About Metal Clay
If you’ve never heard of metal clay before today, you’re not alone. It’s a relatively new jewelry-making material, invented in Japan by Mitsubishi Materials in 1990 and introduced to the United States in 1995.
Easy to learn, yet infinitely challenging to master, metal clay offers endless design possibilities and many exciting techniques to fuel your creative fire.
Metal clay is adaptable and can be combined with metalsmithing, stone setting, enameling, ceramics, casting, and a broad range of other media. That’s why so many artists are crossing over and incorporating metal clay into their multimedia work.
But you don’t have to be an experienced artist to get started. The tools are simple, and most people find they can create something beautiful from their very first piece.
Clément Marquaire, Golden Cuff
Julia Rai, Sunstone Necklace
Kris Kramer, Necklace
Donna Penoyer, Split Leaf Earrings
What is metal clay?
Microscopically fine powdered metal is combined with a nontoxic binder and a bit of moisture to create metal clay. The material is malleable, so it can be rolled, textured, coiled, carved, and sculpted using techniques that aren’t possible with traditional metalsmithing.
Once the piece is finished, it is dried, refined, and then fired to just below the melting point of the metal. The binder and water burn away, the metal particles fuse together, and the result is a strong, solid piece of metal.
Today, artists can choose from many types of metal clay, including gold, fine silver, sterling silver, bronze, copper, steel, and iron. Some formulas can be fired with a butane torch; others require a kiln.
Visit the AMCAW Learning Center for educational resources to advance your metal clay journey. Explore Find Classes for learning opportunities online and in your community. Then browse Find Instructors to connect with a teacher who can take your skills to the next level.