# Tin and pewter

> Tin is a soft metal with a low melting point; pewter, its most common alloy, casts easily in molds for jewelry and costume pieces.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/tin-pewter/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-13
- Updated: 2026-08-24
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/estano-peltre/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Tin is a soft, silvery-white metal with a very low melting point. Pewter, an alloy made mostly of tin with small amounts of other metals, is the classic material of mold-cast jewelry: medals, pendants, brooches and buttons.

## Properties

- **Pewter composition:** about 90-95% tin with antimony and copper; modern pewter is lead-free.
- **Melting point:** tin melts at about 232 °C; pewter at roughly 170-230 °C.
- **Color:** dull silvery gray that darkens over time.
- **Hardness:** soft: it scratches and bends easily.
- **Density:** about 7.3 g/cm³.

## Uses in jewelry

- Jewelry cast in silicone or vulcanized rubber molds.
- Pendants, brooches, medals and buttons with a medieval or fantasy look.
- Costume-jewelry findings.
- Base for silver or bronze plating.

## Pros and cons

### Advantages

- It melts at low temperature: it can be cast without a jewelry furnace.
- It reproduces fine detail.
- Inexpensive.

### Limitations

- It is soft and not very durable.
- It does not tolerate heat and cannot be soldered with the usual torch.
- Old pewter contained lead: use only lead-free pewter for jewelry.

## Care and cleaning

- Avoid heat and knocks.
- Wipe with a damp soft cloth and dry it.
- To restore shine, use a mild metal polish with little pressure.

> [!NOTE]
> Buy lead-free pewter for any jewelry that will touch the skin.

## See also

- [Bronze](https://www.711grados.com/en/bronze/)
- [Silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/silver/)
- [Casting](https://www.711grados.com/en/casting/)