How to Care for Pewter Jewelry

Pewter jewelry has the sleek look of silver, the soft feel of gold and a personality all its own. Made from a combination of metals and containing a lot of tin, pewter is the go-to choice for inexpensive, quality jewelry. Unlike other metals, pewter doesn’t tarnish but instead oxidizes into a deeper shade. Pewter enthusiasts go head-over-heels for the antiquated look this dark patina provides, but some prefer to keep their jewelry in the condition and shade it originally came with. If you’re low-maintenance, don’t worry: So is pewter. All it takes to keep pewter jewelry looking fabulous is a little bit of time and know-how.

Store your pewter jewelry in a jewelry box. It may look tough, but pewter is a soft metal that’s easily bent, scratched and broken. Proper storage protects it from mishap.

Wrap your jewelry in acid-free non-dyed tissue paper or soft cloth to prevent scratches and nicks. Wrapping the jewelry also helps keep dust from building up and keeps the piece out of direct sunlight – two things that can cause a dark patina, or stain, to build up on the jewelry at a prematurely fast rate.

Keep your pewter jewelry away from heat. Pewter has a low melting point. Store it away from bright, direct sunlight, heaters and stoves.

Remove your pewter jewelry before engaging in heavy-duty activities where it could get broken or scratched.

Avoid handling acidic substances with pewter jewelry on. Acid permanently discolors pewter, so something like accidentally spilling orange juice on your bracelet could ruin it. If your jewelry is exposed to acids, clean it immediately.

Clean your jewelry. If you’ve been sweating during the heat of summer or your jewelry has been sitting in storage for a year or more, it could probably use cleaning. To clean pewter jewelry, rub it down with nonabrasive dish soap and water if it’s got a rough or dark finish. If your pewter is smooth and has a high shine, make a mild paste from salt, vinegar and flour. Use only enough salt, vinegar and flour to get a paste-like consistency. Put the paste on the pewter, allow it to sit for about an hour and rinse. Dry your jewelry thoroughly.

Use an ammonia-based cleaner, such as glass cleaner, to remove soap buildup on your pewter jewelry. Do this every year if your jewelry doesn’t get heavy use. If your jewelry is worn every day, more frequent cleaning with a soap-cutting ammonia cleaner may be needed.

Polish your pewter to remove scratches and imperfections. Rub the polish onto the jewelry in a circular motion, using a soft rag. Rub with a clean rag to remove the polish. If the scratch is deep, consider using fine 0000-grade steel wool, rubbing it on the pewter in the direction of the scratch.

Get professional help. If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning or polishing your pewter jewelry, or if you want a dark, antique patina to build up, speak to a professional jeweler. They can give you advice and show you how to care for your pewter jewelry if you’re feeling uncertain.