Image: MomJunction Design Team
If you love being creative and making unique things, polymer clay is a must-have for you. So, here’s our list of the best polymer clays for jewelry to help you choose the right one. They help you design intricate pieces to pair with your favorite outfits. You don’t need to be an expert at making jewelry to use this versatile modeling clay.
Made from vinyl and plasticizers, polymer clay is flexible and moldable, allowing you to make appealing designs easily. Keep scrolling to learn more about the best-selling options from trusted clay brands and choose according to your needs.
Top Picks
11 Best Polymer Clays For Jewelry In 2024
1. Best Segmented: Staedtler Fimo Professional Modeling Clay
The Staedtler modeling clay pack includes six assorted colors, each weighing 2.99oz. This premium, oven-bake clay is segmented into eight portions for convenience and is a popular choice for arts and crafts, modeling, and jewelry making. The pliable texture of this jewelry clay makes it easy to mold, and it only requires 30 minutes of baking in the oven at 230 °F as per the baking instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Pros
- Easy to mix to create custom colors
- Soft clay to ensure easy handling
- Space-efficient block-style clay shape
- Increases dexterity
- Improves sensory skill
Cons
- May be less smooth than expected
2. Best Multicolor: Van Aken International Kato Polyclay
The Van Aken International Kato Polyclay comes in various artful, vibrant color combinations, offering variety, and is significantly stronger than many other modeling clays. This pack includes four different colored poly clays and weighs four ounces. The quick and easy-to-use polymer clay takes no more than ten minutes of baking to harden and is suitable for various kinds of artistic work, including creating sculptures, ornaments or customized jewelry, and home decor.
Pros
- Versatile usage
- Smooth texture
- Bright colors
- Break-resistant after baking
- Encourages creativity
- Durable and strong
- Comparatively thicker blocks than usual
Cons
- May have an unpleasant smell
- Might have a harder consistency than expected
Trivia3. Best Non-Toxic: Arteza Polymer Clay Kit
The polymer clay kit from the trusted brand Arteza is a premium set consisting of five sculpting tools, clay, and assorted jewelry pieces to make creative accessories. Forty-two pieces of bright and vibrant clay bars can be mixed, matched, and blended to create different polymer clay jewelry designs and shapes. The kit also includes ring holders, key chains, silicone mold, needles, and mobile phones, making it a popular choice among clay enthusiasts. Easy to bake, mold, and sculpt, this pliable and soft clay is non-messy. Safe and non-toxic, the polymer-based jewelry clay kit is suitable for artists and artisans of all age groups. Check out this review video by a tester to learn more about this polymer oven-bake clay.
Pros
- Apt for making souvenirs and decor pieces
- Suitable for beginners and experts
- Can be baked in home oven seamlessly
- Works well for professional use too
- Features bright colors
Cons
- Packages may be smaller than expected
- May not be easy to remove finger marks on clay
- Baking instructions may not be clear for some
"I was thrilled to see that the clay in this set maintain their vibrancy even after being baked. The tools are nice, but I wish they were more detailed and varies. Still, the soft clay has been the perfect find for a beginner like me."
Staedtler Fimo Professional Modeling Clay Best Segmented | Van Aken International Kato Polyclay Best Multicolor | Arteza Polymer Clay Kit Best Non-Toxic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | - | - | 6.69 x 6.3 x 4.41 inches |
| Weight | - | - | 1000 Grams |
| Number of Items | - | - | 42 |
| Material | - | - | Clay |
| Color | - | - | Multicolor |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | - | - | 3,081 |
| Price | $25.75 | $15 | $32.99 |
4. Best Eco-Friendly: Ifergoo Polymer Clay Starter Kit
The safety-tested Ifergoo polymer clay kit is a soft oven-baking modeling dough kit consisting of 50 colored clay blocks of 0.7 oz each and five sculpting tools. It also contains more than thirty jewelry accessories. The non-toxic and eco-friendly polymer oven-bake clay comes in a double-layer storage box to help you organize all your accessories and carry the kit around easily. You can bake your DIY soft clay masterpieces in the oven in minimal time.
Pros
- Soft and easy to mold
- Wide variety–ideal for color mixing projects
- Does not stick to your hands
- Reusable and blendable modeling clay
- Suitable for beginners
- Helps develop creativity and imagination
Cons
- Bars may be smaller than expected
- May have a slightly hard texture
"This soft polymer clay set is a perfect companion during bored times. The storage box is handy and holds a decent collection of tools. I have also relied on this for gifting purposes on quite a few occasions."
