Pewter is an attractive metal which has been used for the production of household and other items in Britain since Roman times. It is an alloy consisting mostly of tin which has been mixed with small amounts of other metals such as copper, lead or antimony to harden it and make it more durable.

Pewters containing lead are no longer used in items that will come in contact with the human body (such as cups, plates, or jewellery) due to the toxicity of lead. Modern pewters are available that are completely free of lead, although many pewters containing lead are still being produced for other purposes.

Most pewter jewellery and other products are valued for their beauty, craftmanship, workmanship and as examples of good design - more than for the cost of the metal. As pewter is rather soft, it allows craftsmen to create distinctive and complex designs. Pewter pieces are often quite admired for their artistic merit and craftsmanship