What is Precious Metal Clay?
Metal clay, often referred to as Precious Metal Clay (PMC) or Art Clay, depending upon the manufacturer, is (in it’s unfired form) a clay made up of microscopic particles of precious metals – either silver, gold or platinum – mixed with a non-toxic organic binding agent and water. This clay, in it’s unfired state, can be easily molded and formed in the same way potter’s clay can. After the clay has taken on the desired form, it is fired at high temperatures in a kiln where all of the binding agent and water are burned out, leaving only pure metal. Pieces created in silver and gold metal clays are Pure or Fine Silver and 24k gold respectively. Because jewelry created using metal clays are pure metals, they are much softer than alloyed metals such as sterling or karat golds which are mixed with other metals to achieve different levels of hardness. For this reason it is not recommended that rings and bracelets made from metal clay be worn on a daily basis if they come into regular contact
