Try it out: precious metal clay jewellery
Want to experience working with one of the most versatile and effective materials in jewellery making? Come and get to grips with precious metal clay, which handles like clay but turns into pure silver when fired.
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 01 Nov 2025End Date: 01 Nov 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The course is designed for both the complete novice and the experienced jeweller, and offers the chance to explore the exciting possibilities of adding stones into metal clay (known by the brand names of PMC and Art Clay Silver).
Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced jeweller, learn the basic techniques of working with this material as well as more innovative uses, to create original items of jewellery.
The course will begin with an introduction to the work area and the safe use of equipment. The tutor will demonstrate how to use metal clay effectively in jewellery design. Once the basic techniques have been covered, you will be encouraged to try the different methods of putting textures into the clay. This will be done with pre-made mats, using mould compound or bring in your own. This will develop your ideas and designs by working directly with the metal clay.
What will we cover?
- How to set up a work area
- Basic tools and what they do
- Techniques of rolling, making holes, creating texture, wrapping clay, firing, polishing, and patinas
You will be encouraged to design and make several pieces in the practice medium of polymer clay, thus allowing you to develop and refine your ideas before making your designs in metal clay.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Recognise of the properties of the different types of metal clay, and how best to handle them
- Use a range of equipment and tools to make a metal clay piece
- Fire a metal clay piece with a hand torch
- Use textures to create a design on metal clay
- Colour metal clay using a patina
- Sand and polish metal clay
- Consider design techniques suitable for metal clay.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels of ability, from beginners to experienced jewellers who want to incorporate metal clay into their mainstream jewellery designs. The course will also appeal to bead makers and clay artists.
You must be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussions. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Through demonstrations, practical work, advice and guidance, examples of jewellery made from metal clay and technical notes, as appropriate
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
General tools and equipment, polymer clay for practice pieces and 10g of metal clay (art clay) and metal clay slip will be supplied.
Please bring the following:
- An apron
- An empty film case or clean pill bottle
Page 1 of 2
- Plastic coated playing cards
- Note book and pencils etc.
- Cheap, fine tipped paint brushes
Optional extras (if you're feeling keen): clay shapers, badger balm, small cookie cutters, items for texture
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to
advanced, and for professional development.
Browse our current offer for complemtary courses.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to
Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details
VV616 Precious metal clay: setting stones
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.