Silver Clay Firing Support Dishes & Media

Choose a high-temperature fused silica firing dish filled with your choice of firing media. The media cradles items needing support during firing. Beads, domes and other 3-dimensional or hollow items need support during firing to avoid flat spots, slumping or collapse.

Vermiculite is a mineral that breaks down as it is heated into worm-like accordion shaped pieces that make a most wonderful media for firing metal clay objects.

Alumina hydrate is made from aluminum sulfate and sodium carbonate. Alumina hydrate is used in the ink and paint industry as a colorant and in the cosmetic industry as a colorant and filler. Alumina hydrate has a sandy or powdered texture which some prefer over the coarser texture of vermiculite. Please note: Alumina hydrate is a dust so wearing a mask is recommended when handling.

Before firing metal clay in your firing dish, pre-fire the media and the dish alone to 1650°F (no hold).