Something New Under the Sun?

Rachel Kranzberg Miller claims that she has discovered a revolutionary fine silver material called Precious Metal Clay or PMC.  Is this possible? Is this accurate? She is a metal artist who was named a finalist for the Niche Award, a national honor celebrating excellence and innovation in
American and Canadian fine crafts. The Mizel Jewish Museum in Denver, Colorado, showcases her brownstone Silver Mezuzah as part of their permanent collection.

Metal clay is a crafting medium consisting of very tiny particles of metal such as silver, gold, bronze, or copper mixed with an organic binder and water.  It is used for making jewelry, beads, and small sculptures.  After shaping the desired, soft, clay-like object by hand or using molds, it dries and can be fired in a kiln, with a handheld gas torch, or even on a gas stove.  When the binder burns away, the metal remains. (albeit with some shrinkage).

On the record, it seems that precious metal clay was developed in the 1990’s by metallurgist Masaki Morikawa of Japan.  It allowed craft jewelry makers to create sophisticated, high end looking jewelry without having to spend the years of study needed to learn the particulars of the craft.

Well, I ask you, can lightning strike twice?