Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is made of pure, fine silver powder, an organic binder and water that resembles, and can be formed like, clay. When the formed PMC piece is dry, it is then fired at a desired temperature in a kiln or with a torch. During this process, the binder and water are burned off and the precious metal remains! This material is also available in 24K gold.
I make beads, earrings, pendants, rings, and bracelets from precious metal clay. All of these items are available for sale and are unique pieces of jewelry as I carve my own forms and make most of my design tools myself. Many of my designs come from my sketches but several ideas are formed as I am working with the clay.
How do you go from a piece of "clay" to a piece of fine silver? Here is a lump of standard PMC in its raw form. It is then manipulated, rolled flat, texturized, stamped and dried.
Here are some unfired pendant pieces as they are drying.
For these pendants, bails made from PMC were added and then fired in a kiln. After being fired, the pieces are scrubbed with a brush and polished. I patina most of my pieces in a solution of liver of sulfur to bring out the textures and designs.
The finished piece can be strung onto a ribbon or simple leather cording or can be incorporated into a beaded piece of jewelry.
