FAQ

Each purely handmade teapot comes with two authoritative certificates. First, a Yixing local ore testing report indicating the clay's origin (such as Huanglong Mountain, Zhaozhuang, etc.) and a raw ore content of ≥95%. Second, a creation certificate personally signed by the artisan, specifying the clay batch, firing temperature, and shrinkage rate.

Yes, teapots priced above $350 come with authentication certificates:

① Ore Source Certificate (indicating the mining area, mining depth, and year of extraction);

② Artisan Creation Certificate (including a photo of the artisan holding the work, creative concept, and production duration);

③ Independent Testing Certificate (issued by the China Yixing Purple Clay Testing Center or an equivalent institution, testing lead and cadmium leaching levels, with results below 50% of national standard limits; this certificate incurs an additional fee and can be arranged upon request). For utility-grade teapots priced below $350, a simplified certificate is provided, containing information about the clay material and the artisan.

It is not a counterfeit; this is an official stamp from a specific historical period. Between the 1970s and 1990s, the Yixing Purple Clay Factory required artisans to use the "China Yixing" bottom stamp for unified export purposes, without adding personal seals. These teapots are now known as "factory teapots" and have become highly sought-after collectibles due to their authentic clay and meticulous craftsmanship. For any factory teapots we sell, we will additionally provide export documents from that period or copies of factory archives. If you come across a teapot made after 2000 that still uses only the "China Yixing" stamp without a personal seal, caution is advised.

Three quick ways to distinguish:

① Look at the color: Chemically formulated teapots have overly bright colors (such as emerald green, bright blue), while original Yixing teapots have a natural matte finish (purple, red, yellow, green, etc., but all leaning toward subdued tones).

② Smell: When freshly out of the kiln, chemically formulated teapots have a pungent, sour odor, whereas original Yixing teapots only smell like earth or have no noticeable smell.

③ Test water absorption: Pour hot water over the teapot body. Original Yixing teapots absorb water quickly and evenly (water marks disappear within 3–5 seconds), while chemically formulated teapots absorb water slowly or do not absorb water at all.

Our premium series (unit price above $700) is fired in a traditional pine wood kiln. Each firing takes 72–96 hours, and the natural ash from the pine wood creates distinctive fire marks, giving the teapots a richer sense of depth. Our mid-range series ($300–700) uses an improved gas kiln, which offers more precise temperature control (with a tolerance of ±5°C) and a yield rate 30% higher than that of wood kilns, providing better value for money. Each teapot comes with a *Firing Process Specification Card* detailing the kiln type, firing curve, and the signature of the person who conducted the firing. Regardless of the kiln type, we do not use cheap electric kilns (which, despite their high yield rate, result in teapots that lack character).

The core differences lie in the clay, craftsmanship, and yield rate.  
① Clay: We use deep-layer raw ore from Yixing Huanglong Mountain No. 4 Mine, aged for over 5 years, costing RMB 12,000 per ton. Utility-grade teapots use blended clay from other regions or chemically formulated clay, costing less than RMB 2,000 per ton.  
② Craftsmanship: Our artisans have over 15 years of experience. Crafting one Xishi teapot involves 22 steps and takes 7–10 days. Utility-grade teapots are produced in bulk using slip casting or machine pressing, taking just 3 minutes per piece.  
③ Yield rate: A fully handmade teapot has a shrinkage rate of approximately 12%–15%, and 2 to 3 out of every 10 pieces crack during firing. Slip-cast teapots have a yield rate of over 98%.  
Simply put, what you are paying for is the rarity that comes with inevitable losses—not just an ordinary vessel.

The qualifications of all our collaborating artisans can be verified:
① Title certificates (ranging from Craft Artist, Assistant Craft Artist, Craft Artist, to Senior Craft Artist), issued by the Yixing Professional Title Office and verifiable on the official website.
② Awards from industry competitions (such as the Gold Award at the "Jingzhou Cup" All-Handmade Teapot Competition), accompanied by photos of the trophy and links to official announcements.
③ Media coverage (featured reports from CCTV's *Craftsmanship* program, Jiangsu Satellite TV, and other media outlets).
④ Testimonials from long-time clients (a list of collectors who have previously commissioned works, with personal information redacted, available for consultation).
If an artisan does not meet at least two of the above criteria, we will not include them in our "Master Series."

Three key differences:  
① Rarity of the clay: Collector-grade teapots use extremely scarce clays such as "No. 4 Mine Bottom Sediment" or "Sky-Blue Clay," with an annual yield of less than 500 jin (250 kg). Utility-grade teapots use commonly available clays like "Standard Purple Clay" or "Blended Purple Clay."  
② Complexity of the form: Collector-grade teapots are mostly high-difficulty versions of polished, minimalist forms (such as Duoqiu or Fanggu), requiring the body's lines to be "stable, balanced, and precise," with a tolerance of less than 0.3mm. Utility-grade teapots are often floral or cartoon-inspired forms, with a higher tolerance for imperfections.  
③ Artisan value: Collector-grade teapots must be made by artisans with a title of "Craft Artist" or higher, and each teapot takes no less than 30 days to complete. Utility-grade teapots can be made by Assistant Craft Artists, with a production cycle of 3–5 days.  
A simple way to tell: Look at the interior wall of the teapot. A collector-grade piece will show clear, irregular marks from hand-beating, while a utility-grade teapot will only show mold seam lines.

