Precious Metal Claytm, created by Mitsubishi Materials Corp. , is a mixture of microns of pure
silver or gold, water and an organic binder. When fired, by kiln or torch, at very high
temperatures, the binder burns away, leaving pure fused .999 fine silver or 22k gold, making it
possible for almost anyone to make beautiful wearable art in a matter of only hours! (There is a
shrinkage factor to consider when designing with PMC of anywhere from 12% to around 28%,
depending on the formula.)
PMC was introduced to the United States in 1996, and is distributed by two companies: Rio
Grande Jeweler's Supply (www.riogrande.com) in Albuquerque, NM who supplies the jewelry
trade here in the USA, and wholesalers all over the world. Another distributor is PMC Connection
in California, (www.pmcconnection.com).
| What is PMCtm ? |
One of the best values I have found in the metal clay
industry is my membership in the International PMC
Guild. The Guild (www.pmcguild.com) is a members
organization with the mission of providing support,
education, research and exposure for artists in Precious
Metal Clay.
Membership is only $30/year, $55.00 for 2 years or the
real deal, $80.00 for 3 years. Membership includes four
issues of FUSION, the Guild's quarterly journal, filled with
all the goings-on in the PMC world, and techniques as
well; the PMC Guild ANNUAL, a full color juried collection
of some of the best work in PMC from artists around the
world (this value alone exceeds the price of the
membership) ; discounted rate for the biennial PMC
Conference and access to members-only features on the
Guild website. Early in 2009, an e-newsletter will be
introduced also.
industry is my membership in the International PMC
Guild. The Guild (www.pmcguild.com) is a members
organization with the mission of providing support,
education, research and exposure for artists in Precious
Metal Clay.
Membership is only $30/year, $55.00 for 2 years or the
real deal, $80.00 for 3 years. Membership includes four
issues of FUSION, the Guild's quarterly journal, filled with
all the goings-on in the PMC world, and techniques as
well; the PMC Guild ANNUAL, a full color juried collection
of some of the best work in PMC from artists around the
world (this value alone exceeds the price of the
membership) ; discounted rate for the biennial PMC
Conference and access to members-only features on the
Guild website. Early in 2009, an e-newsletter will be
introduced also.
There are also 4 different methods of packaging for silver PMC :
Lump form, available in several different gram weights, and can be molded, formed or rolled in the
wet state, carved, sanded and drilled in the bone dry (or greenware) state. It also can be
assembled in either state; syringe, used for embellishment, drawing and repairs; paper-type, used
for creating bezels, origami objects and cloissons for cloisonne enamel work and lastly, paste
which is used mostly for joinery, slip-coating and repairs.
PMC Gold is available in small lump form, and in a liquid form called Aura 22.
Lump form, available in several different gram weights, and can be molded, formed or rolled in the
wet state, carved, sanded and drilled in the bone dry (or greenware) state. It also can be
assembled in either state; syringe, used for embellishment, drawing and repairs; paper-type, used
for creating bezels, origami objects and cloissons for cloisonne enamel work and lastly, paste
which is used mostly for joinery, slip-coating and repairs.
PMC Gold is available in small lump form, and in a liquid form called Aura 22.
PMC3 , with 12% shrinkage, is the strongest blend with the lowest firing temperature. It is used for
rings**, and other jewelry that might take abuse as well as creations requiring lower firing
temperatures due to inclusions, like dichroic glass, as shown below. PMC3 is also preferred by
many (including me) for beginner classes because of the shorter firing time, and also because it
can be torch fired.
PMCtm silver is available in three formulations:
Standard, which is the original formula and has a 28% shrinkage factor. It is wonderful when
working with details like carving, because it's greater shrinkage allows the artist to work larger.
PMC Standard requires 2 hours of firing at 1650 degrees (which is the optimum strength firing
schedule for all PMC silver clays, but not necessary on the other two formulas). Here are a
couple of my own examples made in PMC Standard:
Standard, which is the original formula and has a 28% shrinkage factor. It is wonderful when
working with details like carving, because it's greater shrinkage allows the artist to work larger.
PMC Standard requires 2 hours of firing at 1650 degrees (which is the optimum strength firing
schedule for all PMC silver clays, but not necessary on the other two formulas). Here are a
couple of my own examples made in PMC Standard:
PMC+ shrinks approximately 12% and is considered the best for special applications,
like stenciling & water etching like these two pieces:
like stenciling & water etching like these two pieces:
**Rings really take a
beating; it's always best to
fire them at 1650 for 2
hours for maximum
strength.
beating; it's always best to
fire them at 1650 for 2
hours for maximum
strength.
PMCtm Forms of Packaging
PMCtmFormulations
PMCtm Networking
| If you are in the Sarasota-Bradenton FL area and have already had a beginner class (sorry...we share techniques but we don't "teach" beginners at our meetings) in the metal clays, contact me about our FL Suncoast Chapter of the PMC Guild. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and share techniques and information. We love snow-birds and folks visiting on vacation, too! |
| Florida Suncoast Chapter of PMC Guild |
Metal clay is not exactly CLAY...it's a combination of metal powder, an organic binder and water,
which when fired to the appropriate temperatures sinters into solid metal. Two Japanese
companies, Mitsubishi and Aida, make silver and gold clays. Aida's clay is marketed under the
name of Art Clay. BronzClay is manufactured in the USA by Metal Adventures, who will also
release Copper Clay in 2009. Hadar's Clay, copper and bronze in powder form has also been
released, and eventually I will offer classes with all these products .
which when fired to the appropriate temperatures sinters into solid metal. Two Japanese
companies, Mitsubishi and Aida, make silver and gold clays. Aida's clay is marketed under the
name of Art Clay. BronzClay is manufactured in the USA by Metal Adventures, who will also
release Copper Clay in 2009. Hadar's Clay, copper and bronze in powder form has also been
released, and eventually I will offer classes with all these products .