How to Make Antique Jewelry With Polymer Clay

Polymer clay can replicate the look of many gems, such as pearls.

Antique jewelry is useful for costumes, adding a vintage look to an everyday outfit or adding period-accurate accessories for a vintage outfit. However, attractive antique jewelry that is completely intact can be difficult to find or can be quite expensive. You can replicate antique jewelry with polymer clay, that can replicate the appearance of both metals and gems when used with different powders and waxes.

Things You'll Need

• Pictures of antique jewelry
• Polymer clay
• Clay tools
• Jewelry findings
• Wire
• Jewelry pliers
• Metallic powder or wax
• Glass or plastic gems
• Clear acrylic sealer

Instructions

1. Draw plans for your jewelry or find an image of jewelry that you want to replicate. Using images ensures that the replicated jewelry resembles pieces from a specific time period.

2. Work the clay in your hands, softening it. Use a black, dark grey, green or brown clay. When you apply metallic powders over the top, this will make the jewelry seem old or tarnished. Use your hands and the tools to form any portions of the jewelry that you want to resemble metal.

3. Add findings or wires to the clay. For instance, if you want to turn a piece into an earring, push a loop of wire into the clay and smooth the clay around the base of the wire. The wire will become trapped in the clay when you bake it, allowing you to attach an earring wire later. You can use the same method to make parts for bracelets or necklaces.

4. Brush on silver, bronze or copper-colored powders or use your fingers to smear a rub-on metallic wax over the top of the piece. Do not push color into cracks unless you want the piece to appear tarnished.

5. Make any gems that the jewelry requires. Polymer clay is best suited to making opaque cabochons, such as lapis lazuli or pearls which are easily formed from pearly clay or clay dusted with metallic powder. Press the gems into the metallic clay piece. If you want cut gems or clear gems, use glass or hard plastic gems instead of polymer clay. Be careful; plastics may melt in your oven.

6. Bake the clay according to the instructions on the package, then wait for it to cool completely. You may want to spray your piece with a clear acrylic sealer to prevent the powder or wax from rubbing off.

7. Add any necessary chains, cords or other findings to complete the jewelry.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of using powder or wax, try coating the unbaked clay with metallic leaf. This method is slightly more difficult than powders but creates a more genuine and realistic look. If left unsealed it will also tarnish like a solid metal piece.

References

• Jewelry and Polymer Clay Tutorial Heaven: Mica Powder And Other Inclusions You Can Use With Polymer Clay
• Jewelry and Polymer Clay Tutorial Heaven: Paint, Ink And Wax. Can They Be Used With Polymer Clay?