Precious Metal Clay

Precious Metal Clay

PMC
PMC

PMC – Precious Metal Clay is made by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation in Japan using finely ground silver particles, a non-toxic organic binder and water.

During firing (using a butane gas torch or kiln) the binder burns off and the water evaporates, leaving a piece that is 99% pure silver. As such, it can be hallmarked as Fine Silver (.999). (The exception is PMC Sterling which can be hallmarked as .925)

There are five types of PMC Clay. Each has its own unique qualities.

  1. PMC Flex
  2. PMC3
  3. PMC+
  4. PMC OneFire Sterling
  5. PMC 22K Gold

To help you learn more about Precious Metal Clay,and how to use this exciting medium, The PMC Studio has a number of Accredited Training Centres which are licenced to deliver our range of courses.

FAQs

Q: How do you get the silver/gold into the clay?

A: In fact, it isn’t clay at all, but pure silver that has been finely ground and turned into a clay substance. When fired, the binder and water burn off returning it to its original state – Fine Silver.

Q: How does PMC differ from working with sheet silver?

A: PMC should really be seen as a complementary medium to Sterling Sheet. Sheet is ideal for creating large, smooth items. Due to the fact that it is sterling silver and because of the manufacturing process, sheet will be structurally stronger than PMC. However, PMC is ideal for creating patterns and textures as it can easily be moulded or sculpted. The use of certain construction methods and polishing means that most structural issues can be overcome.

Q: How flexible is PMC?

Silver Plaited Rings www.silver-stonejewellery.co.uk
Silver Plaited Rings www.silver-stonejewellery.co.uk

A: One of the key advantages of PMC is the fact that it can be re-fired many times, which means that you can add it to an existing piece at any time. For example, if you are making a ring, you can create the band and the top separately. These can then be put together, using paste, before or after firing. And if you don’t like the result you can simply change it as many times as you like! Our new PMC Flex also enables you to create very flexible patterns such as this plaited ring.

Q: Can PMC be hallmarked?

A: By law, items weighing more than 7.78g of silver, 1g of Gold and Palladium or 0.5g of Platinum need to be hallmarked if they are to be sold or exhibited as precious metal. Once fired all types of PMC silver can be hallmarked as Fine Silver and PMC 22K Gold as 22 Carat Gold. The PMC Studio recommends 3D laser hallmarking.

Creative Metal Clay

creative copper clay -www.silver-stonejewellery.co.uk
creative copper clay -www.silver-stonejewellery.co.uk

Creative Metal Clay, available in both Copper and Bronze, is a new type of clay that can be fired with a professional torch or in a kiln without the need for a kiln pan or carbon.

Creative Copper Clay and Creative Bronze Clay are affordable and easy to use.

Both Clays are ideal for prototyping, as the clay can be rehyrdated at any time.

Click here to download our guide to Getting started with Creative Metal Clay