紫砂壶，逐渐成为都市时尚人士的日常消费品，又是具有一定收藏价值的增值品。但你是否见过它是怎样从一堆泥“拍打”成壶的？昨天，南京工艺美术大师朱江龙在他的个人陶艺工作室为本报读者制作了一把紫砂壶，整个过程，精细到让人叫绝。15年前，他就购买了几十吨紫砂泥，一直存放在当地，每每要做壶时就去取一些。“因紫砂泥开采无序，品质已不如从前，所以事先购买的这批泥，显得很珍贵。”只见朱江龙将泥块切成三块，一块做底，一块做壶的周边，一块做盖子，然后用各种工具悉数上场，或切或量。

整个制作过程中都是采用“拍打法”，朱江龙笑称，其实一把紫砂壶是“拍”出来的，这是一种古老的传统技艺，还会用它的人并不多。如今市面上不少壶是浇模做出来的，创造性就差了很多。

制作的时候，朱江龙还特地借着各个细节和过程，为本报读者讲解了一些紫砂壶鉴赏的一些要领。他表示，要好的紫砂壶有很多个性要求，这些都贯彻在每个制作细节里。如今不少市民在收藏紫砂壶时喜欢根据一些图书来按图索骥，其实最关键的是，看自己的能力，即收入高低等来购买，最主要看两方面，一是在于泥料和工艺，这一定要正，即工艺要符合紫砂的工艺；二是在于造型上至少要比例协调，再看造型是简洁的还是繁复等。

朱江龙表示，由于南京玩紫砂壶的人并不多，不过近几年有发展之势。Purple sand tea set is a relatively Eastern traditional lifestyle, and now that urban life rhythm is fast, to brew tea in a purple sand teapot, savoring it slowly, has become a psychological need for urbanites.

Although the market of collecting and investing in purple sand tea sets has experienced periods of prosperity and decline, but until last year's end, the market began to show signs of recovery. The prices of ordinary craftsmen's works are generally between 500 yuan and several thousand yuan; high-level craftsmen's works price around 5,000 yuan. However, antique purple sand tea sets from Ming and Qing dynasties can fetch tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands yuan.

Industry insiders believe that the market for collecting purple sand tea sets is on the rise. How can collectors select a valuable one? Collector Zhang said that usually they should consider "the mud," "shape," "workmanship," and "design" when selecting. The value basis of purple sand tea sets lies in their raw materials - only those made from pure Yixing clay have practical use value as well as investment potential.

The shape variety among existing vessels makes each piece unique; ancient-style designs are more collectible than unconventional ones. Appreciating the design involves evaluating not only who created it but also themes inscribed on it or other decorative elements like calligraphy or seals.

In essence, good quality purple sand teapots must have harmonious proportions between components such as spout handle buttons etc., while transitions between lines points surfaces must be smooth.

However common collectors may misjudge genuine Yixing clay for regular earth or artificial mixtures with similar hues just because they match colors before purchasing them. Only authentic Yixing clay will do; some people mistakenly believe older pieces are inherently more valuable solely based on age alone without considering artistic merit.

Investors should first gain knowledge about these teasets' history then consult experts before buying wisely within their means rather than overestimating themselves financially trying to acquire expensive items which might lose value later down line especially if there were any manufacturing defects hidden beneath surface level appearance changes through aging process by attempting restoration work instead opting preserving original state intact at all times thereby preserving its true historical significance & maintaining long term durability hence ensuring optimal enjoyment experience!