Pewter or not pewter?

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

Trying to keep costs down I went in search of an alternative to sterling for chunky designs. Thought I'd finally sussed it whe I found a supply of pewter beads, caps, tubes etc. They are described as pewter and no suggestion at all that they might be plated, coated or pewter look

Excitedely made some stuff up and stood back to admire but didnt ever list or bring to any fairs, just a nagging something...I realised I wouldnt be able to answer if asked about lead content. Decided I'd wait till I spoke to the supplier but being the impatient type over christmeas I put one of eack item into my tumbler (the old one with the old steel shot) and I have tumbled the *** out of it.

Went back to examine, water very dirty but my pewter items have gone a decidedly copper colour, tried sanding a genuine pewter item and that stays the same colour. The took the blowtorch to one untumbled piece, if it was pewter wouldnt it melt? Instead I stopped because the fumes were like I was burning epoxy (oh yes done that before so know what it smells like!)

So, is there any chance at all it can be pewter given all that evidence? The supplier is not very good on customer service and I dont want to annoy them if I'm wrong, on the other hand I'm that annoyed I want to call trading standards.

Any advice on how to handle?

Hx

[awrylemming]

I think I'd go ahead and call trading standards.  They must have some expertise in this are, certainly they can access it.  I recently sent a couple of beads of to them for testing before they take any action, so that's probably the stance they'd take on this, especially if there is a possibility that there could be something dangerous incorporated.  It may be that the supplier doesn't know, but generally I think they have a pretty good idea from the price they pay.

[mizgeorge]

I'd contact the supplier first, and give them a chance to tell you exactly what they're made of. If they still claim they're pewter, then it might be worth having them tested properly.

Pewter does contain copper, but I can't remember the proportions of tin, copper and antimony (or lead) offhand.

I find fine silver dipped greek ceramics a good alternative for heavier designs where the cost of sterling becomes prohibitive (or where hallmarking is not an easy option).

[Emerald]

Pewter has a high content of tin and tin is very soft I would have thought once you set your torch on it it would have melted probably having a lower melting point than silver, it could possiblly be pewter with an inner core of resin these would be quite light compared to what you know is pewter but as George says ask your suppliers first . There are a lot of bead shops popping up who don't seem to have a clue what they are importing!

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

the supplier is one I have used for many years so I'm thinking they really should know their stuff. I have not named them as I believe many here will know them and I might be very wrong.

George - like the suggestion and will look up some suppliers unless you can direct me to some reputable ones?

I find fine silver dipped greek ceramics a good alternative for heavier designs where the cost of sterling becomes prohibitive (or where hallmarking is not an easy option).

I will contact them tomorrow although previous dissatisfaction has resulted in a 'go elsewhere then' attitude but will give them the benefit of doubt

Thank you all for your help

Hx

[mizgeorge]

try http://beadsite.co.uk/en/ - Hilary is a member here too.

[misspixie]

From memory, Pewter should be at least 85% tin, with the other 15% being copper and antimony - however, having worked with a lot of pewter while at uni (both new and old pewters), I've never had any turn copper coloured. In my experience, it's always been shades of grey, either silvery metallic when highly polished, or a dull grey (sometimes with a blue tint) when dirty. It should very definitely melt with a blow torch (anything over 180C will melt pewter with ease).

Hope you get it all sorted out!

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

From memory, Pewter should be at least 85% tin, with the other 15% being copper and antimony - however, having worked with a lot of pewter while at uni (both new and old pewters), I've never had any turn copper coloured. In my experience, it's always been shades of grey, either silvery metallic when highly polished, or a dull grey (sometimes with a blue tint) when dirty. It should very definitely melt with a blow torch (anything over 180C will melt pewter with ease).

Hope you get it all sorted out!

So, its definitely not pewter really! I will contact with confidence, just last time I had cause to complain about quality they emailled back the single word SORRY in capitals, when I asked about a refund they made it difficult and akward.

It reacts isn the same way as their cheap 'pandora style' beads which also show copper very quickly

Funny thing is I'd rather they were copper with no coating least I'd know it will tarnish or I can patinate but wont bother buying to remove the plating!

try http://beadsite.co.uk/en/ - Hilary is a member here too.

Gonna have a look straight away

Thanks all
Hx