Pewter Beads

Pewter beads are basically metal beads made of the metal alloy called pewter. There are many formulations for making pewter beads and all of them have a high tin content ranging between 85 to 96 per cent. The precise composition of pewter beads varies, since each casting foundry and shop uses its own proprietary formula for making pewter. Before knowing about the popular types of pewter beads, its finishes and uses, it is desirable to know about pewter- the base material for making pewter beads- for better understanding.

What is Pewter?

Pewter is one of the many alloys of tin having small amounts of other metals too. It is a malleable metal alloy with about 85-99% tin and the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and lead. Lead is common in lower grades of pewter having bluish tint. Copper and antimony act as hardeners. Three major types of pewter were used till recently. These were- Fine Metal Pewter; Trifling Metal Pewter or Trifle; and Lay or Ley Metal Pewter. Fine metal consisting of tin and about 1% copper was used for flatware. Trifling Metal with about 4% lead was used for holloware. Lay Metal was used for items which did not come in contact with food or drink because it consisted of tin with 15% lead (lead is considered harmful for health.) Modern age pewters mostly contain at least 90% tin and are alloyed with copper, antimony, or bismuth. Lead is no longer permitted to be an alloying element for making pewter. This is perhaps the reason why even lead free pewter beads can be found easily these days. The older pewters with high lead content are heavier, tarnish faster, and have darker silver-grey color due to oxidation.

Pewter Beads Types- Designs and Shapes

Pewter Spacer Beads

which has a low melting point, pewter beads can be cast and manipulated into interesting shapes for various jewelry making purposes. They are malleable and carve easily allowing a beads craftsmen to decorate beads as much as they can. So, one can find pewter round beads, square, rectangular, heart shape, as well as faceted beads. Some of the popular pewter beads designs can be listed as follows:

Pewter Round Flower Beads
Pewter Bow
Pewter Small Round Celtic Disks
Pewter Small Celtic Diamond Disks
Pewter Beaded Edge Square
Pewter Skull Beads
Pewter Alphabet Beads
Pewter Small Round Spiral Disks
Pewter Small Celtic Heart Disks
Large Hole Pewter Beads
Pewter Blank Cube Beads
Pewter Spacer Beads

For all types of pewter beads, charms, necklaces and other pewter jewelry, go to the directory of Pewter Beads Manufacturers and Exporters. If you find pewter beads products of your matching requirements then send us the your query regarding wholesale pewter beads and other pewter supplies by filling up this simple enquiry form.

Pewter Beads Finishes

Antique Gold Plated
Pewter Bead

The cast pewter is carefully hand finished to ensure quality and to show the detail in each piece. Pewter beads come with a silver-gray finish and may be lacquered to prevent tarnishing. Antique pewter is the result of discreet hand-brushing in vertical direction. It brings about a dark, dull gray color, with a greenish undertone. Most of the present day pewter beads wholesale manufacturers make all the cast beads from lead free pewter and then plate them with gold, silver, copper or other such metals or finishes.

Pewter beads can be given many types of finishes. They can be polished to a high silver sheen or chemically darkened for a blacker metal look. Darker appearance of pewter beads seems to be more popular. One of the reason for this may be that people looking for silver finish beads can always choose sterling silver beads. Dark colored pewter beads look quite distinctive and are extensively used for jewelry making. Pewter beads may tarnish to a dull Grey color but like silver, these beads can be easily cleaned. Many people even like the natural metal look of these beads and prefer to buy unplated pewter beads. Following pewter beads finishes are most popular among the bead craft lovers and jewelry makers.

Antique Gold Plated Pewter Beads- While gold plated beads are brightly shining yellow gold pewter beads, the crevices of gold plated pewter beads or charm are darkened to give them an antique appearance.
Antique Rhodium Plated Pewter Beads- The crevices of rhodium plated pewter beads are also darkened to give them an antique appearance.
Antique Copper Plated Pewter Beads- These pewter beads are given the color of copper metal and have an antiqued look.
Antique Silver Plated Pewter Beads- Silver plated pewter beads are give bright silver sheen whereas the crevices of the silver plated antique beads are darkened to give them an antique appearance.

Uses of Pewter Beads

Merry Christmas
Pewter Charm

Pewter beads usage is mainly related to making jewelry trinkets. Other than jewelry, pewter usage can be seen in making embellishments for fringes, curtains, throws etc. From among the pewter beads jewelry, pewter beads and charms are the most popular pewter beads jewelry. Pewter pendants and pewter necklaces are also popular among jewelry lovers. In fact, pewter spacer beads and pewter charms are used extensively for making other types of jewelry too.