As a rough guide: 5 grams makes a small pendant or a pair of stud earrings, 7 grams makes a simple ring, 10 grams makes a wide ring or a statement pendant, and 20 grams covers several pieces. The tables below are more precise.
Remember that the weight on the packet is wet clay. After firing the piece weighs roughly 10 percent less, because the water and binder burn away. Part of our silver clay knowledge base. Last updated 27 August 2026.
How much silver clay does a ring take?
A plain band ring in a common size takes 6 to 9 grams. Width and thickness matter far more than ring size.
| Ring style | Width | Thickness | Clay needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine stacking band | 2 mm | 1.5 mm | 4 to 5 g |
| Simple everyday band | 3 mm | 1.5 mm | 6 to 7 g |
| Wider band | 5 mm | 1.5 mm | 9 to 11 g |
| Chunky band | 6 mm | 2 mm | 13 to 15 g |
| Signet with a flat top | varies | 2 mm | 12 to 16 g |
Add roughly 0.4 g for each US size above 8, and take off the same below size 5. Rings should never be thinner than 1.5 mm after firing or they will bend in wear.
How much for pendants, earrings and charms?
| Piece | Typical size | Clay needed |
|---|---|---|
| Small charm | 10 mm | 1.5 to 2 g |
| Stud earrings, pair | 8 mm each | 2 to 3 g |
| Drop earrings, pair | 15 mm each | 4 to 6 g |
| Small pendant | 15 mm | 3 to 4 g |
| Medium pendant | 20 mm | 5 to 7 g |
| Statement pendant | 30 mm | 10 to 14 g |
| Fingerprint or paw print disc | 18 mm | 4 to 5 g |
| Bag charm or keyring tag | 25 mm | 7 to 9 g |
All of these assume about 1.5 mm thickness, which is the practical minimum for something that will be worn.
How do I work it out for my own design?
Multiply length by width by thickness in centimetres, then multiply by 6. That gives the wet clay weight in grams, near enough for planning.
Example: a pendant 2 cm by 2 cm by 0.15 cm is 0.6 cubic centimetres. Times 6 is 3.6 grams.
For a ring, the length is the inside circumference. Measure it with a piece of string, add twice the thickness, and use that as the length.
Always add a little extra
Buy about 20 percent more than the calculation says. Some clay stays on your fingers, on the roller and on the work surface, and you will want spare for the paste that fills a crack. Offcuts are never wasted: dry them, grind them and rehydrate them, or turn them into paste.
What about shrinkage?
Fine silver clay shrinks 8 to 10 percent in every direction. That does not change how much clay you need, but it changes the size you build at.
Build rings about two US sizes larger than the finished size. For flat pieces, add about 1 mm for every 10 mm of length. Full detail in shrinkage explained.
Which pack size should I buy?
| Pack | Roughly makes | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 g | One pendant or one pair of studs | Trying it out, a single gift |
| 7 g | One ring | The classic first project |
| 10 g | One wide ring, or two small pendants | A weekend of making |
| 20 g | Three to four pieces | Regular makers |
| 50 g | Eight to ten pieces | Teaching, markets, selling |
Browse silver clay by pack size, or start with the starter kit which includes clay and every tool mentioned here.
