Following yesterday’s post, I am looking some of the jewellery display boards of a talented sSilversmith,, and discovering more than just new exhibits but new knowledge too. I now know that a thing called “Silver metal clay” exists. It’s like a regular modelling clay in that it can be formed into something with very fine detail
The clay originated in 1990 in Japan by metallurgist Masaki Morikawa. The Wikipedia “Metal Clay” page tells us: “there are now several sorts of specialist clays available to jewellers today. It also says these clays * allow craft jewellery makers to make sophisticated looking jewellery without the years of study needed to make fine jewellery.”
The Wiki page tells me all about what each sort of clay is used for, strengths and uses… and if one sort were not enough, there is a list that includes: Silver metal clay, Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and Art Clay Silver (ACS). Sterling Silver Metal Clay was invented by Bill Struve, also the inventor of BRONZclay™ and COPPRclay™.”
The Wiki page goes into more technical detail than I was quite ready to know about jewellers mondeling clay, telling all about the development and uses of each, pro’s and cons etc… but the link is there if you are curious for any further reading. Once again the camera proves no match for the human eye, the depth of colour in the large turquoise piece especially, had to be seen to be believed.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)