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Pewter Information
Pewter is an alloy of tin, copper and antimony. Tin is the fourth most precious metal following platinum, gold and silver. And just like platinum, gold and silver, tin is a soft metal. Copper and antimony are added for strength. The percentage of tin varies, but most fine pewter contains at least 92 % tin. The two German companies that i buy from, Zinn-Becker and SKS/Artina are both at 95%. The higher tin content gives the product a more silvery look. Today's pewter is completely safe to eat and drink from. It contains no lead. This is dictated by law.
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Acidic foods can stain or pit pewter. Wash each item after use.
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Do not put pewter in the oven or near open flames. Pewter can melt at only 450 degrees. And of course never in a microwave oven.
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Do not put pewter in the dishwasher. Always wash by hand.
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If you have items that are a combination of pewter and glass, wash them in warm water, not hot. Pewter and glass expand and contract at different rates.
Pewter does not tarnish like silver. It does not have to be cleaned often. Put a small amount of cleaner on a soft cloth and use a circular motion to clean. The cloth will turn black very quickly. You are actually removing a layer of pewter. We sell a pewter cleaner called Mish. The Smithsonian and many other museums have used Mish silver and pewter cleaners for decades.
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