Pewter vs. Silver — What's the Difference?

Known for its soft and malleable nature.

A lustrous white precious metal.

Historically used for everyday household items.

Symbolic of purity and luxury.

A metal alloy mainly consisting of tin.

Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin argentum, derived from the Proto-Indo-European h₂erǵ: "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal.

Less resistant to tarnishing than silver.

Symbol Ag A lustrous white, ductile, malleable metallic element, occurring both uncombined and in ores such as argentite, having the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of the metals. It is highly valued for jewelry, tableware, and other ornamental use and is widely used in coinage, photography, dental and soldering alloys, electrical contacts, and printed circuits. Atomic number 47; atomic weight 107.868; melting point 961.78°C; boiling point 2,162°C; specific gravity 10.50 (20°C); valence 1, 2. See Periodic Table.

Requires gentle cleaning for maintenance.

This metallic element as a commodity or medium of exchange.

Pewter () is a malleable metal alloy consisting of tin (85–99%), antimony (approximately 5–10%), copper (2%), bismuth, and sometimes silver. Copper and antimony (and in antiquity lead) act as hardeners but lead may be used in lower grades of pewter, imparting a bluish tint.

Coins made of this metallic element.

Any of numerous silver-gray alloys of tin with various amounts of antimony, copper, and sometimes lead, used widely for fine kitchen utensils and tableware.

A medal made of silver awarded to one placing second in a competition, as in the Olympics.

Pewter articles considered as a group.

Domestic articles, such as tableware, made of or plated with silver.

An alloy of approximately 93–98% tin, 1–2% copper, and the balance of antimony.

Tableware, especially eating and serving utensils, made of steel or another metal.

(historical) An alloy of tin and lead.

A lustrous medium gray.

Items made of pewter; pewterware.

A silver salt, especially silver nitrate, used to sensitize paper.

A beer tankard made from pewter.

Made of or containing silver

A dark, dull grey colour, like that of the metal.

Resembling silver, especially in having a lustrous shine; silvery.

Prize money.

Of a lustrous medium gray

Of a dark, dull grey colour, like that of the metal.

Having a soft, clear, resonant sound.

(transitive) To coat with pewter.

Eloquent; persuasive

A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.

Favoring the adoption of silver as a standard of currency

Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots.

Of or constituting a 25th anniversary.

Any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)

To cover, plate, or adorn with silver or a similar lustrous substance.

To give a silver color to.

To coat (photographic paper) with a film of silver nitrate or other silver salt.

To become silvery.

(uncountable) A lustrous, white, metallic element, atomic number 47, atomic weight 107.87, symbol Ag.

Coins made from silver or any similar white metal.

Cutlery and other eating utensils, whether silver or made from some other white metal.

Any items made from silver or any other white metal.

(uncountable) A shiny gray color.

(countable) a silver medal

Anything resembling silver; something shiny and white.

Made from silver.

Made from another white metal.

Having a color like silver: a shiny gray.

Denoting the twenty-fifth anniversary, especially of a wedding.

(of commercial services) Premium, but inferior to gold.

Having the clear, musical tone of silver; soft and clear in sound.

To acquire a silvery colour.

To cover with silver, or with a silvery metal.

To polish like silver; to impart a brightness to, like that of silver.

To make hoary, or white, like silver.

A soft white metallic element, sonorous, ductile, very malleable, and capable of a high degree of polish. It is found native, and also combined with sulphur, arsenic, antimony, chlorine, etc., in the minerals argentite, proustite, pyrargyrite, ceragyrite, etc. Silver is one of the "noble" metals, so-called, not being easily oxidized, and is used for coin, jewelry, plate, and a great variety of articles. Symbol Ag (Argentum). Atomic weight 107.7. Specific gravity 10.5.

Coin made of silver; silver money.

Anything having the luster or appearance of silver.

The color of silver.

Of or pertaining to silver; made of silver; as, silver leaf; a silver cup.

Resembling silver.

Precious; costly.

To cover with silver; to give a silvery appearance to by applying a metal of a silvery color; as, to silver a pin; to silver a glass mirror plate with an amalgam of tin and mercury.

To polish like silver; to impart a brightness to, like that of silver.

To make hoary, or white, like silver.

To acquire a silvery color.

A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

Coins made of silver

A light shade of gray

Silverware eating utensils

A medal made of silver (or having the appearance of silver) that is usually awarded for winning second place in a competition

Coat with a layer of silver or a silver amalgam;

Make silver in color;

Turn silver;

Made from or largely consisting of silver;

Having the white lustrous sheen of silver;

Lustrous gray; covered with or tinged with the color of silver;

Expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively;

Known for its high conductivity and malleability.

Historically used as currency in the form of coins.

Requires polishing to maintain its shine.

Yes, silver has historically been used as currency in the form of coins.

Silver is generally more valuable than pewter.

Regular polishing and keeping it away from moisture can help prevent tarnish.

Pewter has historically been used for household items like plates and cups.

Modern pewter, which is lead-free, is generally considered safe for food and drink.

Old pewter items may contain lead, which can be harmful if ingested.

Yes, both can tarnish, but silver is more prone to tarnishing.

Pewter is an alloy primarily of tin, while silver is a pure elemental metal.

Both are malleable, but silver is more durable.

No, pewter requires gentle cleaning, while silver needs regular polishing.

Not always. Many silver items, especially jewelry, are often alloys, like sterling silver, which contains 92.5% silver.

Silver is aesthetically appealing, lustrous, and considered a symbol of purity and luxury.

Pewter is primarily tin, often alloyed with small amounts of copper or antimony.

Yes, silver is an excellent conductor of electricity.

Pewter naturally has a duller finish compared to the high luster of silver.