Dicaoqing Ni is located at the bottom of the mineral layer, with excellent density. The raw mineral presents a purplish-brown color, and the cross-section often shows regular diagonal patterns of Lv Ni chicken-eye features. The chicken eyes of Lv Ni are round and smooth, and they often appear in pairs. Dicaoqing Ni is the purest type of Zi Ni mineral, with excellent plasticity and a strong sandy texture, making it the finest among Zi Ni types. [ Learn more Zi Ni ]

1).Kiln temperature: approximately 1180°C

2).Shrinkage ratio: approximately 12%

3).Difficulty of production: Due to its sandy texture, the finished teapot is prone to issues like sand jumping and uneven surfaces, making it difficult to form and resulting in a low yield.

4).Characteristics: Block-like texture with greenish-blue "chicken eyes" and "cat's eyes."

5).Recommended tea types: Pu-erh tea of various series, lightly roasted oolong tea, Longjing tea, flower tea, Biluochun tea, black tea, green tea, etc.

Fired at different temperatures, with different hair colors

1. Why is Dicaoqing Ni considered the best Zi Ni and even the best Zisha clay?

1) Dicaoqing Ni from Huanglong Mountain is extremely oily and rich, with many chicken-eye spots in the mineral vein. Under the gravity of the rock layers, the material becomes as hard as stone and is rich in sand. The texture feels much heavier than Dicaoqing Ni from other regions. The mineral cross-sections typically show purplish-blue, bluish-green, and greyish-green colors.

2) Scholar Li Shan, in his paper "Yixing Zisha Mineral Raw Material Research," conducted related phase composition experiments on Dicaoqing Ni. Using scientific equipment, a quantitative analysis was conducted on Dicaoqing Ni, Dicaoqing Ni chicken eyes, and Lv Ni. The appearance characteristics and mineral composition of the chicken eyes and Lv Ni are similar, so they can be identified as Lv Ni. Dicaoqing Ni is a symbiotic mineral of Zi Ni and Lv Ni, but based on the stratification and formation reasons of the clay material, the symbiosis of Zi Ni and Lv Ni should be considered as Duan Ni.

But, it's Zi NI,this type of symbiosis in Dicaoqing Ni is rare, and it forms under specific geological pressures during a particular period, which is why Dicaoqing Ni is scarce.

3) After firing, Dicaoqing Ni works show a pure, transparent sandy texture, dense and heavy, with an ancient and warm feel, and a uniform structure. The most significant difference from ordinary Zi Ni and other clay types is the "golden sand hidden within." When observing the finished teapot under sunlight, golden sand particles subtly appear embedded in the surface, blending into the teapot body. White mica reflects sunlight, causing the entire teapot to sparkle, which looks very beautiful.

Dicaoqing Ni is often referred to as "purple jade golden sand" and is highly sought after due to its rarity.

2. How to identify authentic Dicaoqing Ni material?

1) Observe the mineral color: Dicaoqing Ni tends to be darker in color, with about 1% of each mineral containing yellow spots the size of glass marbles (which appear light yellow after firing, known as "chicken eyes"). Dicaoqing Ni also contains iron rust in patches, known as "mud crust" (which must be manually removed during the clay selection process, as these will become iron dots and glaze defects after firing).

2) Observe the finished teapot's particles: Finished teapots made from Dicaoqing Ni have a noticeable grainy texture, strong feel, and many pores. You can focus on observing the particles: they come in two colors, with the less common one being yellow particles. These yellow particles differ from the grains of Duan Ni, as they are brighter and smoother. If possible, magnify them to reveal a strong jade-like texture.

3) Observe the distribution of golden sand on the finished teapot: Dicaoqing Ni is made from Zi Ni, and there are some Lv Ni particles, but they are not abundant. After the clay is refined into mature material, the golden sand is distributed less evenly across each teapot, often subtly present. Golden sand is typically hidden and not prominently visible. It is quite normal for some teapots not to show golden sand at all. In contrast, some counterfeit Dicaoqing Ni teapots are deliberately made to display golden sand prominently to mimic the features.

Master Gu Jingzhou had a deep affection for Dicaoqing Ni, and most of his works were made from this material. He was known for his meticulous craftsmanship and precise attention to detail, mastering the Zisha clay light pottery technique. Dicaoqing Ni is especially well-suited for Zisha clay light pottery. Under the kiln's fire, Dicaoqing Ni reveals its beauty through textures, ancient elegance, weight, and a refined smoothness. With precise temperature control, the clay can show colors like grape purple, dull liver purple, and dull liver red, displaying natural beauty in a seamless way.

In the next issue, we will introduce another major type of Zisha clay that is opposite in characteristics to Zi Ni - [ Lv Ni ]