High Heels and a Wig

Everyone likes to treat themselves once in a while and buying jewellery can seem like the ultimate indulgence. However, it’s an indulgence that few are able to extend to in the current economic climate. That beautiful necklace will have to stay in the jeweller’s window for just a bit longer.

Before you resign yourself to a life of bare necks, naked earlobes and unadorned fingers, there is a way of getting the pieces you want in a much more wallet-friendly way: make them yourself.

We’ve probably all tried our hand at creations with beads (who doesn’t have a box-load of the things stuck at the back of a cupboard somewhere?) with varying degrees of success, but now jewellery making has grown up. Amazingly, you can make your own silver, gold, bronze or copper jewellery using precious metal clay (PMC).

What is precious metal clay? Developed in the 1990s by Mitsubishi Materials, the clay comprises fine, real, metal particles mixed with organic binders.

It’s easy to use. Essentially, it is like any other clay and can be used as such: rolled out, shaped, cut, coiled, etc., to create any design you wish. That could be a chunky bangle or a detailed and delicate broach. It can be used in a syringe for very fine detailing and other materials can be added, like wire, before firing.

After air-drying, PMC can be fired at home on a gas hob or even using a creme brulee torch. The metal particles fuse together in the extreme heat, to form a completely metallic object. Once hard, it can be drilled, filed, polished and given an finish you desire.

Experts say the gold and silver can be hallmarked as 999 and 916 respectively as indications of their purity. Silver clay is 99.9 per cent pure and is classed as fine silver. Gold comprises 91.5 per cent purity, equivalent to 22 carats.
Gaining in popularity, precious metal clay used to be the reserve of classes but is now much more widely available to buy, accompanied by a range of tools, equipment and advice.

Now you need never go without a totally unique piece of jewellery; plus they make fantastic presents?