What is PMC?

PMC is short for Precious Metal Clay. PMC was developed by Mitsubishi Materials Corp. of Japan and introduced into the United States in 1996. PMC is particles of fine silver suspended in an organic binder that feels rather like porcelain clay. It can be worked like clay, but when properly fired the organic binder burns off and the silver particles sinter together, leaving a piece of fine silver - purer and more tarnish-resistant than sterling.

There are 3 types of PMC: PMC original, PMC+ and PMC3. Each requires different firing temperatures and each shrinks differently. The easiest and most popular version of PMC is PMC3.

How do I use PMC?

There are 3 basic steps to using PMC. Form, Fire and Finish.

1.) Form

Using simple tools and your fingers, PMC is rolled, pressed, shaped and formed into a any shape you like. Textures can be pressed onto the clay. Rubber stamps are a popular method to transfer designs onto the clay. Simply press the shape into the clay. Other techniques include letting the clay dry and carving directly into it with sharp tools.

  

  

2.) Fire

After the clay has dried naturally or with a blow dryer, the item is ready to fire. There are many methods to fire PMC. The easiest method is using a hand held torch or a Hot Pot ceramic Kiln. Set your PMC item on a fire. PMC3 requires fire for 10 minutes at 1290°F - 700°C. It will burn and smoke at first and then glow red. You must fire it for 10 minutes when it reaches a red glow. Let the item cool. It will look white and chalky when done.

3.) Finish

After firing, the object can be handled like any silver item—it can be soldered, burnished, buffed, tumbled, plated and so on to achieve any finish you want. Popular techniques are to blacken the item with liver of sulfur and then polish to a shinny silver. The details and deep crevaces will remain black. That's it. Easy as 1-2-3.

  

Where do i get it?

Check out our PMC auctions at our eBay store Metal Expressions .