For seasoned Tea pot enthusiasts, after seeing many good pots, their discernment and aesthetic standards naturally become higher. The fake faces of some pots become clear upon closer inspection.

However, for novice enthusiasts, experience still needs to be accumulated. Here are eight principles for “not buying” purple clay Teapots, to avoid falling into traps and taking detours.

Injection-molded pots, chemical pots, and machine-made pots – avoid them

There's no need to elaborate on injection-molded and chemical pots; machine-made pots are those where the mold is fixed on a machine and the pot body is made by the machine's rotating pressure on the clay, a mass-produced item. Due to the high demand in large quantities, the quality of the clay will not be good and cannot meet the requirements for mass production;

▲Liu Yitang Gold Segmental Stone Spout Pot

Let's talk about hand-turned pots. Originally popular in Chaozhou, this is one of the traditional methods of making teapots, deeply loved by tea lovers.

However, if the method of making hand-turned pots is used to make purple clay teapots, it would lose the breathability of purple clay because true original mine purple clay cannot withstand the force of mechanical rapid rotation, usually unable to form. Therefore, a certain amount of kaolin, commonly used in porcelain, is often added to the clay for hand-turned Teapot making.

Therefore, if it is a “hand-turned purple clay teapot,” it should not be sold under the name of a purple clay teapot. In the eyes of local teapot makers in Yixing, to maintain the true original mine purple clay and characteristics of purple clay, this is not an accepted method of forming purple clay teapots, so there is still much debate within the purple clay community.

If you want to buy a purple clay teapot, enjoy the process of nurturing the teapot, and pursue the effects of nurturing the teapot, choose original mine handmade. If you just need a teapot, then there are many other materials you can choose from.

Too “artistic” – don't buy

It's not wrong to pursue artistry in purple clay teapots, but their essence is still to be used for brewing tea.

▲Hand-turned Purple Clay Teapot

The shapes of purple clay teapots are diverse, in addition to classic styles, there are also many rare shapes. However, this does not mean that the more unique the shape, the better. Overly focusing on uniqueness and too peculiar, lacking in both artistry and practicality, is not a qualified teapot.

Not a well-known maker but has a huge reputation, and unheard of before – avoid them

▲Has a huge reputation

To this day, beyond the norms, there are inevitably imitations. Some teapot enthusiasts encounter frightening reputations, such as “World Master of Purple Clay,” “World Outstanding Ceramic Artist,” “China Purple Clay Teapot Cultural Ambassador XX.”

Generally, you can check on the purple clay title query website (note that some older artists may not be listed, but their skills are superb, so detailed inquiries are recommended). If you cannot find them and have never heard of these reputations, consider carefully.

Too bright colors – don't buy

Pure Yixing purple clay teapots are “not garish, not greasy,” with a luster that is slightly glossy in its dark hue, becoming more pleasing to the eye over time with care. Even with rare clays, the color is comfortable to look at.

▲Chemical Pot

In the market, some unscrupulous merchants claim “authentic” products, using non-purple clay clay, employing slip casting or injection molding techniques, making hundreds of pot bodies in a day, then attaching spouts, handles, etc., and finally spraying colorful clay slurry and firing. Such industrial teapots can confuse newcomers.

These overly bright colored teapots produce strange odors when used to Brew tea and may cause harm to health. Be sure to distinguish them.

Too obscure, don't understand – don't buy (rare clays, unusual shapes, unknown authors of old teapots)

▲Replica Gu Jingzhou

Whether it's rare clays, uncommon shapes, or collecting old teapots, for things you do not understand, be cautious about buying them to prevent unscrupulous merchants from taking advantage and quoting unreasonable prices.

Obscure items test your discernment the most. For beginners, it's best to avoid them. If you are interested, be sure to consult professionals and listen to their advice.

Unknown signature – don't buy

▲Replica Gu Jingzhou

A signature on a purple clay teapot refers to the mark of the maker, commissioner, or supervisor, stamped with a seal or engraved with a knife on the bottom, inside the lid, under the handle, etc. of the purple clay ware.

The signatures of well-known purple clay teapots are generally neat and decorative, having a certain artistic value and aesthetic value.

The signature on a purple clay teapot can be considered a kind of “trademark.” In the market, if a teapot recently made does not have a signature, and its origin and author are unknown, such a teapot is similar to the “three-no” products on the market.

Too cheap – don't buy

▲Scenic Area Injection-molded Teapot

Many people criticize Taobao's purple clay teapots. Are there really no good teapots? There certainly are, but you need to carefully identify them. But for the numerous teapots priced in the dozens or hundreds of yuan, be cautious! To a certain extent, price reflects quality, do not believe in loss-cutting sales easily.

No matter what field it is, unless you hold it in your hands and can accurately estimate its value, generally, do not have the mentality of finding a bargain. For things you put in your mouth, be even more careful. Money is an external possession, safety comes first. Remember to find reliable platforms.

Works by well-known artists – don't buy & buy cautiously

▲Replica Jiang Rong

Being able to collect works by well-known artists is the wish of every teapot enthusiast. However, the number of well-known artist's teapots is extremely limited. It's not wrong to have a “treasure collection” mentality, besides reputable platforms, be cautious about bargains elsewhere.