Fine Silver Clay Products

Fine Silver Clay Products

Fine silver clay is available in 3 versions, each with a different minimum firing temperature. All fine silver products we carry are listed below.

The Basic Forms: Lump, Slip & Paper

Lump Form

The basic metal clay material is called "lump" form. It comes in a sealed foil packet and is ready to use. Lump form is used to roll slabs, snakes and to mold or sculpt objects. Lump form can be thinned with water and used as a paste.
 
Slip (or Paste) Form

Slip, also called Paste form, comes in a jar or loaded in a syringe. The paste form is fairly thin and is used like glue to paste wet or dry clay objects in place, as a media for slip casting, for painting onto an object for a hollow form, decoration and more. The syringe form is much stiffer than slip or paste. Metal clay syringe is used to extrude a thinner form of clay for decorating, setting stones, filling cracks, etc.

Paper Form

Paper form is a very thin sheet of clay that can be used to make bezels for objects to be set before or after firing, used for ring shanks, and folded like origami. Shapes can be cut out with punches and applied as decoration. It can also be laminated with water to make it thicker.

Fine Silver Clay Product Line

FS999™ Fine Silver Clay - Lump Form
Available in lump clay form, slip/paste and syringe, FS999 fine silver metal clay comes right out of the package ready to form, fire and finish. FS999 is a great, all purpose metal clay with excellent working properties. Invented by Bill Struve from Metal Adventures, the inventor of BRONZclay™, COPPRclay™, and EZ960® Sterling Silver clay. The shrinkage of this clay is 8-9%.

Workability Ready to use directly from the package, the first thing you will notice is its smooth, creamy consistency. The clay accepts and telegraphs the smallest of details in textures very well. It is easy to roll and form, and is surprisingly non-sticky. It also has a high moisture content, making it easy to work with in its wet form. For best long term storage and to maintain hydration and workability, store unused FS999 in a clay hydrator charged with distilled water.
Embedded
Objects
Cubic Zirconia, lab created gemstones, bezel cups and other findings or embeddables can be co-fired with FS999. Please refer to our Gemstone Firing Guide for a comprehensive list of gemstones that are compatible with firing times and temperatures of FS999. Most, but not all, CZs are lab created gemstones can be fired at 1650°F / 900°C for 2 hours on an open kiln shelf without failure or color change.
Firing
Options

Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
1650°F / 900°C 30 minutes - 2 hours (depending on piece size)
1600°F / 871°C 1 hour
1500°F / 843°C 3 hours
1450°F / 788°C 4 hours
1400°F / 760°C 6 hours

Torch/Hold Time: Not recommended

Art Clay Silver - Lump Form

Art Clay Silver can be fired as low as 1200°F / 649°C which makes it perfect for combining with glass, porcelain and ceramic materials, and is also suitable for firing with sterling silver findings or wire. Shrinkage is 8-9%. Because of the lower firing temperature, this clay can be fired with a wider variety of gemstones, and glass.

Uses This clay is perfect to be fired by itself or combined with glass or sterling silver wire and settings.
Workability Metal Clay can dry out very quickly, reducing its workability. If the clay becomes stiff during use, add a few drops of distilled water and knead well. Be sure to keep any unused portions of clay tightly sealed from air.
Embedded
Objects
Any object that can withstand the firing temperature of 1200°F / 649°C can be embedded and fired in place. This includes nano gems, glass, some natural gemstones, lab gems, cubic zirconia and porcelain. Please refer to our Gemstone Firing Guide for a comprehensive list of gemstones that are compatible with firing times and temperatures of Art Clay Silver.
Firing
Options
Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
1472°F / 800°C 5 min
1380°F / 749°C 10 min
1290°F / 699°C 15 min
1200°F / 649°C 30+ min

Torch/Hold Time: Red Glow/5 min

 


Metal Magic - Lump Form

This product is 75% fine silver and 25% binder by weight, and after firing, becomes .999 fine silver. This variety shrinks 25% during firing, which enhances its abilities to pick up the smallest of details in your creations. This clay has a great (long) working time and does not dry out too quickly. Great for pendants, beads, earrings etc., we do not recommend this metal clay for rings due to its high shrinkage rate.

Uses This form of silver metal clay can be used to craft any type of item, although we recommend against using it for ring making, due to its 25% high rate of shrinkage.
Workability Metal Magic Silver Clay dries slowly, offering the artist a longer work time before it begins to dry. Clay may seem hard in the packaging before use. Lubricate hands with a non-stick product like Claymate or Slik and work the ball of clay for a few minutes in a rolling motion. It will turn soft and pliable. To keep the clay moist and usable, return the unused clay to its original packaging or store in a Clay Hydrator. Dry clay overnight before firing, or dry on a hot plate or dehydrator at a maximum temperature of 175°F / 79°C for 30 minutes. Drying temperatures above 175°F / 79°C will begin to burn off the binding agents, with possible distortion to your piece.
Embedded
Objects
Any object, i.e. nano gems, cubic zirconia, lab created gemstones, findings, etc., can be fired in place as long as they can withstand the kiln firing temperature of 1600°F / 871°C for 30 to 90 minutes. See our Gemstone Firing Guide for more information on firing gemstones in metal clay.
Firing
Options
Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
1600°F / 871°C 30-90 minutes
We recommend 90 minutes as the longest hold time for a complete sintering, and the strongest end result.

