Precious Metal Clay – PMC

Last Sunday, I took my first PMC (Precious Metal Clay) class, and it was so much fun! If you have never played with PMC before, look for a class in your area…serious good time, and what a great jewelry-making medium!

If you are not familiar with PMC, it’s basically clay that’s been infused with pieces of fine (.999 pure) silver (gold is also available). You simply work the clay as you would polymer, or even clay used for making pots etc., and then fire it. The clay burns away, leaving behind silver in the shape that you created it. There is a shrinkage factor, depending on what type of PMC you are using, but even the impressions you make on the clay are evident on the silver.

In the class I took at Eyebeads and Gemstones on Sunday, we created earrings, pendants, and then were free to create at will using the extra clay. Because the instructor had to fire the additional pieces, I’m only able to share a picture of the earrings I created at this time. More as soon as I pick up my finished pieces from the shop.

I’m not quite done with these earrings yet, but working with PMC was a rewarding and fun experience and a medium I’d like to continue to explore. At around $40 (US) for a small package of clay, it’s not cheap, but given the quality of the finished product, I’m anxious to continue to “play” with the clay.