Not all pewter is created equally. Pewter is an alloy of three metals: tin, copper and antimony--a flaky blueish-white metal. For pewter to be called "pewter" it must contain at least 92% tin. Pewter is considered a semi-precious metal due to its tin content. Did you know that tin is the fourth most expensive metal next to platinum, gold and sterling silver? It's true, and this is why you should demand high tin content in the pewter that you buy--whether it is a figurine or a pewter ice bucket.
Higher qualities of pewter alloy like the alloy Match Pewter uses is 95% tin. The higher the tin content, the higher the quality of pewter and more handsome the appearance of the pewter. A higher tin content produces a beautiful luster and superb finish. While the best pewter has a high tin content, you need to be assured that the tin used is of the highest quality, also. Stick with manufacturers who are up front about this. Sure, they will probably sell more expensive pewter, but you know that you are getting an heirloom-quality piece. Many label their product as pewter and use a number of white metals like aluminum to give their product the pewter look, but what they make is not pewter.
When we went looking for a line of pewter for the kitchen, table and home we had to educate ourselves on who makes the best and safest pewter. We found Match Pewter to be the company who is forthright with their pewter alloy recipe, has the best Italian pewtersmiths making the product and arguably has the finest pewter designs in the marketplace. All Match Pewter is FDA approved, lead-free and 100% food safe. Match Pewter founder David Reiss, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, is committed to making the highest quality pewter bowls, chargers, vases, centerpieces, flatware, stemware and tableware. To do this, he contracts the the best pewtersmiths in northern Italy who use age-old techniques to make Match's pewter.
If you already have a piece of Match Pewter or are interested in purchasing a Match Pewter piece you will notice that there are stamps on it. A stamp that will always be present is the "95" stamp denoting the content of tin in the piece. You might also have an "M" stamp present, which stands for Match. There may be up to two more that indicate in what region in northern Italy your piece was made and the workshop where it was made. All pieces will have at least two imprimaturs or hallmarks on them. Some pieces are classic designs with historical references. These pieces are cast directly from molds made from original antiques. When you see symbols and initials on the front of some Match Pewter pieces they have been picked up from these molds.
Just a quick note about Match Pewter flatware. Match has created beautiful flatware using pewter for the handles. All food surfaces are made of high quality 18/10 stainless steel. The knife blades are actually forged with the handles creating a very solid knife; the blades are not simply stuck into a pewter handle.
Pewter requires little in the way of care, but it can discolor if you leave something acidic in it. If your pewter does discolor it can be cleaned up easily with a good metal polish or "0000" steel wool. Caring for and cleaning pewter is not as hard as some might lead you to believe.
Match Pewter creates an entire line of pewter for the desk, kitchen, bathroom and bar. They offer pewter picture frames, vases and centerpieces, candlesticks, candelabras and lamps, pewter chargers and platters and bowls.
Wow I did not know that about pewter or tin. I would have never thought that tin would be mentioned with the likes of platinum, gold and sterling silver. Great read!
Posted by: gatorteen | July 21, 2010 at 06:11 AM
I have always loved pewter, I lost a dozen chargers in a move. it broke my heart and have been looking for pieces at the thrifts ever since.
thank your for sharing .
Posted by: Italian Lover | May 11, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Always the best blog and wonderful collections.
Posted by: Jerry | March 16, 2010 at 02:50 AM