They say, “Earthly jewels are not worth having, better a handful of Yangxian clay.”

The purple clay Teapot is increasingly favored by more people. Whether for personal enjoyment or as a gift for family and friends, it is a presentable item.

Many who are new to purple clay Teapots often don't understand why they frequently get overcharged when buying one. The truth is, the questions you ask when purchasing a teapot can reveal your inexperience!

Original Mine Clay

Newcomers tend to ask, “Is this original mine clay?”

This is a great question!

It's akin to asking at a fruit store, “Is your fruit sweet?” The answer would be: “Absolutely sweet!”

After all, no one would admit that what they're selling is subpar. Open any online shopping platform, and you'll see items ranging from several hundred to just a few dozen yuan, all claiming to be original mine clay. (Whether they actually are is another matter.)

In reality, most of the authentic mountain material on the market comes from existing stock and is of high quality; non-mountain materials are often inferior clays passed off as something better; chemical materials add chemicals to achieve bright colors.

The differences between these three types are significant, and many enthusiasts are naturally concerned about the type of clay used. However, asking “Is this original mine clay?” is like not asking anything at all.

Tips: “Boss, how much is this teapot? How much per bundle of clay?” This is a probing question.

Handcrafted

Along with the first point, some enthusiasts also like to follow up with, “Is this handcrafted?”

Isn't it obvious that it's handcrafted?

Half-handcrafted is handmade, full-handcrafted is also handmade, and even thrown teapots claim to be handmade. Some even go so far as to label machine-made teapots as handcrafted.

Regardless of whether you can tell the difference, starting with “Is this handcrafted?” may seem to impress the seller, but the unscrupulous seller will see “naive buyer” written all over your face.

Tips: “Boss, show me a full-handcrafted teapot.” “Pass.” “Pass.” “Pass.” “Let me see this one.” Regardless of what comes before, by the fourth teapot, it should be fully handcrafted.

National-level Masters

Some lament that the world of purple clay teapots is murky, largely due to the practice of ghost production. It is said that you get what you pay for, but sometimes spending a lot doesn't guarantee a genuine work.

The existence of ghost production is like a thorn stuck in the throat – impossible to swallow or remove.

These teapots are truly well-made, and works by famous masters are hard to come by. Given their limited time and energy, only a small number of teapots can be produced, making them expensive.

Many newcomers love teapots made by famous masters and start by asking, “Is this the master's own work? Do you have a certificate and a photo of the master holding the teapot?” After receiving a positive response, they feel reassured.

Photos of masters holding teapots have been photoshopped, so don't rely on those.

Tips: No tips for this section.

High Collectible Value

In the world of collecting, there's a saying: “Not all old objects are worth collecting, but those that are valuable certainly are.” As the market for purple clay teapots in auctions improves, their collectible value is frequently mentioned.

To be honest, purple clay teapots with high collectible value are either from contemporary masters with proven skills or works by grandmasters, and they are not cheap.

A novice might ask, “Does this teapot have collectible value? Is the artist about to receive a promotion?” The answers will always be affirmative, essentially encouraging you to buy it because it definitely has collectible value.

Tips: “Has this artist won any awards at Jingzhou Cup or in full-handcrafted competitions?” Sometimes, obtaining national-level artisan certification can also be considered a form of appreciation.

[Final Thoughts]

No matter how sophisticated the techniques, novices remain novices. If you really love purple clay teapots, it's important to gain a deeper understanding of both the clay itself and the industry!

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