Art Clay silver clay in a syringe is a composite material, made of real silver powder and a harmless water-based organic binder. It looks and feels like toothpaste, and can be squeezed out to make patterns.

Silver clay is available in two forms, Original and the newer 650: Original fires at 800°C and 650 at 650°C, held for 30 minutes. The fired metal is solid silver, which can be hallmarked as pure 999 silver.
Most people use 650, partly because a wider range of other materials can be combined with it before firing. The 650 comes in regular and slow tarnish.

It has three main uses: to create delicate patterns, either on a clay piece or on a mould; to build up, or add shape to, an existing clay piece; or to stick two unfired clay pieces together.

If you want to learn more about using Art Clay, look at The Art Clay Club. It's a free resource, 24 7 52: you don't have to register, log on, or remember a password.

This water-based clay comes in a small plastic syringe that you can use with one hand. The tips can be cut to your own shape. As you apply the clay, you can use a little water to smooth the surface and optimise the adhesion.

Whilst working, don't let any clay dry on your tools: keep your syringe and brush tips in water and dab them on lint-free cloth just before use. Save scraps of clay in a small airtight container.

When your piece is shaped, let it dry naturally for 24 hours or in a kiln programmed from cool to 150°C, then held for 10 minutes: although, with care, you can dry it with a hair drier or a hot air gun, on a central heating radiator, or in a kitchen oven.

After drying, silver clay is dull-white. It's strong enough for you to be able to refine the shape using a knife, a scriber, a file, a drill, and abrasives. However, at this stage, thin pieces are brittle, so may snap.

Fire Art Clay 650 Silver in a kiln programmed from cool to 650°C, then held for 30 minutes: although, with care, you can fire small silver pieces on a kitchen gas hob, on a camping gaz ring, or with a butane torch.

If your piece doesn't include anything that will crack or melt at a higher temperature, Art Clay 650 Silver can be fired at 780°C for 5 minutes.

As it's heated, the organic binder vaporises, leaving solid metal which can be hallmarked as 999 silver. During firing, small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water vapour are released: so it's safe to use at home.

After firing, the clay still looks dull, but brushing off the powdery coating reveals bright metal. Your piece is now ready to reshape, drill, stain, polish, or burnish: or wear, sell, or give. Remember, it is metal: it doesn't just look like metal.

This water-based clay does what it says: when fired, the surface is slower to tarnish. However, remember that all silver, not just Art Clay silver, tarnishes due to environmental oxidants or pollutants.