What is the difference between jesmonite and other materials?

You may have heard about jesmonite and how great it is to use, or perhaps you have never heard of it before and want to compare it to other materials on the market.

 We've put together a small comparison guide below to help you understand how jesmonite differs from other similar materials on the market.

Let's start by understanding what jismonite is…

From building ornate structures to home decor, jesmonite has quickly become the material of choice for artists, craftsmen and makers around the world.

 The two-part system includes a mineral powder and an acrylic resin liquid. They are mixed together and then poured into a mold.

 Jesmonite is one of the more environmentally conscious options when it comes to resins and epoxies as it contains no solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The end result is a finished piece that looks like smooth stone.

Lightweight, durable and customisable with embossing, pigments, metallic effects and techniques such as terrazzo, Jesmonite AC100 and AC300 creations are typically ready to be removed from the mould in just 15-30 minutes, making the casting process quick and fun!

The difference between jesmonite and epoxy resin

Much like gesmonite, epoxy resin has grown in popularity over the past few years in the world and Palestine .

The positive side of resin is that it gives a more transparent effect than jesmonite. You can add colors to resin in the form of pigments and mica powder and create transparent and shiny pieces.

While working with jesmonite does not produce transparent pieces, but rather colored according to your choice (the basic color of jesmonite is white).

 The downside to resin is that it can take up to 24 hours to cure compared to Jesmonite AC100 and AC300 which take 15-30 minutes to fully cure.

 This makes the working time with resin much longer than with jesmonite and is something to consider if you plan to sell ready-made pieces (parts, coasters, etc.).

Another consideration in comparison is jesmonite environmentally friendly formulation, as all of its products are solvent-free and contain no VOCs, making it the environmentally friendly choice.

The difference between jismonite and cement

Think of jesmonite as cement but more creative.

However, when we think of cement, we probably think of gray pavement or a crumbling road. Of course you can be creative with cement, but jesmonite is much easier to work with and much better at achieving vibrant cuts and colors that you can't achieve with cement, and jesmonite AC100 (for creative artwork) is a strong, lightweight, silicone mold-friendly product compared to cement.

The cement was manufactured for external works that will bear high weights when used, and we liken it to jesmonite AC730. Even in this comparison, the AC730 product is lighter in weight, waterproof, and does not deteriorate over time like cement.

Even using quick-drying cement, the hardening time of the cement is still 24 hours. It is much longer 15-30 minutes compared to AC100 and AC300.

Jesmonite is also easier for grinding and sanding, unlike cement of various types.

Cement is not ideal if you are impatient like us, and are looking for stunning pieces!

The difference between jesmonite, Turkish powder, and gypsum

Gypsum and Turkish powder are the closest alternatives to Jesmonite AC100, AC200 and AC300 as each of these systems is based on gypsum like Jesmonite and they take a little longer to set taking 40 to 55 minutes to set.

But unlike jesmonite, gypsum and Turkish powder are very brittle and can crack easily and the final product is not as strong as jesmonite.

There are also no water-resistant types of gypsum, while jesmonite comes with water-resistant and outdoor-resistant options to give you a wider range of casting options such as outdoor plant pots, plates, coasters, dispensers, and more.

Conclusion

The best and most effective materials for use in artistic and handmade works are jesmonite and epoxy resin, as the resin is more effective for transparent works, and jesmonite is more effective for colored works, terrazzo techniques, and works that we want to complete as quickly as possible.

We hope we've helped shed some light on how Jesmonite compares to other materials you may have seen or heard about, but if you have any other questions, leave them in the comments below.