Point to consider
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 630 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.
5. Best Non-Sticky: Artme Polymer Clay Kit
The Artme polymer clay set contains 82 0.9oz clay bars in vibrant colors to help your children create several art pieces using their creativity and imagination. The set also includes 19 clay tools and accessories such as bells, beads, earring hooks, hairpin holder, ring holders, key chains, silicone mold, needles, and mobile phone chains. This non-toxic and environmentally friendly polymer-based jewelry clay kit has undergone multiple safety tests and conforms to ASTM and EN 71 safety standards.
Pros
- Non-sticky clay
- Child-safe polymer clay jewelry supplies
- Wide variety, making it ideal for color mixing projects
- Suitable for both beginners and experts
- Can be used to create DIY model animals
- Includes a handy user manual
Cons
- May require adult supervision when baking
- May not be easy to remove finger marks on clay
"Thanks to the 82 shades of clay included in this set, I can easily make different colored jewelry. The clay demands some effort, but its softness has been great for malleability. Plus, the included stencils and molds are much appreciated."
6. Best Skin-Friendly: Quefe Clay Beads
The Quefe polymer clay beads kit includes three boxes with 9,000 clay heishi beads, 250 letter beads, 50 jump rings, ten lobster clasps, ten random pendants, 20 square beads, 20 star beads, one roll of elastic thread, and one roll of crystal thread. These clay beads are made of polymer clay that is skin-friendly. They are perfect for making polymer clay bracelets, necklaces, and other masterpieces that can be worn daily.
Pros
- Heishi beads come in 72 different colors
- Encourages creativity and hands-on learning
- Apt for play dates and family time
- Does not require baking
- Suitable for gifting on any occasion
Cons
- Thickness of beads may be uneven
- May not be easy to reorganize after each play session
"The bracelet-making kit has been an excellent addition to my daughter's collection�she has taken quite an interest in craft lately. It allows her to create multiple designs using polymer clay beads and some add-ons. I wish the quality of the scissors were better, though."
7. Best For Beginners: QMay 50 Colors Polymer Clay Starter Kit
The 50 bright and colorful block unbaked clay kit from QMay is a vibrant, eco-friendly, and non-toxic, with each block weighing 20g. It also includes eight polymer clay tools, an accessory pack, a project booklet, and a rolling pin. The safety-tested jewelry-making polymer clay can either be baked or boiled at a specific temperature to make customized items. Suitable for children, this kit helps build their cognitive skills and creativity.
Pros
- Great for classroom and home use
- Clays in this kit are reusable and blendable
- Can be used to create DIY animal sculptures
- Made with a non-sticky approach
- Individually wrapped clay for easy use
- Complies with ASTM and CE standards
Cons
- May not suit children aged below three years
- Baking may require adult supervision
"Exploring the world of oven-bake polymer clay with this kit has been an interesting experience for my child. The tools make it ideal for creating mini-projects, and the wide range of colors adds charm to the art pieces."
Do remember8. Best For Making Bracelets: Oneetis Polymer Clay Beads
Unleash your child’s creativity with the Oneetis polymer clay beads kit. It contains 4,970 pieces of beads, including 4,400 clay beads in 22 colors, 310 smiley and letter beads, 295 accessories pieces, and four rolls of elastic strings in different colors. These polymer clay beads are made of non-toxic and environment-friendly materials, and the set makes a perfect gift for children. The kit includes almost all tools and accessories required by your kid to apply their artistic skills in making polymer clay necklaces, bracelets, and other items of their choice.
Pros
- Helps create 30-40-piece bracelets
- Encourages creativity
- Improves color perception ability in children
- Does not require baking
- Suitable for school and DIY projects
Cons
- Does not include a storage container
- May require adult supervision
"The variety of colors is quite appealing and excellent for creative jewelry ideas. My children found the small pieces a bit challenging to handle, but it isn't something they can't cope with. For long-lasting results, I'd recommend using bracelet adhesive."
9. Best Lightweight: Hiswan White Polymer Clay Beads
The Hiswan white polymer clay bead set includes 1,000 heishi beads that are lightweight and environmentally-friendly. Your child can use the embellishments, spacer beads, pendants such as shell and starfish, letter beads, and more to match the heishi clay beads and create their customized jewelry pieces by applying various polymer clay jewelry techniques that can be worn at the beach, pool, or bathroom.
