So I'm hooked on silver clay. After my first couple of pieces of jewellery I couldn't stop making beautiful things in silver. I researched more about the origins of the silver product I was using.
There are two main brands - Art Clay Silver (ACS) and Precious Metal Clay (PMC). Both appear to be very much the same although some jewellery makers prefer one brand over another. I
started off with ACS and am happy with it so this is the product I use.
The product was ''invented'' in Japan by Aida Industries, a metals recycling company. The silver is reclaimed from old photographic products and old film. Silver was used in the developing process.
When Art Clay Silver is taken out of the package, it is a slightly moist lump of 'clay. The clay is composed of 1-20 micron sized silver particles, organic binders, and water . The clay is then molded into its desired shape, and dried. Once the clay is completely dry it can then be filed, carved, and sanded; after which it is fired with a butane torch, or kiln.
During the firing process, the organic binders burn away and the resulting silver particles "sinter", becoming denser and stronger. The burning away of binders and sintering of metal causes the piece to shrink 8-10% in overall size while retaining the original form. Once completely fired, the remaining piece is composed of 99.9% pure silver.
I love the eco recycled nature of this product. Taking something that has no longer any use these days and turning it into a product for people to express their artist sides to bring that product right up-to-date and modern again.
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