Do-it-yourself and jewelry making novices take note: now you can make pieces just like the pros. Mitsubishi Materials Corp. of Japan has invented Precious Metal Clay, patented worldwide, that can be squeezed, pounded, rolled or otherwise squashed into shape, then fired in a kiln. After three hours or so, out comes a piece of jewelry made of gold, platinum or silver. The clay is also available in sheets, thicker than paper but thinner than mat board, that can be folded like origami paper.

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If this were an exercise in free association and you were asked to repeat what comes to mind when you hear the term “filigree,” chances are you’d think of the word “wire”-along with the accompanying mental image of a metalsmith twirling vermicelli-like strands of gold into open, airy designs. (more…)