Unless otherwise stated, all items we sell are handmade, unique and individual. They are made using either pure 99.9% silver, sterling silver, 14ct gold filled wire (not plated) and glass or swarovski beads. All are one-off pieces which are eye-catching and original.
Silver Art clay
A number of our pure silver jewellery pieces are made with silver art clay. Silver clay is made up of particles of pure silver, organic binders and water. In its raw state silver clay is like any other type of clay; it can be moulded, pressed, shaped and cut into almost any design, allowing great flexibility in the design process. When the piece is placed in a kiln at high temperature the organic binders burn away and the metal particles "sinter" or fuse together forming a piece of solid pure 99.9% silver jewellery.
After firing the jewellery can be hammered, drilled, filed and polished to give produce the final effect.
Here, at bespokejewellery.net, our designers work with silver clay incorporating it with other materials such as dichroic glass, Czech and Swarovski crystal, glass and natural pearls to form beautiful, unique pieces of designer jewellery. Our pure silver range includes pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets, see our store for more.
Pure silver can also be used when making commissions, if you would like a unique piece of pure silver jewellery made to your specifications feel free contact us.
The perfect opportunity to add a special piece to your jewellery box.
THE TECHNICAL PROCESS
The process is easiest with pure silver and pure gold because these noble metals resist the formation of oxides and fuse at easily attainable temperatures. Platinum (the other noble metal) can be made into a clay but requires temperatures beyond the reach of most kilns.
Concept Working with Crystal Structure
- The working properties of metal clays are related to moisture content.
- Avoid working in a draft or using materials that will absorb water (like paper and cardboard).
- Take only the amount to be used at the moment, sealing the rest in plastic wrap to keep it moist.
- Put a few drops of olive oil or an organic skin lotion in your palms and roll the metal clay to apply a thin layer of oil. This will help seal in moisture.
- To make sheets of metal clay, roll it out like cookie dough, using a convenient length of plastic pipe as a rolling pin.
- To ensure uniform thickness, set matching spacers on each side of the clay. Tongue depressors, pieces of matte board, or stacks of playing cards make good spacers.
- Cut metal clay by dragging a needle through the material or with a knife, (which leaves a neater edge). A long, razor-like medical industry tool, called a tissue blade, is a useful (though dangerous) cutting tool. Plastic picnic knives make a nice alternative when children are involved, and the edge of a playing card works too.
- Metals are made up of small clusters of molecules called grains that arrange themselves according to several external conditions including heat, stress, and time.
Metal clays are, by their nature, loose-packed compared to traditional metals, which are compressed into rods and sheets under great pressure. Because pure metals are almost always more malleable than their alloys, these two factors explain why basic sintered metal clay is more malleable than wrought metals.
Metal clays with shorter firing times use several sizes of particles to yield a more dense and tough material.
Metal clays can be thinned with water to make a paste (called slip or slurry) that is useful to join elements, repair cracks, and as a surface texture.
Slip Textures Patterned Rollers
Metal clays are great at capturing textures. Textures without undercuts can be collected by simply pressing the metal clay against an object. If a release agent is needed, use cooking spray (e.g., Pam) or roll the clay between oiled palms to create a film on its surface. When working with delicate objects that are also combustible, it is usually easier to leave the textured object in place and simply allow it to burn away during the firing step.
Examples include leaves, flower petals, fine fabric, lace, feathers, and thread.
Carving Embedding Hollow Forms
Some people prefer to work with PMC when it is dry. Make a starting form and set it aside to dry, then work it with files, sandpaper, and carving tools. .. Make the form, sometimes to final shape and sometimes in a general way. .. To allow the work to dry, lay it on foam rubber or a crumbled wad of paper (to increase air flow). You can also dry it in an oven, on a warming tray, or with a hair dryer.
Remember that metal clay shrinks from all sides in all directions. Material beneath the implant will often push it upward as it contracts. Acceptable materials include: > brass & copper > some glasses > fine silver > high-karat gold > laboratory-grown gems > titanium and niobium > stainless steel > ceramic elements.
Silver Clay can be shaped over a burnable core to create beads and other hollow forms. Core materials include paper clay, Styrofoam, bread, and some snack foods, such as cheese balls. In general, the more porous the material, the better, since this means there is less material to burn away.
Firing Equipment
The ideal tool for firing is an electric programmable kiln. These kilns combine the benefits of accurate control with freedom since they do not require monitoring. Several kilns have been developed just for metal clay and can be purchased through jewelry supply companies. Next best is a manual kiln with an accurate pyrometer. As the kiln approaches the desired temperature, regulate the heat by adjusting the knob or cracking the door open. Kilns appropriate for this method include enameling kilns, burnout ovens, test (glaze) kilns, and many kilns used to fuse or anneal glass. Large ceramic kilns are not recommended because the internal temperature varies throughout the chamber.
When a shelf has been unloaded it should be put back in the warm kiln to cool slowly. These materials can be stacked using pieces of soldering block as supports between layers. Shelf materials are brittle so use common sense in providing support and avoiding stressful situations. Setting a heavy dish like this on an elevated shelf is tempting fate. Better to put the saucer on a low shelf. The single blocks make it easier to lift the tray with a spatula.