Torch/Hold Time: Not recommended

Slip (or Paste Form) Product Properties

Uses Ideal for adding details and findings to your designs, making repairs, adding parts and pieces in the wet stage, greenware and post firing.
Workability All metal clay can and does dry out quickly. When working with syringe type clays, keep the tip(s) submerged in water to prevent the drying out of the clay. This clay has a 8-9% shrinkage rate.
Embedded
Objects
Nano gems, cubic zirconia, lab created gemstones, bezel cups and other findings or embeddables can be co-fired with FS999. Please refer to our Gemstone Firing Guide for a comprehensive list of gemstones that are compatible with the firing times and temperatures of FS999.
Firing
Options
Fire at the same times and temperatures as lump form FS999 Fine Silver Clay.

Uses Great for filling cracks, or creating details and decorations on unfired clay. Also good for creating a bezel to set fire safe czs and lab gemstones.
Workability All metal clay can and does dry out quickly. This product is water-based and can dry up. When not in use, keep the syringe tightly capped. When working with syringe type clays, keep the tip(s) submerged in water to prevent the drying out of the clay. This clay has a 8-9% shrinkage rate.
Embedded
Objects
The special formula of this product allows for the combination of glass, porcelain and ceramic materials, and is also suitable for firing with sterling silver.
Firing
Options
Fire at the same times and temperatures as lump form Art Clay Silver Clay.

 

 

Uses FS999 Fine Silver in slip/paste form ready to use - no need to thin lump clay to a thinner consistency. Ideal for adding details and findings to your designs, making repairs, adding parts and pieces in the wet stage, greenware and post firing. Also use to paint on leaves, sticks and botanicals to create and re-create natural designs.
Workability FS999 Fine Silver in slip/paste form ready to use - no need to thin lump clay to a thinner consistency.
Embedded
Objects
Nano gems, cubic zirconia, lab created gemstones, bezel cups and other findings or embeddables can be co-fired with FS999. Please refer to our Gemstone Firing Guide for a comprehensive list of gemstones that are compatible with the firing times and temperatures of FS999.
Firing
Options
Fire at the same times and temperatures as lump form FS999 Fine Silver Clay.

Uses This type of clay is used for coating organic materials, mending cracks or bonding pieces of dried Art Clay Silver components and attaching silver findings into a wet or dry Art Clay piece. Art Clay Silver has an 8-9% shrinkage rate after firing.
Workability Some silver settling may occur at the bottom of the jar. Stir the paste with a brush or metal spatula before use. This product is water-based and can dry. Always keep the container capped tightly. If it dries out, add a small amount of distilled water to rehydrate.
Embedded
Objects
Follow the guidelines for the lump form Art Clay Silver Clay.
Firing
Options
Fire at the same recommended temperatures as lump form Art Clay Silver Clay.
Uses This paste type is perfect for use with glass, glazed porcelain, sterling silver and settings. Overlay Silver Paste is in a viscous, liquid form and water soluble so that you can express 3 dimensional drawings on a surface of porcelain, ceramic or glass. After firing, this product turns into 99% silver form.
Workability Some silver settling may occur at the bottom of the jar. Stir the paste with a brush or metal spatula before use. This product is water based and can dry. Always keep the container tightly capped. If it dries, add a small amount of distilled water to rehydrate.
Embedded
Objects
Any object(s) that can withstand the firing temperature of 1200F can be embedded and fired in place. This includes glass, some natural gemstones, lab gems, cubic zirconia and porcelain. Refer to our Gemstone Firing Guide.
Firing
Options
Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
1650°F / 899°C 2 hours
1200°F / 649°C 30 min
1290°F / 699°C 15 min
1380°F / 749°C 10 min
Torch/Hold Time: Red Glow/5 min
*After reaching selected temperature, turn off kiln and cool down to 210°F / 99°C before removing piece from kiln.

Paper Form Product Properties

Art Clay Silver - Paper Form

Art Clay Silver Paper Type is a precious metal material that is composed of pure silver after firing. You can easily fold, bend, cut with scissors or paper punches just like you would do with regular paper. You can easily apply techniques from Origami, paper crafting, or leather crafting. Sheets are 3" x 3".

Uses This is a unique, paper-thin sheet of silver clay that needs no drying time. Created for origami, you can also fold, pleat, or punch out shapes for use as appliqué.
Workability This product has different characteristics from other Art Clay Silver products. Do not apply moisture onto the surface. It will remain soft during your work. Can not be used with 650 Low Fire Paste.
Embedded
Objects
Fine silver wire, bezel wire, and findings.
Firing
Options
Place in a cold kiln and slow ramp to 1472°F / 800°C. Hold for 30 minutes.

PMC - Paper Form

PMC Paper Type is a precious metal material that is composed of pure silver after firing. You can easily fold, bend, cut with scissors or paper punches just like you would do with regular paper. You can easily apply techniques from Origami, paper crafting, or leather crafting. Sheets are either 3cm x 12cm or 6cm x 6cm.

Uses This form can be cut with punches or scissors or tear it to achieve a ragged edge. You can draw pencil lines to determine the shape you want. Apply as decorations to other silver clay objects. Use for making bezels, folded or draped forms and ring shanks.
Workability PMC sheet dries very slowly. It's exceptionally thin and can be laminated to make thicker sheets by applying a mist of water (very fine!) to the paper and folding in half or placing another sheet on top. You can also use school glue like Elmers brand to hold pieces together. Set a weight on top until the joint seals. This glue will not distort the sheet during the firing process.
Embedded
Objects
Any object that can withstand the firing temperatures and times of PMC Plus can be embedded and fired in place. Some natural gemstones, lab gems and cubic zirconia's can be used, as well as porcelain. Check out our Gemstone Firing Guide for details on a specific stone.
Firing
Options
Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
1650°F / 899°C 2 hours
1290°F / 699°C 10 min
1200°F / 649°C 20 min
1110°F / 599°C 45 min
Torch/Hold Time: Red Glow/5 - 10 min depending on thickness