Precious Metal Clay (PMC) made its first appearance in the 1990’s and has become popular in jewellery making. The clay is a combination of binders and tiny particles of precious metal suspended in the clay.

Once heated, the binders burn off, allowing the particles of metal to combine and resulting in a solid metal piece. The most common type of PMC is silver clay, although gold and even bronze clays are available (the gold clay being very expensive).  Read more... (585 words, 2 images, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)

Tags: Bangle, binders, filigree, Gold Jewellery, impressions, lace, metals, Precious Metal Clay, Remarkable Material, rollers, Shrinkage, Silver Beads, Silver Bracelet, Silver Clay, Specialist Equipment, Textured Surface, Tiny Particles

Beads are probably one of man’s oldest forms of decoration and jewellery, and are still as popular today as they have ever been. With the advent of modern jewellery making techniques, the range of beads available to the home jeweller is vast, ranging from simple bone or wooden beads through to precious metal beads made of gold and silver.

Silver beads have been prized for centuries for their elegance and ability to compliment almost any other combination of decoration. But there is a clear difference between silver and sterling silver.  Read more... (563 words, estimated 2:15 mins reading time)

Tags: Beads Jewellery, Body Jewellery, Bone Beads, Cuffs, Delicate Work, different shapes, Gold And Silver, Gold Beads, Metal Beads, Precious Metal, Semi Precious Stones, Silver Alloy, Silver Beads, Silver Necklace, Silver Silver, Silver Sterling, Sterling silver, Wooden Beads