Another Jewelry Question....

[cstovin]

Hello,

I just started making some jewelry, and I am really confused as to some information I received from the art guild downtown.  What I asked was:  is there anything I can do (type of clay, firing, etc) to make my pieces stronger.....

 

I am used to slab building, and very new to jewelry; what I was told was to fire my jewelry pieces at a higher cone temp.  The higher the cone temp, the "stronger" and more durable my piece.  Is that true?

 

Meaning, if I am used to firing at cone 04, if I take the same type of clay, say B-Mix and it is capable at firing up to cone 4 - instead of firing my jewelry at cone 04 and fire it at cone 4, will the piece actually be stronger than if I had fired it at cone 04?  If so, why?

 

thank you!

[Wyndham]

if the clay you use is rated for cone 4-6(2150-2232) that means that is the vitrifaction(maturing) temp that makes the clay as hard as possible. If you fire to  04(1900) then all you have done is fired to bisk(half way to maturing) temp for that clay body.

If you have a low temp earthenware clay that matures at 1900(04) that's as high a temperature as that clay can fire without melting.

You might find a good book at your clay supply resource that can explain the differences and reasons for the maturing temp and uses of different clays.

Wyndham

[Chris Campbell]

I think I would concentrate more on firing whatever clay you are using to maturity ... that is the point where it is strongest no matter what cone clay it is. I have pieces that have been raku fired to cone 04, others to 5 and some to 10.

With jewelry, design is a big part of the equation ... no sharp points, no jangling things that bump into other things, no swinging things that hit other things.