How to add texture to precious metal clay

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by: clickthrough
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Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 Time: 12:29 PM
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Precious metal clay (often abbreviated to PMC) is a perfect medium for adding texture and detail to jewellery. Because of its malleability, PMC lets you impress almost any design into the surface. Once the binding agent that keeps the precious metal particles in suspension is fired off, the result will be a piece of precious metal jewellery that retains the pattern pressed into it, giving it that unique texture.

Almost anything can be used to add texture to precious metal clay - from custom-made moulds through to leaves, lace curtains or even dried pasta! Working with PMC requires very little in the way of specialist tools. All you need is some PMC, a few modelling tools that are inexpensive to buy and a kiln.

Perfect for any style

To add texture to traditional metal jewellery requires a process of chasing, engraving, etching and a host of other techniques that may take years to learn properly. Because PMC is so easy to work with, it is an ideal choice for hobbyists and those who just want to create their own unique jewellery for fun. Whether you prefer a rougher, more organic finish or a smooth, professional finish with crisp lines and fine detailing, PMC lends itself perfectly to any type or style of jewellery-making.

The easiest way to add texture to PMC is to buy commercially produced texture sheets or stamps. Texture sheets are usually about 8 inches by 11 inches in size, and the texture is transferred onto the precious metal clay by pressing the clay onto the sheet. To prevent it sticking and to ensure that the pattern is pressed cleanly into the clay, try using olive oil to lightly coat the sheet before you apply the PMC to it. Rubber stamps come in almost any design you can think of - from Celtic knotwork through to floral designs, butterflies and crisp, modern motifs. Again, the stamp is simply pressed into the PMC, transferring the pattern onto the surface of the clay.

Texture from ordinary objects

Anything you find around the house can add texture to PMC. A paper doily can be used to create an interesting ‘lace' pattern and will simply burn away during the firing process, leaving the pattern on the surface of the metal object. Other objects such as buttons or other pieces of jewellery can be used in the same way as rubber stamps, impressing a pattern onto the surface of the PMC before firing. The garden can be a rich source of inspiration, with bark, leaves, textured stones and fern fronds making ideal ‘natural stamps'.

You can also create your own textures by carving the surface of the PMC with modelling tools or other implements. The prongs of an ordinary fork can be used to create complex ‘Zen Garden' swirls, but ensure that you clean up the tracks carefully before firing to ensure a crisp effect.

One thing you will need to remember is that PMC does shrink during firing. As such, extremely fine detail may be lost during the firing process, so make sure your work is as clean and as crisp as possible before putting it into the kiln.

Precious metal clay is easy to work with and ‘takes' impressions of almost any object quickly and easily. The only thing that limits what you can use to create a textured finish that's unique and beautiful is your imagination!

About the Author

Adam Hunter - E-commerce Marketing Manager of cooksongold.com. Cookson Precious Metals offer a choice of supplies from over 10,000 products including gold and silver wire, jewellery findings, tools, precious metal clay and precious metal sheet - gold, silver, platinum and palladium plus technical information for jewellers, jobbers, designer, craftsmen, artisans and students.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Adam Hunter
E-commerce Marketing Manager
Tel(DDI): +44 (0) 121 212 6491
E-mail: adam.hunter@cooksongold.com