Pros
- Suitable for making molded jewelry
- Does not require baking
- Color doesn’t fade
- Available in various different colors
Cons
- Beads may be thinner than expected
10. Best With Accessories: Frabery Polymer Clay 50 Colors
The Frabery polymer clay kit is an odorless pack of fifty color polymer clays, five polymer clay tools for sculpting, an English course, and tons of jewelry accessories. Non-toxic in nature, the set of clay is apt for DIY beginners and easy to store without taking too much space. A popular choice among handicraft gifts, this safety-tested clay kit can enhance a child’s imagination, creativity, and motor skills.
Pros
- Made of food-grade materials
- Sharpens hand-eye coordination
- Helps parents bond with children
- Colorful clay encourages color identification
- Teaches self-confidence and awareness
- Encourages children to observe
- Suitable for gifting for any occasion
- ASTM D, FDA, and CE compliant
Cons
- Colors may fade when in contact with water
- Clay pieces may be smaller than expected
"I love that this clay set bakes to a firm finish while retaining its vibrancy. I have made pretty jewelry and sculptures with my daughter using these, and the set has been great for our mother-daughter time."
11. Best Non-Fading: Ayulrectiy Premium Polymer Clay Beads
The Ayulrectiy premium clay bead set comes with 5200 clay beads in 24 vibrant colors, 800 letter beads, 50 smiley beads, 50 binders, six rolls of five meters elastic cords, a pair of scissors, and more. These beads help children create 80-90-piece bracelets that are lightweight and comfortable to wear. All the polymer clay beads and accessories are neatly placed in two boxes with 24 independent compartments.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Environmentally-friendly
- Color doesn’t fade
- Suitable for gifting on any occasion
Cons
- Might have a slight fragrance
- Does not include instructions
How To Choose The Right Polymer Clay For Jewelry?
Consider these essential factors while buying polymer clay for creating unique jewelry designs.
1. Easy to mold: Look for polymer clay that is neither too rigid nor too squishy. Choose a set of clay that is easy to mold and shape the way you want.
2. Durability: Search for polymer clay that is long-lasting and stays strong after baking or boiling.
3. Storage box: Choose a clay set that comes with a compact bag or storage box. You can conveniently store all your clay cutters, sculpting tools, and clay in the box and carry them wherever required.
4. Non-toxic: A safety-tested polymer clay set that is eco-friendly and free of toxins is suitable for kids and adults.
5. Flexibility: Polymer clay should be flexible in thin areas and not brittle. Brittle clay tends to create fragile jewelry designs that can easily break even with a bit of pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does polymer clay jewelry break easily?
Polymer clay jewelry won’t break easily unless they are properly baked. The under-baked ones may be fragile.
2. Which is the best polymer clay for beginners?
Polymer clay that is non-messy, easy to knead, shape, and bake, and doesn’t dry out quickly when exposed to air is best suited for beginners.
3. Can polymer clay be painted?
Yes, you can paint polymer clay artifacts. Painting them before baking the clay can ensure a better paint-clay bond and coverage.
4. Are polymer clay earrings durable?
Polymer clay is a PVC-based clay, thus making it highly durable. To ensure their durability, choose the clay from a reputable brand, never bake at extremely low temperatures, and be careful while handling freshly baked hot clay, as it is fragile at this stage.
5. What is the strongest polymer clay?
Polymer clay variants made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizer are stronger than their regular counterparts.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We have explored and done in-depth research on several products across the market to compile this list of the best polymer clays for jewelry. Moreover, we have also included a well-researched buying guide to help you buy a polymer clay that meets your needs. The options on this list are made of premium material, offer a durable bond, and are easy to handle.
Making jewelry is a great way to give your creativity and imagination an outlet, and choosing the best polymer clay helps enhance your experience. When you pick a polymer clay that is easy to mold, it helps you incorporate intricate details into your jewelry designs. Therefore, you should choose clay that’s neither too squishy nor too rigid. Since jewelry comes in contact with our skin, it is best to invest in clay made from toxin-free raw materials.
Infographic: How To Use Polymer Clays For Jewelry Properly?
Polymer clay is a versatile and vibrant medium that offers endless creative possibilities for crafting exquisite jewelry that showcase unique colors, textures, and intricate designs. To ensure hassle-free, neater, and more successful jewelry-baking sessions, check out the following infographic, which lists the basic tips for smoother clay jewelry pieces.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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