PMC Oak leaf, Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, and Pyrite mixed media gemstone necklace. Handmade jewelry by Arctida

I've been learning to work with the coolest new media in jewelry making -  PMC (Precious Metal Clay) since last spring and I'm finally starting to list pieces of jewelry that are made of it.

What is PMC? A unique form of pure silver (mainly composed of recycled silver particles) suspended in an organic binder. In this clay-like state it allows PMC artists to form and sculpt metal clay by hand. When fired at high temperatures by torch or in a jeweler's kiln, the binder burns off and the silver particles are fused together. The result is a one-of-a-kind pure silver piece (.999) purer than Sterling silver (.925).

So here is the first piece of many :) The focal pendant was made PMC using real Oak leaf from my garden as a template. The leaf has gone through a lengthy layering, drying and firing process that allows its physical properties to transfer to the silver replication. After firing, I hand polished the silver leaf pendant and applied multicolored iridescent patina, to make it look like a real fall leaf. So of course the necklace had to be made in autumnal colors as well. I chose different sizes of Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet and Pyrite rondelles and wire wrapped them into a handmade chain.

I love the versatility that PMC offers to the artists and all those endless possibilities to incorporate colored gemstones, the reason why I've entered the world of jewelry making in the first place. So stay tuned as more jewelry pieces are on the way :)

For more of my pmc fine silver jewelry click here