Metal Clay Weight Explained: Why Silver Weight Matters More Than Clay Weight
When comparing metal clay products, many artists notice something confusing: similar products can be labeled and priced differently, even when the quality appears the same.
The reason usually comes down to how metal clay is labeled.
Some companies package metal clay by total clay weight, while others (like us) package by actual metal weight (silver, copper, bronze). This difference can make one product look less expensive, even when it contains less metal. For this blog, we will be referencing silver clay.
Understanding this distinction helps you compare metal clay accurately and get the most value for your money.
Let’s break it down clearly and honestly.
What Is Metal Clay, Really?
Metal clay is a mixture of:
- Metal particles (silver, bronze, copper, etc.)
- Binder
- Water
When you fire metal clay, the binder burns away and only the metal remains.
The only part that becomes your finished jewelry is the metal.
So, the most accurate way to measure value is by metal content, not wet clay weight.
Two Different Ways Companies Label Metal Clay
1️⃣ Clay Weight (Wet Weight)
Some manufacturers package and label their clay by the total wet clay weight, which includes:
- Silver
- Binder
- Water
This number looks bigger on the label, but a significant portion disappears during firing.
2️⃣ Silver Weight (Metal Content)
Other manufacturers (including us) label clay by the actual silver content - the part that becomes your finished piece.
This number may look smaller at first glance, but it tells you exactly how much silver you’re buying.
Let’s compare two fine silver metal clays side by side:
|
Brand |
Labeled Weight |
Actual Silver Content |
Total Clay Weight |
|
Competitor Fine Silver |
50 g clay |
46 g silver |
50 g |
|
Phoenix Torch Fireable Fine Silver |
50 g silver |
50 g silver |
56.6 g |
What This Means
- Our clay contains more silver
- You get more clay to work with
- You get more finished silver jewelry after firing
Even though our price may look higher at first glance, you are actually getting more silver for your money.
When clay is sold by wet weight:
- Two packages with the same labeled weight can contain different amounts of silver
- Price comparisons become misleading
- Customers may unintentionally pay more per gram of silver
That’s not helpful, especially for artists who carefully calculate material costs.
Why We Choose to Label by Silver Weight
We label our metal clay by actual silver content because:
- It’s transparent
- It reflects the true value of the material
When you buy 50 grams of silver clay from us, you know:
- You are getting 50 grams of silver
- You can accurately plan projects
- You can price your work with confidence
The Bottom Line
Metal clay pricing isn’t just about the number on the package, it’s about what survives the firing.
✔ Clay weight includes material that burns away
✔ Silver weight reflects what becomes your finished jewelry
When you compare metal clay, always compare silver to silver - not clay to clay. This measurement of metal weight over clay weight applies to all of our brand metal clay - silver, copper and bronze.
If you ever have questions about metal content, firing results, or choosing the right clay for your work, we’re always happy to help.
