Pewter Jewelry Pros and cons

Pewter jewelry is a type of jewelry that is made from an alloy of tin and other metals.

It is a popular choice for those who want a more affordable alternative to white metals like sterling silver, argentium silver or white gold.

Pewter jewelry is a popular jewelry metal that both buyers and producers like.

Beside its rhodium-plated like shine at an affordable price, it is also easy to work with. This latter property of pewter lowers barriers to manipulate and create beautiful designs with increasing output capacity.

While pewter jewelry has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider before making a purchase.

In this post, we shared the most important points to help you make the best decision!

What is pewter?

Pewter is a metal alloy that is made mostly of tin.

It may have from 85 to 99% tin in its mix. The remaining small part may come from antimony (about 5-10%), copper, bismuth and silver.

While pewter may have different ingredients and percentages depending on the manufacturers, English pewter is well-defined. It has its own standard BSEN611-1 and British Standard 5140.

This alloy has tin, copper, antimony and copper in its composition. The more important information is what it does not have. English pewter is free of nickel and lead. These are the top allergen metals that may trigger skin allergies. Their absence significantly increases safety. This is a big step towards preventing any sort of unease.

Although the exact percentages vary between manufacturers, a typical standard for present-day pewter is approximately 91% tin, 7.5% antimony and 1.5% copper.

Pewter has a low melting point. It can be as little as 170 degrees Celsius, depending on its mix.

This alloy has been used for centuries to make everything from jewelry to flatware. While forging is a traditional and relatively easy process with this soft metal alloy, today, we use pewter in many places thanks to developed methods for production.

For example, metal spinning is a popular and simple way to produce symmetrical objects like bells, vases or candlesticks. This method involves spinning the metal base at a high speed around a center and giving shape with the help of harder tools. This is an effective technique as it is simple, low cost and fast.

Stamping is another method that uses high pressure to shape pewter and other metal sheets into desired parts and objects in very little time. In this method, the placing of the metal layer is crucial. After correct placement is done, the machine gives the same result every single time. This assures production quality with high confidence.

Pewter is a soft metal, so it is easy to work with and can be molded into any shape. It is also lightweight and very affordable, making it a popular choice for costume jewelry.

Pewter does have some drawbacks, however. Because it is so soft, pewter can easily scratch and dent. It also tarnishes over time, especially when exposed to air and moisture. Yet, this case is unlike the tarnishing of 925 silver. It will reflect that time has passed with a patina-like appearance getting a soft hue.

If you are looking for a piece of jewelry that will last a lifetime with high durability, pewter may not be the best option. Stainless steel pieces or inert metals like rhodium or gold are better choices at this point of concern.

Pros of pewter jewelry

1. Color

Pewter jewelry is a great way to get the silver shine at a bargain.

It gives the look of white metals like rhodium plated white gold, platinum or palladium.

The downside to pewter is that it can tarnish over time. With humidity and chemical agents like deodorant and perfumes, pewter pieces will gather the marks of time.

But, do not think this like the tarnishing of sterling silver. The latter will accumulate a black crust on the surface and lose its shine.

Pewter tends to have a light yellowy tint. Some may prefer this look to brand-new pieces as it shows that that piece has been with them for a long time. This is particularly meaningful in heirlooms like letter openers, thimbles or costume jewelry.

However, if you prefer the initial shine, with a little care, your pewter jewelry will keep its bright white color for years to come.

Pewter jewelry does not rust. Rust is the result of oxidation in iron and its alloys. Pewter is iron-free, thus it is immune from rusting.

2. Hardness and durability

Pewter is also a bit more durable than silver, so it’s fit for everyday wear.

As its composition is not written in stone, it is not possible to give an exact level of hardness. Yet, a pewter alloy should get about 3 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

If you are looking into pewter for making jewelry, it is a fertile material that does not need any torch to heat and shape up. Also, resizing is not an issue with pewter, as expected.

It is not heavy like stainless steel. Its density is about 4.3 grams/cm³, depending on the composition. To give a rough idea, this is less than half of sterling silver’s density.

Check our post on pewter vs stainless steel jewelry for more.

It is very lightweight. This is why carrying pewter pieces is fun and easy.

On the other hand, some may prefer a little more substance on their ears to feel the earrings. At the end, it is a matter of choice.

3. Hypoallergenic property

Not all materials play well with human tissue and metals are not an exception.

There are safe metals that are considered safe and those that can cause metal allergy.

The top two culprits for allergies are nickel and lead.

After the skin gets into contact with such metals, with the passing of a threshold level of absorption, sensitive skin may show reactions.

Symptoms include rashes, blisters, color change and headaches.

To prevent such unease, you should avoid nickel and lead alloys, especially those that include these on the outer layers.

Prefer hypoallergenic metals like rhodium, palladium, gold and platinum. These are hypoallergenic metals that are considered safe for people with sensitive skin.

Although, no one can guarantee zero risk, these are the best options for people with hypersensitivity.

While shopping for pewter jewelry, make sure your pieces are nickel-free and lead-free for peace of mind.

4. Price

Pewter jewelry is more affordable than similar pieces made of precious metals. Welcome, captain Obvious, glad you are here!

Tin is the 49th most abundant metal on our plant. It is mainly extracted from other ores. Tin resources have diverse geographical locations. The largest producers are China, Indonesia, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.

These countries have continuous mining operations which supply industry and jewelry demand with necessary amount of tin, the main component for pewter.

Tin is not used in coins and bullion bars like gold or silver. It is not a precious metal. There is not an investment demand.

Cons of pewter jewelry

1. Not a precious metal

Gold and silver are the prime precious metal. Yet, today platinum and palladium are also considered in these groups.

They are the only 4 metals that are considered precious metals and pewter is not.

This will be reflected in the resale value if you ever consider swapping jewelry for cash.

2. Tarnish

Pewter does not rust or corrode, but it does tarnish.

This is not as severe as in sterling silver, but it shows the age of the pieces.

This does not definitely lead to degrading in looks.

Some may prefer this yellowy color, sometimes getting close to brown as it gives a more antique look with carries history.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pewter jewelry has both pros and cons.

On the upper side, pewter jewelry is very easy to carry as it is lightweight.

It is very affordable and can be found in many styles.

Additionally, pewter jewelry is easy to care for and does not require much cleaning.

However, pewter jewelry pieces are not roses without thorns. They have some downsides to consider as well. For example, pewter is not a precious metal, and it can tarnish over time. Although, you can easily restore its initial shine, it will require some effort from your side.

The moral of the story is that the pros of pewter jewelry clearly outweigh its cons. It is a fresh and easy solution for creating new vibes in your accessories and looks. But, in the end, it will come to your personal preference and your style.

Just a little reminder: make sure your pieces do not have nickel or lead in order to play on the safe side of bling!