WHAT IS PRECIOUS METAL CLAY?
Precious Metal Clay (PMC) was developed in the early 1990s in Japan by metallurgist Dr. A. Morikawa and further developed by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi.
The material consists of extremely fine precious metal particles in a water-soluble organic binder, which presents in a clay like substance that can be moulded and manipulated.  The binder burns off completely during firing, leaving fine and precious metal.  Success was first achieved with 22ct gold, and later duplicated with silver.
The silver is reclaimed and recycled from sources such as film stock and negatives, making it an environmentally friendly product.

IS MY PIECE REAL SILVER?
Once fired, PMC Silver is 99.9% pure silver which makes it a finer metal than Sterling Silver.  PMC Silver can be hallmarked (.999), and will assay at 100% pure metal, rather than an alloy as sterling silver (.925). 

WHAT PROCESS IS USED TO TAKE THE FINGERPRINTS?
We will take an impression of your child’s fingerprint into a safe, non-toxic moulding putty.  This is a simple process, and your child’s finger is not in contact with the moulding material for more than 2 or 3 seconds.  If you do not live close to us, we can send you a moulding kit with simple instructions for you to take an impression, to return to us in our prepaid, addressed envelope.
The imprint is then transferred onto the PMC, along with your chosen personal information eg. name/date.

FINGERPRINTS CAN BE TAKEN FROM WHAT AGE?
Finger print impressions have no age limit.  Even though most babies under six months old do not yet have a clearly defined fingerprint, a tiny finger imprint is as unique and precious!

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY ORDER?
Each Silver Fingerprint item is individually hand-crafted from imprint to final polish, and will take approximately 2 weeks to be completed and returned to you, but if you have a short deadline, it is a possibility that we can get them to you sooner, so please speak to us.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY FINGER PRINT IMPRESSION AFTER THE PIECE IS MADE?
We will store all fingerprint moulds safely for six months.  We use an 'anonymous' storage system that requires no name to be physically attached to the moulds.   By us storing the print, it will enable you to have further products made, if you so wish, within that time period.  After six months they are safely destroyed.  You may request to have your moulds returned to you with your finished products.

HALLMARKING
PMC is of hallmark quality and would be hallmarked .999 (Fine Silver) should items be sent to the Assay Office for hallmarking.
Current legislation states that silver items that weigh less than 7.78 grams need not be hallmarked.  Our standard pieces produced for fingerprints weigh less than this, and therefore hallmarking is not necessary for these items.
If you should require an item to be hallmarked, please be aware that this would add approx. 2 weeks to the delivery date of your finished item, and incur an additional charge.