Why Pewter?

Towards the end of last year and into the start of 2026, silver prices were at an all time high (I may have mentioned it once or twice!!) and seemed to be climbing with no sign of stopping. I had already just increased prices in October 2025 but they were already up by about 200%. It was scary stuff!

Pewter Plockton Coral

In January, I had to order stock following the busy festive season and a couple orders in, I was completely disheartened and completely questioning whether making with silver was even a viable or affordable option for me.

When I was first learning to make with silver, it was common to use other cheaper metals (e.g. brass and copper) to try out new skills and basically make cheaper mistakes! This was again an option to save some money, but I had no interest in working with brass or copper - for me part of loving and wearing silver is the colour.

I had worked a wee bit with pewter during a summer school at Duncan of Jordanstone about 7 years ago and for some reason this popped back into my head.

Scottish Communion Cup and Flagon

I did some research on pewter, found it was hypoallergenic, doesn’t tarnish and also had a long history in Scotland (See pic from The Pewter Society).

I bought some basic kit, a book as well as repurposing some silver tools) and basically started playing. After as couple of days of exploring and making I was loving this material.

Now it just so happened at that same time, those crazy silver prices stopped climbing and even dropped a bit. This was great, but even now they are not back to where we were six months ago, let alone this time last year.

Silver prices from Oct 25-April 26

6 months ago - Crazy Jan! - Today

Regardless, I was fairly hooked on this new metal! It seemed to release a new level of creativity and freedom that I hadn’t felt for a while using silver. The lower price of the metal making it much easier to justify playing and experimenting.

Pewter tellin shells from Gairloch

The rest has become a bit of an obsession which a hyper-focus on shells!! AS a dedicated beach lover, making use of my favourite shells as well as glass and pottery if perfect for me.

I'm keeping all the chains and earrings components as silver which I feel is important.

Scotland has a rich history in using Pewter and although the heyday was back in the 1600's, I'm happy to revive a wee bit of that and make it my way! I don't foresee any quaich's or Celtic knots any time soon but it will still be 100% Scottish stuff!

Still handcrafted by me, a similar look to silver but just a wee bit different.  

 I’m not giving up silver any time soon, but pewter is giving me different options and I’m loving trying new methods of working too which is great! 

Hypoallergenic, non- tarnishing and a lower price point than silver,  what's not to love..... Oh, did I mention someone who works with Pewter is a pewterer? I will call myself that all day long?!

Erika x