For those not familiar with PMC or Precious Metal Dirt, it is a clay based craft material made from tiny metallic particles, an organic binding agent and water, which can exist modelled and shaped merely like normal clay. Once stale and fired it becomes a solid piece of sintered metallic. Precious metallic clay can then be drilled, sawn and worked just like whatever other piece of metal, and then ultimately hallmarked.

infographic on precious metal clay for beginners

Cooksongold's Guide to Using Precious Metal Clay to Make Silverish Jewellery – click the in a higher place epitome to acquire more

PMC was originally developed in Nihon in 1990 by a company called Mitsubishi Materials Trading Corporation. Since its original release, precious metal clay has evolved into a broad range of products, each with slightly different characteristics. Read on for a comparison of those characteristics and to learn the pros and cons of each precious metal clay product.

The products which will exist compared are: PMC3, PMC+, PMC Flex and PMC Sterling.

What is PMC3?

PMC3-Precious-Metal-Clay

PMC3 is arguably the most multi-purpose version of Precious Metal Clay available. It has a long drying time which makes information technology ideal for beginners, but conversely this also ways that it can exist quite gummy to handle. To help with this, make certain your glass work surface and tools are all lightly coated in olive oil or Badger Balm.

PMC3 can be either torch-fired in 2 minutes or kiln-fired at a low temperature, and is platonic for combining with drinking glass and some stones for mixed media pieces. Information technology has a low shrinkage rate (approximately 10%), which means you get a substantial metal content once fired. PMC3 is a fine silver clay, meaning that it is 99% pure and can be hallmarked equally 999, Fine Silver once fired. PMC3  is a practiced, general purpose clay.

What is PMC+

pmc+

PMC+ is second generation Precious Metal Clay, and is a slightly more advanced production. Information technology is much dryer and firmer in consistency than PMC3, which makes it perfect for fine detail and textures. You lot will get overnice well-baked results with PMC+, and I found this dirt very easy to use. The flipside of information technology being a dryer product ways that it has a quicker drying time, and then maybe avoid using PMC+ if you don't take a design to work to and are simply 'playing'.

PMC+ has a quite a high shrinkage charge per unit at 12%. So again, this is a good reason to programme what y'all make with this product as the pay-off is slightly less than with other comparable clays. Like PMC3 information technology tin can be both torch (v minutes) and kiln fired, and tin can be hallmarked as Fine Silver, 999 in one case finished.

What is PMC Flex?

PMC-Flex

PMC Flex is one of the most avant-garde forms of precious metal dirt. Equally the name implies, it retains its flexibility in one case fired making information technology suitable for more than delicate work which might break under normal circumstances. It has an extremely long working fourth dimension, which again means it can be quite sticky to handle (come across previous PMC3 tip about using olive oil or Annoy Balm to help reduce stickiness), but it does make information technology the best option for complex projects liable to accept a long time to model.

Out of all the clays reviewed, PMC flex definitely has the longest drying time, so you must ensure it is fully dry before firing – ideally leave it overnight or put information technology in a dehydrator if you take i. It tin be fired using a torch or a kiln, and the shrinkage rate is at approximately 10 – 15%. Like PMC3 and PMC+, this is a Fine Silver product and can be hallmarked as such.

PMC Sterling

PMC- Sterling

PMC Sterling is an altogether dissimilar product, and must non exist mixed with other PMC clays due to it being a silver alloy as opposed to pure silver. PMC Sterling has a silver purity of 95% and like all sterling silverish metal, and can ultimately exist hallmarked 925.

The biggest difference from a making perspective, between this product and the other PMC clays, is that PMC Sterling cannot be torch fired and instead requires a specialist kiln and a ii stage firing procedure – significant that PMC Sterling is really more suitable for those who are more experienced (a fact which is also alluded to in the instructions); 'For those with experience, the instructions are simple' .

PMC Sterling can exist hands moulded, sculpted or carved and is very strong one time fired making it ideal for high wear and tear jewellery items.

The shrinkage rate is the highest beyond the PMC range at 15%-twenty%, so this does need due consideration and planning before you start.

Which precious metal dirt should I use?

Ultimately your pick of PMC volition depend on the desired consequence you are hoping to achieve, along with your level of feel with the textile. Take the time to consider both the pros and the cons of each product and you shouldn't go far wrong.

Fancy getting creative with Precious Metal Clay in your own PMC jewellery making workspace? Explore the full range of PMC bachelor to purchase at present at Cooksongold – plus don't forget to go the correct tools for making your Precious Metal Clay pieces!

For more information on Precious Metal Clay, download your FREE PMC Guide today.

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Author: Cooksongold