What is pewter?  Pewter is an alloy metal which, in essence, means that it is a mixture of natural materials that together form a new material.  Combining percentages of tin, copper and antimony makes pewter, engineered to melt and solidify in a way that is different from the way the pure metals do.

Caring for pewter.  Over a period of time, pewter's color may darken.  This should not be considered a flaw in the piece because this is a natural process.  When cleaning pewter, it is best to use a product especially made for cleaning soft metals, such as a jewelry cleaner, or, a solution of warm soapy water.  If a pewter piece has lost it's luster, simply buffing with a soft cloth or using a mild buffing compound should bring back it's shine.  If the pewter piece has a satin finish, lightly using very fine steel wool will also bring back the piece's luster.  Pewter products should not be exposed to extreme heat, and it is not advisable to put pewter items in a dishwasher as it may speed the darkening process of the alloy.