Playing with Purple Clay Teapots requires having the right mindset from learning about them to buying and using them. However, there are always detours. Perhaps the following bitter medicine will be helpful for playing with Purple Clay teapots.

Don't buy if you don't understand the clay

Some people like to look at various types of clay on Taobao such as Black Star Sand, Red Blood Sand, and Black Diamond (some of which are made up by merchants). Merchants tout these clays as especially rare, yet they only cost a few hundred yuan! Rarity increases value; is it possible to buy something so rare for such a cheap price?

However, in today's context where original mine clays are becoming increasingly scarce, even those who make teapots may not be able to buy them even if they have the money (like the truly top-grade Tianqing clay). Be wary of clays that are inexpensively priced or have unusual colors.

▲ Fake Tianqing clay on Taobao, with cobalt oxide added or sprayed on.

▲ Original mine Tianqing clay (fired at high temperature).

▲ Dahongpao (a type of clay)

Such high-quality clay is used to make excellent teapots, and the craftsmanship would never be subpar. Would such a Teapot really be available for just a few hundred yuan? If you lack knowledge about the clay and have a budget of only a few hundred yuan, then don't look at Dahongpao or Tianqing clay! Most Tianqing clay within this price range is fake!

As the saying goes: “Good clay pairs with good craftsmanship, just like a good chef wouldn't use gutter oil.” Truly good clay is not cheap!

Avoid being too rigid

Playing with teapots involves a comprehensive evaluation process including the clay, design, craftsmanship, etc., but many people tend to be too rigid.

Some people focus solely on the clay, disliking any obvious iron content or black spots, eliminating teapots based on these features alone.

Even if they know that the iron content is a characteristic of original mine clay, they still can't accept it. It's best for such individuals to buy from Taobao, where most teapots use clay from outside the mountains and acid-washed clay. These teapots have no iron content or burst particles, and to prevent negative reviews, they must appear perfect (newbie teapot enthusiasts prefer their teapots clean without any black iron content and want them to be almost perfect at a cheap price).

Some people don't appreciate the teapot when they buy it; instead, they start by pointing out its flaws. “This Zhu clay teapot is too wrinkled,” “I can't see any shrinkage lines on this teapot,” “Why is the rim inside this teapot so rough?”…

Given the assurance of the clay quality, different prices correspond to different levels of craftsmanship. For example, if both are Dicang Qing clay, do you think you can buy one with the same craftsmanship as Gu Jingzhou for 500 yuan?

Truly finding fault, there is no handcrafted teapot that is perfect. You should identify its strengths and weaknesses, then assess its cost-effectiveness, evaluating the clay, shape, and craftsmanship comprehensively.

Don't be too rigid when buying a teapot; otherwise, you might not find a suitable one or end up buying a machine-made one that is only a little cheaper but appears perfect.

Avoid having high standards but low expectations

Many people have only one criterion when buying a teapot: cheap and good!

There cannot be any flaws! The longer the clay has aged, the better! Ideally, it should be old clay from Factory No. 1, aged for 30 to 50 years from Well No. 4! Handmade! Must be the same style as Gu Jingzhou's! Must be an exact replica!

Having high standards and wanting high-quality items is not a problem. Demanding high standards for the clay, design, and craftsmanship is also reasonable, but the price they are willing to pay is often much less than what their standards would warrant…

For example, wanting old clay from Well No. 4, handmade, and the same style as the Bianfu, but wanting the price to be around 500 yuan…

No merchant can meet such requirements. If they could, they would certainly be selling fakes. Having high standards but low expectations is also a mentality of looking for bargains. While bargains aren't completely nonexistent, it's virtually impossible these days.

Avoid listening to too many stories

Many people enjoy hearing made-up stories when buying teapots. As shown in the image below, such advertisements flood WeChat. There are many stories, but very few of them are credible! Behind them are professional advertising companies planning and placing ads to attract traffic and get you to add them! When playing with teapots, trust your own knowledge more than any story!

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