Metal Clay Jewelry Cost

How Much Does Metal Clay Jewelry Cost?

Supplies for a Small Project: $35-$100

Available in either silver or gold, metal clay is a relatively new manmade material that's attracting a lot of attention among amateur jewelry makers. Although it doesn't contain any actual clay material, metal clay feels and acts like modeling clay -- but when heated to high temperatures it solidifies into pure metal, which can be polished, soldered and enameled the same as any other silver or gold object. It allows beginners to make metal jewelry without a lot of experience or skills.

Typical costs:

A 20 gram package of silver metal clay runs around $25 -$40; 50 gram packages are $65 -$75. Gold metal clay runs $230 -$280 for 5 grams and $350 -$400 for 10 grams. A small hand-crafted solid bead would use about two grams of clay, about $2.50 -$4 in silver and $70 -$115 in gold metal clay. Depending on thickness and embellishments, a pendant about an inch across would require around 7-10 grams of clay; in silver that would run $9 -$20 and in gold it would be $245 -$560. (Most hobbyists work in silver.)
Working with metal clay requires access to a kiln, although with some of the newer clays small objects can be fired (hardened into solid metal) using a blowtorch. Many people start with an introductory class to get their hands on the metal clay and the tools before spending money on equipment. Classes are typically offered at art schools, craft stores and adult education programs. Class fees are usually $45 -$150; the more expensive classes usually included supplies, but if they aren't included that can add another $15 -$100.
Starter silver metal clay kits without a kiln run $85 -$350 for a small quantity of silver metal clay, an instruction book and one or more burnishing tools, blades, brushes, tweezers, miniatures files and other items for working with clay or metal. Starter kits with small kilns run $700 -$800 and just a kiln starts around $300 -$500 but can cost $550 -$850.

What should be included:

Currently two Japanese companies make metal clay; it's sold primarily in silver but is available in gold alloy. In 1992 Mitsubishi introduced its Precious Metal Clay (PMC), followed by Art Clay by AIDA Chemical Industries. Lapidary Journal gives an overview of this new jewelry-making material and HGTV provides how-to instructions for making a silver metal clay heart. Photo galleries of jewelry made with metal clay are posted by the Precious Metal Guild and the Art Clay Society.
The Lapidary Journal provides directions for metal clay jewelry projects.

Shopping for metal clay jewelry:

For Mitsubishi's Precious Metal Clay (PMC), the Precious Metal Guild provides lists of PMC classes and PMC suppliers. For AIDA's Art Clay, Art Clay World does the same for Art Clay classes and Art Clay suppliers.

Article updated August 2008