About Precious Metal Clay (PMC)
Precious Metal Clay (PMC) Much of my jewelry is made of Precious Metal Clay silver—better known as PMC silver. PMC comprises microscopic particles of silver (or gold) suspended in an organic binder, which results in a pliable material similar to modeling clay that which can be stamped, sculpted, or worked with the fingers or various tools to create numerous forms, textures, and surfaces. When the dried clay item is then fired in a kiln at the appropriate temperature, the binder burns away and the metal particles fuse to form solid precious metal 99.99% pure. The metal can then be sanded, oxidized, polished, and soldered like conventional metals. PMC silver (.999) is more brittle, and thus less malleable, than sterling silver (.925), since it is the copper in sterling that lends malleability. Because of its higher content of silver, PMC is also more expensive than sterling. PMC was developed by Mitsubishi Materials Corp. of Japan and introduced into the United States in 1996.