| Precious metal clay (brand names are PMC and | | | | there is little risk of fire stain on the surface and |
| Art Clay) is modern-day alchemy. PMC is a clay | | | | the final results are almost indistinguishable from |
| base with tiny pieces of silver suspended within it | | | | sterling silver. |
| that, when heated, burns off the clay leaving a | | | | Because precious metal clay is a clay, it takes |
| solid silver residue. The clay base acts as a binder | | | | impressions very well. A design can be pressed |
| for the metal particles. Once this has been | | | | onto the surface of the clay and be revealed in |
| removed, the remaining silver particles bind | | | | the final silver piece. Patterned rollers, lace or even |
| together, giving you the finished product. | | | | leaves can be used to create unique effects that |
| The real beauty of precious metal clay is that it | | | | are difficult to reproduce in ordinary silver unless it |
| can be manipulated like any ordinary modeling | | | | has been cast. Precious metal clay is a popular |
| clay, making it perfect for jewelery making. The | | | | way of making silver beads. The clay can be |
| modern precious metal clay can be using a | | | | formed into beads, decorated with a surface |
| jeweler's torch, as the firing temperature is much | | | | pattern and then fired in a kiln quickly and easily, |
| lower than the early versions of this clay. | | | | producing high quality silver beads. |
| However, a small kiln will produce a much more | | | | Safety considerations have to be taken into |
| constant temperature range and can be controlled | | | | account when working with precious metal clay |
| exactly, meaning that the results will be more | | | | because of the high temperatures required to fire |
| consistent. | | | | the clay. A small enameling kiln allows you to |
| Precious Metal Clay once had a very bad | | | | safely achieve the temperatures required for |
| reputation for shrinkage, making it unsuitable for | | | | optimum results, but ensure that you have all the |
| fine work or detail. Modern precious metal clays | | | | correct equipment such as tongs with heat |
| have a much lower shrinkage rate (around | | | | resistant handles to extract work from the kiln |
| 10-15%), but you still need to factor this into the | | | | safely and a heat-proof surface upon which to |
| final piece to ensure that really fine detail is not | | | | work. |
| lost in the firing process. | | | | Precious metal clay is an ideal medium to work in |
| Once fired, the silver piece will seem very | | | | if you want to create pieces of silver jewelery |
| lackluster and dull, so it will need finishing. The dull | | | | that are unique to you. The only thing that limits |
| matt surface hides the real beauty underneath, so | | | | you is your imagination. Precious metal silver clay |
| finishing and polishing will reveal the shining silver | | | | is widely available from good jewelery equipment |
| below. When soldering finished precious metal clay | | | | suppliers. There are two main brands - Precious |
| pieces it is essential to remember that the | | | | Metal Clay and Art Clay Silver. The clay is also |
| surface will be more porous than standard sterling | | | | available in other metals including gold, but the |
| silver, so it is best to burnish the piece prior to | | | | cost is significantly higher than the silver clay. |
| soldering. But because it is almost pure silver | | | | |