Proper steps:  
① Cleaning: Use a soft toothbrush with clean water to scrub both the inside and outside of the teapot (do not use dish soap).  
② Soaking: Place the teapot and lid separately into a pot without any oil, add purified water until the teapot is fully submerged, and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes.  
③ Change the water and boil again: Replace with fresh water, add the type of tea you will typically brew in the teapot (20 grams), and simmer for another 30 minutes.  
④ Natural cooling: Turn off the heat and let the teapot cool naturally in the pot to room temperature, then remove and dry it.  
What to avoid: Do not boil the teapot with tofu or sugarcane (this will clog the pores). Do not use tap water (mineral deposits may leave white residue).

We strictly follow the principle of "one teapot, one type of tea," especially for highly aromatic teas such as oolong, pu'er, and black tea. This is because the dual-pore structure of Yixing clay absorbs tea flavors, and mixing different teas can lead to flavor contamination.  
Exception: If you only brew teas without strong aromas, such as aged white tea or dark tea, you may alternate between two or three types, but each time after use, you must thoroughly clean the teapot and let it dry for more than three days.  
We recommend that every tea enthusiast have at least three teapots: one for raw pu'er or oolong, one for ripe pu'er, and one for black tea.

Wrong! Pouring tea over the teapot will cause tea stains and darkening. The correct four principles for nurturing a teapot are:  
① Use frequently and clean promptly: After each use, immediately discard the tea leaves, rinse both inside and out with boiling water, wipe dry with a soft cloth, and leave the lid off to air dry for 12 hours.  
② Handle with clean hands: Wash your hands thoroughly before each use, and gently caress the teapot with your palms while it is still warm (do not use oily hand cream).  
③ Allow regular "rest periods": After one month of use, let the teapot dry naturally for 3–5 days to allow the pores to "breathe."  
④ Dedicate one teapot to one type of tea.  
Following this method with daily use, you will see a soft matte finish in three months, and a jade-like luster in six to eight months.  
Strictly avoid: Scrubbing with a brush and tea water, applying oil, or handling the teapot with sweaty hands.

We offer direct shipping to over 200 countries and regions worldwide. Shipping costs are calculated based on actual circumstances, with free shipping available on orders over $50.  

Delivery times: We primarily use SF International or DHL, shipping from our warehouse in Shanghai.  
- US/Europe: 5–7 business days  
- Australia: 7–10 days  
- Southeast Asia: 3–5 days  
- Remote regions (e.g., South America, Africa): an additional 3–5 days  

The exact shipping cost will be automatically calculated by the system based on your address at checkout.

We assume all shipping risks. All we ask is that you do two things upon delivery:  
① Open the package in front of the courier. If you find any damage, immediately take photos (showing all six sides of the box and close-ups of the damage to the teapot).  
② Contact us within 24 hours, providing the photos and proof.  

We will then:  
- Send you a replacement of the same teapot for free (subject to stock availability); or  
- Issue a full refund (including the shipping cost you paid).  

If the courier does not allow you to open the package before signing, you may sign for it but note on the delivery slip "Outer packaging intact, contents to be inspected," and record an unboxing video within one hour as evidence.  

Please note: We do not accept damage claims submitted more than 72 hours after delivery.

We support 7-day return and exchange for domestic orders (within China) and 14-day return and exchange for international orders.  

Conditions: 
① The teapot must be unused (not rinsed with water or used for brewing), and all accessories, certificates, and packaging must be intact.  
② The teapot must be in resalable condition (no scratches, chips, or damage).  
③ Return shipping costs are borne by the buyer (unless the return is due to a quality issue or an incorrect item being sent).  

We do not accept returns for subjective reasons such as "disliking the patina effect" or "feeling the teapot lacks appreciation potential."

We currently have two appointment-only showrooms in Yixing. You can schedule a visit by email, where you can personally feel the clay, test the teapot with water, and have conversations with resident artisans. The showrooms feature a variety of teapots available for viewing, all priced the same as on our independent website.

If you are unable to visit in person, we offer a "Live Video Teapot Viewing" service. After scheduling an appointment via email, we will provide a one-on-one video session to showcase the teapot you are interested in—including lighting demonstrations, capacity measurements, tapping the teapot to hear its sound, and even testing it with water. After the video session, you may reserve your interest for 24 hours, during which the teapot will not be sold to others unless you complete your order.