Precious Metal Clay was developed by Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan something over ten years ago.  Minute particles of silver (or gold) are held in suspension in an organic water-soluble binder.  This binder has the working properties of modelling clay, and is available as lump clay, sheets, slip (paste), and ready-to-use syringes.  When it is fired to a certain temperature, the binder burns away, and you are left with pure (fine) silver (or gold).  The purity is legally recognised, and items made with PMC may be hallmarked at any registered Assay Office, provided you have set up an account with them.

As lump clay, PMC can be stamped with rubber stamps, textured with any found object with an interesting surface, cut with cookie cutters, rolled into snake coils, and embellished with certain gemstones (see below because some really do not work at all!).  It can be braided, plaited, twisted, used in moulds, and will even hold detail as fine as fingerprints!

The sheet is made with a different binder, and is like a kind of rubbery paper.  So much so that it can be folded into origami shapes, or delicate Spanish fans.  It can be punched with card punches or folded into the graceful lines of a mini kimono.

The ready-filled syringe can be used to create fine detail on lump clay or sheet pieces, or it can be used to create delicate filagree-like work.

The slip, or paste, is used to 'glue' two pieces together or it can be painted on to give texture.  Several coats painted onto leaves and seed pods will, after firing, leave you with beautiful organic replicas, complete in every detail.

PMC can be fired in kilns (which don't have to be mega expensive - see menu on left for extremely reasonable PMC kilns), or fired with a blow torch (similar to a creme brulee torch).  Other methods include mesh on your cooking hob, and ceramic pots with fuel pellets.  We will be investigating these in due course.

Gem stones can be a bit tricky with PMC - some are perfectly OK, and others will disappear so thoroughly you will have to hunt for their dust in the kiln!  In brief, most cz's (cubic zircona) are perfectly safe, and any sold by us on this site have been kiln tested.

It is difficult not to start writing a book about PMC - but if you want to know more, or to explore this truly amazing medium, check out our list of classes and come along and have a go.  I am sure you will be glad you did.