Precious Metal Clay (aka Art Clay Silver)
Precious Metal Clay is commonly referred to as PMC. Art Clay Silver is a brand name of PMC.
PMC is a moldable clay that is made from tiny particles of pure silver, water, and organic binders. It can be purchased in solid form, paste, or syringe. After molding, the piece is dried thoroughly to remove all water. After drying, the piece will resemble a piece of unfired pottery, and can be sanded or filed to remove rough edges or to carve designs into the clay. Finally, the PMC piece is fired using a torch, gas stove, or kiln. Firing removes the organic binders and leaves behind a 99.9% silver rendition of your piece. Following firing, the piece is cleaned, and can be oxidized using Liver of Sulfur.
Forms of PMC:
Solid clay can be rolled, formed and shaped just like pottery clay. Use "slip" (a medium to thin paste formed by combining the clay with water) to join pieces together. Keep clay moist during the molding process, or it will begin to dry and be difficult to use.
Pastes can be painted on materials such as leaves. Paint the underside of a well-veined leaf with several coats of PMC to create a unique silver version of the leaf!
PMC in syringe form can be used to make hollow forms over materials that can be burned away at a later time.
Types of PMC:
PMC is available in slow-dry, standard, or fast dry types. Dry time, firing temperature and time, and firing method are determined by the type of PMC you are using.
After firing, the PMC piece will be slightly smaller (actual percent of shrinkage depends on the type of PMC you are using), so shrinkage should be considered when making a piece, especially rings.
PMC and supplies can be purchased from many online jewelry suppliers, including Fire Mountain Gems and Rings N Things.
If you are interested in starting to use PMC, you may want to take a class from a certified PMC instructor, or purchase a starter kit (contains most of the items you will need to get started.)
