Pewter is a metal alloy that has been used for centuries, primarily for household items and decorative objects. It is valued for its malleability and attractive silver-like sheen. If you are wondering whether this metal will interact with a common magnet, the definitive answer is no, pewter does not stick to a magnet. This lack of magnetic attraction is a direct result of its elemental composition.
The Fundamental Answer: Pewter and Magnetism
Pewter is classified as a non-magnetic material because it does not possess the property known as ferromagnetism. Ferromagnetism is a phenomenon exhibited by only a few elements, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, which allows them to be strongly attracted to a magnet. The strong magnetic pull you experience with common metals is exclusive to these ferromagnetic substances and their alloys.
The primary components of pewter are metals that are either weakly magnetic (paramagnetic) or repelled by a magnetic field (diamagnetic). While pewter reacts to a magnetic field on an atomic level, the effect is too slight to be detected by a household magnet. The overall metallic structure prevents any measurable magnetic attraction from occurring, regardless of whether the pewter is an antique piece or a modern formulation.
What Pewter Is Made Of
The elemental makeup of pewter explains its non-magnetic nature, as it is composed almost entirely of non-ferromagnetic metals. Modern pewter is predominantly tin, making up 85% to 99% of the alloy. The remaining percentage typically consists of small amounts of antimony and copper, which are added to improve the alloy’s hardness and durability.
A common modern, lead-free pewter formula often contains about 91% tin, 7.5% antimony, and 1.5% copper. Historically, older pewter contained lead, sometimes up to 30%, but this element is also non-magnetic. Since tin, antimony, copper, and lead are all non-ferromagnetic, their combination results in a final material that a magnet will not stick to.
Using Magnetism to Identify Pewter
The non-magnetic property of pewter makes a magnet a simple and effective tool for quickly checking the authenticity of a metal object. If an item is genuine pewter, a magnet will not cling to it, offering a useful field test for collectors and consumers. This simple test helps distinguish true pewter from other look-alike metals that are ferromagnetic.
If a magnet does stick strongly to an item that appears to be pewter, it is a clear indication that the piece is likely not pure pewter or is heavily adulterated. The object may be made from a cheaper, steel-based substitute or another alloy that contains a significant percentage of iron or nickel. For instance, a pewter-like item that strongly attracts a magnet might actually be iron or steel that has been plated with a thin layer of tin or a similar non-magnetic coating.
While trace iron contamination might exist in low-quality or antique pewter, the resulting magnetic pull would be negligible compared to the strong attraction seen with steel. The magnetic test serves as a reliable first step in identification, confirming the absence of strongly magnetic elements. However, the test is not definitive proof of authenticity because other non-magnetic metals, such as aluminum or zinc alloys, will also fail to attract a magnet.