Identification guide · Metals & Alloys
How to Identify Pewter
Pewter is usually dull silver, gray, and pewter gray with a metallic luster and is opaque. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Its streak is gray. It is most often confused with Tin, Aluminum, and Iron; the tests below separate them.
Pewter identification checklist
| Color | Dull silver, Gray, Pewter gray | Look at a clean, dry surface in daylight. Color zoning, banding or spots are as diagnostic as the hue. |
|---|---|---|
| Luster | Metallic | Turn it under a lamp: a true metallic shine reflects like polished metal and stays opaque at thin edges. |
| Transparency | Opaque | Hold a thin edge up to a bright light and note whether light passes through. |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 | A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. |
| Streak | Gray | Drag a corner across unglazed porcelain (the back of a bathroom tile) and check the powder color. |
| Cleavage | None | |
| Fracture | Ductile to uneven | |
| Specific gravity | 7.4 | Very heavy, metallic heft (specific gravity about 7.4). |
Pewter look-alikes and how to tell them apart
Pewter is harder (Mohs 2.5) than Tin (Mohs 1.5), so Pewter will scratch Tin and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Pewter vs Tin →
Both sit near Mohs 2.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Pewter vs Aluminum →
Iron is harder (Mohs 4) than Pewter (Mohs 2.5), so Iron will scratch Pewter and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Pewter vs Iron →
Pewter is harder (Mohs 2.5) than Lead (Mohs 1.5), so Pewter will scratch Lead and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Pewter vs Lead →
Field tips
- Look for a muted gray-silver surface rather than a bright mirror shine.
- Pewter feels softer and can show dents or bends.
- Older pewter may darken with age.
- Common objects include tankards, figurines, buttons, and decorative pieces.
Pewter identification FAQ
How can you tell if a rock is Pewter?
Check the color (dull silver, gray, and pewter gray), the metallic luster, a Mohs hardness of 2.5 and a gray streak. Photographing it with the StoneSnap app gives a match in seconds.
What is the hardness of Pewter?
Pewter has a Mohs hardness of 2.5. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
What is the difference between Pewter and Tin?
Pewter (Mohs 2.5, metallic luster) and Tin (Mohs 1.5, metallic luster) look alike, but hardness, streak and heft usually separate them. See the full Pewter vs Tin comparison for a side-by-side table.
Is Pewter worth anything?
Entry-level Pewter specimens sell for around $1, typical collector pieces about $20, and premium examples $250 or more depending on size, quality and locality.
What color is Pewter?
Pewter is most often dull silver, gray, and pewter gray. Color varies with impurities and locality, so confirm with hardness and luster rather than color alone.
