Nowadays, with the rise of online teapot sales, more and more people are choosing to buy teapots online. This convenient method saves you the trouble of traveling all the way to Yixing to pick out teapots in person—you can simply wait at home and receive your purchase the next day.

However, this approach also brings a major concern: it’s hard to confirm whether the teapot you receive is genuinely made in Yixing. And if it isn’t, how can you tell the difference?

Today, Xiaorui is here to share some practical tips to help you easily identify authentic Yixing purple clay teapots.

Identifying a product requires analyzing it from multiple angles. So, we’ll break down the differences between genuine Yixing purple clay teapots and counterfeits based on color, smell, sound, texture, and price.

Color

In our previous article, we discussed several classic colors of purple clay materials. The color of a Yixing teapot is entirely determined by the mineral content of its raw clay.

Regardless of its base color, an authentic Yixing teapot should have a jade-like luster on its surface—not too shiny, nor too dull. After brewing tea with it multiple times, the surface will develop a smooth, warm, and soft patina. If there is no change in the teapot’s appearance even after prolonged use, it is likely a fake.

Smell

A genuine Yixing purple clay teapot should only emit a subtle scent of fired clay. When raw purple clay is fired in a kiln, it releases a mild “kiln aroma”—this is completely normal.

After just a few rounds of brewing tea, the teapot will absorb a faint, pleasant tea fragrance. If your teapot emits a strong, pungent odor for a long time, it is probably a counterfeit.

Sound

Like porcelain, purple clay teapots can be identified by the sound they make. Porcelain is known for its clear, resonant “chime-like” ring, and authentic Yixing teapots share a similar trait.

Gently slide the teapot lid across the rim of the pot. A genuine Yixing teapot will produce a crisp, clinking sound like jade striking, accompanied by a distinct gritty friction—this is the signature sound of an authentic piece.

Texture

The texture of a teapot is directly determined by its clay material. The key reason Yixing purple clay teapots are renowned worldwide lies in their unique local clay.

The clay used for Yixing teapots is mined exclusively from the Huanglongshan Mine Area in Yixing. Rich in minerals such as mica, quartz, and hematite, this clay retains a distinct gritty texture no matter how finely it is ground. This granular feel is especially noticeable on newly purchased teapots.

If the teapot you bought feels overly smooth and glossy, it is likely made from fake clay or has been chemically treated to create an artificial finish.

Price

Price is the most straightforward reference point. Generally speaking, the price of an authentic handcrafted Yixing purple clay teapot will not be lower than 500 RMB.

The production process involves multiple costly steps: clay mining, aging, processing, hand-shaping, and kiln firing. Additionally, the uncertain firing success rate further drives up the overall cost.

Therefore, you should avoid teapots priced at 100–200 RMB that claim to be genuine handcrafted Yixing products if you’re looking for a real purple clay teapot.

An authentic, high-quality Yixing purple clay teapot not only enhances your tea-drinking experience but also brings you immense spiritual enjoyment. Why not invest in one that truly delivers on both counts?