| Pewter jewelry has gained in popularity as the | | | | These are all good reasons. I would add to that |
| price of silver jewelry has gone up. They do have | | | | the fact that pewter can be every bit as detailed |
| a slightly similar look at first glance. | | | | as the finest silver jewelry, and when properly |
| Pewter is mostly tin, a soft metal. It is alloyed in | | | | cast and finished, is almost indistinguishable from it. |
| jewelry making and other uses with antimony or | | | | That is, unless you take a really good look. But if |
| bismuth, hard and brittle metals. Earlier pewter | | | | you're just going for the general silvery look, and |
| making used lead as one of the alloys, but | | | | you aren't a jewelry snob, why not own and |
| thankfully this practice is becoming rare, at least in | | | | wear some pewter jewelry too? |
| the USA. | | | | Some people may have a difficult time getting |
| In earlier times pewter utensils were what people | | | | over the upset recently broadcast via newspaper |
| ate with. Plates and mugs in the Middle Ages all | | | | and internet over the pewter containing a high |
| the way up to the 18th and 19th centuries were | | | | lead content that was shipped to us by suppliers |
| primarily pewter, before porcelain came into its | | | | in China. I agree that is something to pay |
| own. I imagine this early pewter was full of lead- | | | | attention to when purchasing pewter jewelry. You |
| but I haven't heard much about difficulties due to | | | | must make sure the pewter comes from a |
| that. | | | | reputable source and was cast lead free. Such |
| Was pewter jewelry made in earlier times? I | | | | jewelry is available, and I would venture to guess |
| believe it was, but due to the softness of the | | | | that most jewelers dealing with pewter jewelry |
| metal, and the ease with which it could be melted | | | | are very careful about the lead content these |
| and put to other uses, not as much of it has | | | | days. Children especially are vulnerable, since they |
| survived. It's possible the Celtic people made their | | | | tend to stick things in their mouths without |
| famous knot designs in pewter. | | | | thinking. |
| But what about modern Pewter jewelry, and | | | | But despite the fact that pewter jewelry has a |
| what would be its advantages over silver? Well, | | | | questionable reputation in some circles, it seems |
| here are a few:o It is less costly than sterling | | | | to have mostly bounced back in popularity. I'm |
| silvero It has less likelihood of tarnishing (especially | | | | glad, because not every one can afford sterling |
| the pewter which is cast lead free)o It has a | | | | silver jewelry, and this can be a wonderful |
| warm, hand crafted look | | | | substitute for many of us. |