Precious Metal Clay Product Information

Precious metal clay is a moldable material that needs high heat to be transformed to its final metal state. Precious metal clay is made with precious metal particles, an organic (non-toxic) binder and water. It can be rolled flat, shaped, molded, textured, carved, sanded, filed and formed. It is used to make jewelry, jewelry components, findings, embellishments for ceramic work and so much more. Once formed and bone-dry, the clay is refined then fired at temperatures ranging from 1100 degrees F to 1650 degrees F. During the firing, the organic material is burned out and the metal sinters to form a solid mass of metal. Once fired, the metal can be worked using traditional metalsmithing techniques including soldering and forging. Once the design is complete, it can be polished to a satin or high-shine finish as well as patinaed.

There are different brands and types of precious metal clays available to the artist. The following chart will help with knowing which precious metal clay to choose when.

Fine Silver

Product Type	Characteristics	Available Types	Firing	Shrinkage
Art Clay® Silver	• Low fire formula • Slow drying allows for longer working time • Strong formula for durability after firing • Available in a starter kit	• Lump clay • Overlay paste • Paste • Syringe	• Torch - If smaller than a US Silver Dollar (approximately 25 grams) • Kiln	• 8-9%
PMC3™ Precious Metal Clay	• Strongest fine-silver clay from PMC • Sintering achieved in less time and at lower temperature than PMC+ • Good to use when embedding items in the clay • Available in a starter kit	• Lump clay • Paste • Syringe	• Torch - If smaller than a US Silver Dollar (approximately 25 grams) • Kiln	• 15-20%
PMC+™ Precious Metal Clay	• Ideal for both jewelry and small sculptures • Best for use in items that will not receive additional wear and tear	• Lump clay • Sheet	• Torch - Lump clay if smaller than a US Silver Dollar (approximately 25 grams), small pieces of sheet to form granules • Kiln	• Lump clay: 12-15% • Sheet: 10-12%
PMC® Flex® Precious Metal Clay	• Extended working time allows designing for several days • Pliable, yet sturdy, for flexibility before drying	• Lump clay	• Torch - If smaller than a US Silver Dollar (approximately 25 grams) • Kiln	• 10-12%
Prometheus® Silver Clay 999	• Low temp and short firing time • Creates bendable, yet strong fine-silver pieces	• Lump clay	• Kiln	• 12-13%

Sterling Silver

Product Type	Characteristics	Available Types	Firing	Shrinkage
OneFire Sterling PMC	• Dried pieces are soft enough to carve, but firm enough to keep crisp edges and details • Long working time • Less sticky than many other metal clays	• Lump clay	• Kiln	• 13-16%
PMC Sterling® Precious Metal Clay	• High surface hardness and tensile strength • Works well for items that receive more wear and tear - such as hinges and bracelets	• Lump clay	• Kiln with 2-step firing	• 15-20%
Prometheus® Silver Clay 950	• Super strong in both dried and fired form - can even be dapped • Low temp and short time requirements for firing	• Lump clay • Paste • Syringe	• Kiln	• 12%

Gold

Product Type	Characteristics	Available Types	Firing	Shrinkage
Accent Gold for Silver™	• Ideal for applying accents to fine silver • After firing the layer of gold applied is 24Kt gold	• Brush-on	• Torch • Kiln	• None
Art Clay 22Kt Gold	• As with any high karat gold, the softer metal is best used in pieces that don't receive as much wear and tear	• Lump clay • Paste	• Kiln	• 15%
PMC Gold™ 22Kt	• As with any high karat gold, the softer metal is best used in pieces that don't receive as much wear and tear	• Lump clay	• Torch • Kiln	• 12 - 19%

Copper

Product Type	Characteristics	Available Types	Firing	Shrinkage
COPPRclay™	• Affordability of copper with the same workability of precious metal clay • Can easily be used for jewelry and sculpture	• Lump clay	• Kiln in coconut shell-based carbon	• 20-22%
Prometheus® Copper Clay	• Ratio of metal powder and binder give fired pieces better density and strength • Can be used on a potter's wheel in addition to all other metal clay techniques	• Lump clay • Syringe	• Torch • Kiln	• 6-10%
White COPPRclay	• Addition of nickel provides a silvery color at a fraction of the cost of precious metal clays	• Lump clay	• Kiln in activated carbon	• 20-25%

Bronze

Product Type	Characteristics	Available Types	Firing	Shrinkage
BRONZclay™	• Strong and economical enough for larger pieces, such as sculptures • Dries quickly - moisture may need to be added during working time	• Lump clay	• Kiln in activated carbon	• 17-20%
Prometheus Bronze Clay	• Ratio of metal powder and binder give fired pieces better density and strength • Can be used on a potter's wheel in addition to all other metal clay techniques	• Lump clay • Syringe	• Torch • Kiln	• 6-10%
Prometheus Greenish Yellow Bronze Clay	• Ratio of metal powder and binder give fired pieces better density and strength • Can be used on a potter's wheel in addition to all other metal clay techniques	• Lump clay	• Kiln in activated carbon	• 6-10%
Prometheus Light Yellow Bronze Clay	• Ratio of metal powder and binder give fired pieces better density and strength • Can be used on a potter's wheel in addition to all other metal clay techniques	• Lump clay	• Kiln in activated carbon	• 6-10%
Prometheus Sterling White Bronze Clay	• Bright silver color achieved without nickel • Ratio of metal powder and binder give fired pieces better density and strength • Can be used on a potter's wheel in addition to all other metal clay techniques	• Lump clay	• Kiln in activated carbon	• 6-10%
Prometheus White Bronze Clay	• Silvery color is achieved without the addition of nickel • Ratio of metal powder and binder gives fired pieces better density and strength • Can be used on a potter's wheel in addition to all other metal clay techniques	• Lump clay • Syringe	• Kiln	• 6-10%

Other

Product Type	Characteristics	Available Types	Firing	Shrinkage
Accent Silver™	• Apply silver embellishments to copper, bronze and brass	• Brush-on	• Kiln in activated carbon	• None

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