What Is Lead-Free Pewter? | Glover & Smith
What Is Pewter?
Pewter is a malleable metal alloy that has been used in the home for around 3,000 years. It is traditionally composed of 85–99% tin, mixed with copper, antimony, and bismuth. Copper and other metals are added to act as hardeners. Pewter has a low melting point of around 247–290°C (477–554°F) depending on the exact mixture.
What Is Lead-Free Pewter?
The pewter we use is specially made to our specification and is of the highest quality — comprising 95% tin, 0.5% copper and 4.5% antimony. It is certified lead and nickel-free, making it completely non-toxic, food-friendly, and safe for sensitive skin. There is no need to worry about allergies when wearing our pewter jewellery.
Our 95% tin pewter is more expensive than others, but it shows in the quality of the end result. Lesser quality pewter can be prone to shrinkage when cast and can show a yellow tint.
Our 95% tin pewter is the fourth most expensive metal in common use, after platinum, gold and silver.
What Is English Pewter?
The term "pewter" covers a range of tin-based alloys, but English Pewter represents a strictly controlled and specific metal alloy, specified by BSEN611-1 and British Standard 5140. The metal we use strictly complies with these specifications. English pewter is guaranteed free of lead and nickel.
The Worshipful Company of Pewterers
Livery companies evolved from London's old medieval guilds, becoming corporations under Royal Charter responsible for training in their respective trades. The Worshipful Company of Pewterers is one of the older Livery Companies in the City of London, ranking number sixteen in the order of civic precedence among over a hundred other companies. Ed Glover has been a Freeman of The Company since 2013.
In the 15th century, King Edward IV granted the first charter (1474), giving the Company the right to be self-governing, to hold property and goods in perpetuity, and to govern the trade throughout the whole kingdom.
The original company had three grades of purity for pewter. The first, known as fine metal, was used for tableware. The second, known as trifling metal or trifle, was used for hollow-ware. The last, known as lay or ley metal, contained the most lead and was used for items not in contact with food or drink. These three alloys were used, with little variation, until the 20th century.
Older pewters with higher lead content are heavier, tarnish faster, and oxidation gives them a darker silver-grey colour. Lead was removed from the composition in 1974 by BS5140, reinforced by the European directive BSEN611 in 1994.
Is Pewter Sustainable?
Tin is a plentiful, non-toxic resource and tin mining has little or no impact on the environment. Lead-free pewter does not need polishing like silver, and it does not go grey like old pewter (that discolouration was caused by the lead content). Lead-free pewter is the favourite metal of the World Wildlife Fund.
How to Clean Pewter
With a minimum of care your pewter will retain its shiny patina. Simply wipe with warm soapy water — there is no need for abrasive cleaners or polishes. We do not recommend dishwasher cleaning. In bathrooms, our light pulls will never rust.
Lead-free pewter can oxidise over time. If needed, try the following:
- Make a paste with 1 tsp salt, 1 cup white vinegar and ½ cup flour
- Apply to the pewter for up to an hour
- Rinse and dry with a soft cloth
For more information, visit The Worshipful Company of Pewterers.
Our Credentials
Glover and Smith are members of The Association of British Pewter Craftsmen and most of our designs carry the quality marks of the Association. Ed Glover is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers.
We have designed and made products for Prince Charles' Highgrove Estate, The National Trust, The National Gallery, The British Museum, The National Trust of Scotland, The National Galleries and Museums of Scotland and Wales. We have also designed work for Salisbury, Ely, Canterbury and Exeter Cathedrals and Bath Abbey.
Pewter Jewellery
Because our pewter is certified nickel-free, it is safe for sensitive skin. For guidance on our pewter and sterling silver jewellery, including chain lengths, see our Pewter & Sterling Silver Jewellery Guide.
Pewter as a 10th Anniversary Gift
The traditional tenth wedding anniversary gift material is tin. As our pewter is 95% tin, all our designs make ideal 10th Wedding Anniversary gifts.
Explore Our Handmade Pewter Gifts
All Glover & Smith pieces are made from certified lead-free English pewter — 95% tin, nickel-free, and food safe. Handmade in Salisbury, Wiltshire since 1994.
Shop All Pewter Gifts → | 10th Anniversary Tin Gifts → | Personalised Pewter →
About the author: Ed Glover is a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Pewterers and has been making pewter since 1994. Every piece at Glover and Smith is made by hand in Wiltshire using traditional techniques passed down through generations of British craftspeople.