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Pewter

pew·​ter | ˈpyü-tər

noun

A term for items described and marked as if they contain at least 90% tin

Pewter is a highly malleable alloy of tin, copper, and antimony. It is generally defined as containing at least 90% tin, but some pewter materials have as little as 85% tin. Antimony makes up 5-10%, copper 2% and some small amounts of bismuth and silver are also sometimes included. Older pewter may also contain lead, which can provide a bluish tint to the alloy. Pewter was initially used in the Bronze Age and found artifacts date back as far as 1450 BC, though, it is believed it was used earlier than this. Commonly used for dishes, vases, and decorations, pewter has also been used in some forms of small hand-carried items.

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