Art Clay water-based gold clay, sometimes called metal clay or precious-metal clay, is made by Aida Chemical Industries in Japan: it's a composite clay-like material, made of 95% 22 carat gold and 5% harmless water-based binder. It only comes in regular, not slow-dry or slow-tarnish.

New clay looks and feels like dull yellow plasticene or polymer clay, as shown in the photo, and can be shaped easily using familiar modelling tools and similar techniques.

As gold clay is fired, the binder vapourises and the metal powder sinters, leaving gold which can be hallmarked as 22 carat gold: 91.7% gold and 8.3% silver, and real metal, not something that just looks like metal. The chemical symbol for gold is Au, an abbreviation for the Latin aurum.

Its easy-to-use flexibility makes it a versatile material, ideal for art colleges, home and business jewellers, ceramic cafes, craftworkers, glass studios, metalsmiths, modelmakers, and potteries.

The clay comes in a cellophane wrapper, inside a foil packet, inside a retail box, with an instruction leaflet. Tear open the foil packet using the markers. Be careful, as the foil packet can be re-used.

Unwrap the clay and cut off a piece to work with. At this stage, silver clay is a dull yellow. Knead it until it feels soft and malleable, but don't knead it for too long: it will begin to dry out and you'll get expensive dry clay all over your fingers.

Some people use hand-cream. However, any oils kneaded into the clay won't evaporate like water when the clay is dried: they'll remain, and burn away during firing, possibly leaving tiny holes or fine cracks.

If you work regularly with Art Clay, write on the part-used packets how many grammes are left so that, in future, you only need to open the appropriate one.

Clay left in the open air will begin to dry, so keep any scraps in a small airtight pot: later, you can knead them back into re-useable clay or make a paste with a little water that you can use to shape, fill, or stick. Be careful to only re-cycle clay scraps: don't accidentally pick up metal filings, dried clay, abrasive grit, or work-area dust.

New clay is just moist enough to work with. However, if you're using clay from an old packet and it feels dry, brush on a little water before kneading. If you over-wet the clay, dab it drier with lint-free cloth before kneading.

To store the remainder: rewrap it in cling film, put it back in the foil packet, seal it with tape, and keep it with a small piece of just-damp tissue or cloth in an airtight container, away from heat or direct sunlight. It's better to use a small container as there's less air inside. Don't keep it in a fridge.

The tools and techniques used to work with gold clay are the same as those for silver clay. To refresh your knowledge, go to start using the link below the menu bar, then art clay, then silver clay.

There are four ways to fire gold clay: in a kiln, on your kitchen gas hob, on a gamping gaz ring, or with a butane gas torch. The first is controlled by the kiln programmer. The others need your full attention, so that you don't underfire it and break it, or overfire it and melt it.
Although you could experiment, it's unlikely that your kitchen gas hob, gamping gaz ring, or butane gas torch will get hot enough.

The simplest and most reliable way to fire gold clay is in a kiln programmed from cool to 990°C, then held for 60 minutes. However, most metal clay artists recommend that you use the highest possible temperature and time combination, for maximum strength.

As it's fired, the binder vapourises and the metal powder sinters, leaving gold which can be hallmarked as 22 carat gold: 91.7% gold and 8.3% silver, and real metal, not something that just looks like metal. The chemical symbol for gold is Au, an abbreviation for the Latin aurum.
There's an important difference between sintering and fusing. During sintering, metal powders bond to produce solid metal, but they don't melt. During fusing, metals melt and lose their shape. Gold powder sinters at 990°C, but melts at 1063°C so, if you experiment, keep below about 1000°C.
The binder is an organic cellulose derivative, made from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. As it burns away, it releases small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water vapour: so it's safe to use at home.

During firing, all metal clays shrink as the binder vaporises. Aida says that Art Clay silver only shrinks by about 15% in volume, less than other brands.

To learn more about firing, look at the start page, then tools, then firing, and read the instructions that come in the Art Clay packet.

Cherry Heaven Limited, 14 West Street, Corfe Castle, BH20 5HD, Dorset, England.

Cherry Heaven is a shop in Corfe Castle village, in Dorset, South-West England. The surrounding countryside includes green farmland, dramatic cliffs, pretty cottages, historic buildings, sandy beaches, protected coves, open heathland, hill-top panoramic views, and peaceful villages. And lively seaside resorts. To look at some photos, use the dorset link.

Cherry Heaven is an EU distributor for US-made Paragon Kilns, and has been commended for an outstanding performance as one of Paragon's top-selling distributors over 2007 to : a pleasing outcome since the UK is only one third the area of Texas and one fortieth the area of the US.

Paragon Industries Incorporated, 2011 South Town East Boulevard, Mesquite, Texas, 75149-1122, USA.

Paragon Industries started as a family business in 1948. It's now the world's leading manufacturer of electric kilns and furnaces, and has built over 420,000. The 4,800 square metre site, in Mesquite, Texas, USA, has over 70 full-time staff.

During manufacture, every kiln is checked at every stage by a technician and signed-off before shipping. They're simply but robustly engineered, and you're buying a comprehensive, versatile, safe, low-cost kiln: a kiln with a future.

Paragon kilns conform to the demanding UL 499 standard in the US, and are CE Marked for the EU. Paragon is Greek for Model Of Perfection.

The Kitiki Studio's Classes And Courses.

The Kitiki Studio provides a comprehensive Art Clay educational programme, as classes, masterclasses, workshops, and Art Clay Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses. If you're interested, mail or call.

On-Line Shopping At Cherry Heaven.

The on-line shop link is below the menu bar near the top of the page, on the right: you won't have to create an account, register, log on, look up your membership number, remember a password, sign up, join a club, or agree to be emailed. And the total won't be more than you expected because VAT and UK-mainland delivery are included.

Discounts, Trade Prices, And Business Opportunities.