, after firing, tends to appear rather “earthy” and not in various bright colors (even zhuni and golden yellow duan aren't vivid). Only after nurturing does the color deepen, becoming dark and lustrous, which is known as patina.

▲ Colorful Purple Clay Teapots

Therefore, if a new teapot appears brightly colored, it is likely made from clay mixed with chemical additives to achieve the color. This raises questions about the purity of the clay, which is the first point for identifying the clay.

Note: This criterion is most applicable to beginners. For experienced players with a proper understanding of original mine clay blending and additions, the range of purple clay blends is also extensive.

Feel the Teapot Body

The importance of sand in purple clay teapots is evident from the name itself. Sand is what distinguishes purple clay from other ceramics and is the basis for its breathability. Sand refers to the agglomerated particles of minerals like quartz. The surface of a fired purple clay teapot is never smooth.

▲ Feel the Texture

Teapots made from original mine clay appear slightly rough but do not feel prickly when touched. After polishing with a burnishing tool, the sand is embedded within the glaze, giving it a granular feel that is smooth to the touch.

▲ Rough Yet Smooth

The body should never feel extremely smooth. If it does, be cautious, as it may be a slip-cast or wheel-thrown teapot. These types of teapots use clay slurries above 200 mesh, resulting in almost no sand sensation after firing.

▲ Lustrous Texture of Zhuni

Even if the clay is very fine, reaching 200 mesh, it cannot be handcrafted into shape. Despite its glossiness, zhuni still has a certain sand sensation when touched, clearly different from slip-cast or wheel-thrown teapots.

▲ Sand Sensation of Zhuni

Note: For teapots polished on the exterior, you can feel and inspect the inner walls.

Smell the Aroma

Most teapots made from original mine clay have no smell, while a small portion may have an earthy or kiln aroma. Generally, after a few infusions of Tea, there will be no other odors.

▲ Smell the Interior

Some fake purple clay teapots, when exposed to boiling water, release a pungent odor. However, pure original mine clay won't have this. This is something to watch out for.

Examine the Sand Sensation

This requires a higher level of expertise, differing from the previously mentioned fake purple clays. Here, we're discussing pure original mine purple clay. Only those with a certain understanding of purple clay teapots can use this method for identification. We've discussed the sand sensation of purple clay, which is visible on the body of the teapot.

▲ Dicong Qing, High Temperature

The surface of pure original mine purple clay, upon closer inspection, shows evenly distributed sand. If the surface has been sprayed or coated, the sand will appear irregular and discontinuous.

▲ Dicong Qing, Observe the Sand Sensation

Moreover, some clay undergoes the process of adding sand, making it more difficult to observe the sand sensation. Only through frequent observation and experience accumulation can one identify these differences.

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