Pure tin is a metal of attractive silvery appearance, rather soft compared with many other metals. It is non-toxic, resistant to corrosion and has a low melting point. Tin is a relatively valuable metal, considerably more costly then copper, aluminium, lead or zinc. Pewter is an alloy that is made almost entirely from tin. Modern pewter contains about 92 percent tin to which other metals, usually antimony and copper have been added to strengthen and harden it, as pure tin is a very soft metal.
Modern pewter is lead-free pewter.
Among metals, it is perhaps the easiest to work with for craft use as it does not work harden. The surface can be bright like silver, or chemically darkened to resemble the finish or patina of old pewter. Surface decoration techniques include engraving, etching and embossing. The starting material for pewter plates is sheet pewter. Quite simple tools can be used to cut, bend, shape and decorate pewter sheet, or it can be worked by spinning on a lathe.