The Difference Between Jianshui Purple Clay And Yixing Purple Clay

Purple Clay from Jianshui and Yixing Purple Clay are both among China’s “Four Famous Pottery,” but their clay, techniques, and user experience are completely different.
Below is the simplest way to show their differences and help you choose a teapot more easily.

1. Clay Differences: Sandy vs. Fine

(1) Yixing Zisha: Strong grainy texture with a “sandy” feel
Zisha is a mineral-based clay that contains quartz, mica, and other minerals.

The mesh count is low (40–60 mesh), so you can clearly see the grainy texture.

It has strong plasticity and low shrinkage, making it less likely to deform.

In one sentence: Zisha has a grainy texture and good breathability — it represents sandy clay pottery.

(2) Purple Clay from Jianshui: Smooth like paste, extremely fine clay
The clay is repeatedly washed and refined, with a high mesh count (200 mesh or more).

The texture is smooth without grains, with a warm and gentle surface.

It has high iron content, high density, and high hardness.

In one sentence: Purple Clay from Jianshui is fine and dense, with a surface as warm as jade.

2. Forming Technique: Slab-Building vs. Wheel-Throwing

(1) Yixing Zisha: Slab-building
Clay slabs are paddled and shaped into form, allowing a wide variety of shapes including round forms, square forms, and ribbed forms.

(2) Purple Clay from Jianshui: Fast wheel throwing
Mainly wheel-thrown, so most shapes are rounded, and “wheel-throwing ring marks” are often found inside the pot.

In one sentence: Zisha has more diverse shapes; Purple Clay from Jianshui is rounder and more uniform.

3. Decorative Technique Differences: Carving vs. Incised-Fill

(1) Yixing Zisha
Usually only calligraphy or patterns are carved on the surface, without filling clay.

(2) Purple Clay from Jianshui
First carved, then filled with colored clay — the famous “incised and filled” technique, which can create colorful patterns.

In one sentence: Purple Clay from Jianshui decoration is more delicate and more artistic.

4. Polishing Differences: Unpolished vs. Fully Polished

Yixing Zisha:
Generally unglazed and unpolished, showing a natural sandy texture.

Purple Clay from Jianshui:

Emphasizes unglazed polishing, polished until “smooth as jade and shiny like a mirror.”

In one sentence: Zisha is naturally matte; Purple Clay from Jianshui is glossy like jade.

5. User Experience Differences: Absorbs Aroma vs. Retains Aroma

(1) Yixing Zisha
Dual-pore structure, good breathability

Absorbs tea aroma and becomes seasoned with use

Suitable for: ripe pu’er, rock oolong, black tea—teas with deeper aroma

(2) Purple Clay from Jianshui
High density and fast heat conduction

Does not absorb aroma; releases tea fragrance fully

Excellent temperature stability and aroma concentration

Suitable for: pu’er (especially raw), and teas with clear and bright aromas