Most standard sets are made of melamine or urea resin, while premium, custom, and retail sets are often crafted from high-grade acrylic for crystal clarity, color layering, and intricate inclusions (like gold leaf or glitter).

Acrylic offers superior optical clarity, zero mold setup costs for custom designs, and high impact resistance, whereas resin/melamine is typically limited to solid colors and standard injected molds. Antique tiles were often made of bone and bamboo.

Yes, as long as the back and sides of all tiles in the set are completely uniform so no tile can be identified when face down.

A standard Chinese set contains 144 tiles (36 Suits: Circles, Bamboo, Characters; 28 Honors: Winds, Dragons; and 8 Flowers/Seasons).

American Mahjong requires 166 tiles. It includes the standard suit and dragon/wind tiles, plus 8 Flowers and 8 Jokers, along with spare tiles, as required by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules.

Japanese Riichi sets typically contain 136 tiles (they usually omit flower tiles, though some sets include specialized “Red Dora” tiles). The tiles are noticeably smaller than Chinese or American tiles and often feature a two-tone bonded back (traditionally yellow or blue).

These sets often contain 150 to 160+ tiles, adding extra “Fly” tiles (Jokers), animal tiles, and face tiles to accommodate regional house rules.

Sizes vary by region:

• American Tiles: Typically thinner and lighter ($\approx 30\text{mm} \times 23\text{mm} \times 12\text{mm}$) to fit on racks with pushers.

• Japanese Riichi Tiles: Compact and dense ($\approx 26\text{mm} \times 19\text{mm} \times 16\text{mm}$).

• Chinese / Standard Tiles: Larger and thicker ($\approx 36\text{mm}$ to $40\text{mm}+$ in height) for a heavy, satisfying hand feel.

Wipe tiles with a soft, damp microfiber cloth and mild soap. Avoid harsh chemical solvents (like acetone or alcohol-based cleaners), especially on acrylic or hand-painted tiles, as they can strip the paint or craze the surface.

Because tile dimensions, shades, and backings vary slightly between manufacturing batches, exact replacement tiles can be difficult to match unless ordered directly from the original custom manufacturer.