What is Fine Silver Metal Clay?

Fine silver metal clay was invented in Japan in the early 1990’s. That figures; I am an absolute Japan-o-phile! Anyhoo, suspended in a clay-like material made of organic binders and water are many teeny tiny silver particles. These silver particles are made out of recycled industrial metals including those from film processing.

Making silver jewelry out of metal clay is an environmentally friendly, non-toxic way to make silver jewelry.  After texturing silver clay pancakes with my hand-carved linoleum stamps (it’s a form of printmaking!) and other made and found texture tools, and cutting into the desired shapes, I fire the dried clay pieces in a small jewelry kiln to remove the binder and fuse the metal into pure silver!

After firing, I forge (hammer) the silver pieces for long-lasting strength and durability. The resulting metal is a pure (“Fine”) silver that can be stamped “.999 FS”. Because Fine Silver contains no other metals or alloys (whereas sterling silver is an alloy that contains copper and zinc), it is lighter in weight than sterling (which you usually see stamped “.925”) and does not tarnish as quickly as sterling. Finish work includes tumbling, polishing, and adding a patina or darkening solution for a rich brown/black surface color. 

To accent my silver work I use a wide variety of very old vintage glass and trade beads from around the world; elegant gemstones; my own plant-dyed wool felt; and vintage textiles like Japanese indigo and kimono silk.

I love working with fine silver metal clay for many reasons; it is totally non-toxic which is of great importance; it can be richly textured with my own mark-making and design ideas; and the resulting durable silver pieces are artful, shiny and eco-friendly (100% recycled) jewelry that can be polished for many decades (or longer?) of happy use. By using metal clay for my silver work I am avoiding the many hazardous chemicals that jewelry designers often use in the workplace. In working with metal clay I am able to share my creative mark-making with you in a wearable, durable small-scale piece of art.

You can see and buy my jewelry here  or in local Portland shops.