A Comprehensive Guide to Tin Jewellery

Why Choose Tin Jewellery? 

 

Tin isn't an obvious choice when it comes to the world of jewellery, however after reading this guide, perhaps you'll be surprised to discover that it's actually quite the unassuming hero, sat quietly in the shadows, ticking all the right boxes!

 

First off, it's important to point out something that may not be immediately obvious.  Tin Jewellery & tin cans are not created equal - in fact, they are not similar in the slightest! 

Fun Fact: tin cans are actually made of steel or aluminium, and previously coated with a layer of tin, which stopped the contents from corroding the can. However, many cans are now coated with a special layer of plastic.

 

Now we've cleared that up, lets talk about the qualities of Tin and what makes it suited to Jewellery making.

The soft, malleable qualities of tin, and beautiful silver appearance when polished, make it both a visual and economical rival to that of the traditional and ever popular Silver jewellery.  

 

Throughout history, particularly during times of hardship, Tin and it's sister metal, Pewter was often purchased in place of Silver, due to the similar aesthetics and favourable price point. 

 

Did you know: Pewter is a tin based alloy which contains approximately 92% tin, with the addition of copper and antimony (sometimes bismuth) in order to harden the metal, to make it as hard wearing and robust as possible.  

 

Although Tin is a beautiful metal, it's soft nature can make it challenging to work with and plenty of attention to temperature and technique need to be applied. 

For this reason, traditionally Pewter is more often used throughout the world, however here at Vision Arts Tin, we specialise in both Tin & Pewter.  

 

Fun Fact: Tin is classed as a soft metal.  When a bar of Tin is bent, the Tin makes a cracking and creaking sound, which came to be known as 'the cry of tin'

This is actually the result of something known as deformation twinning, caused when the crystal planes inside the bar move against each other, as the bar is bent. 

 

We have worked hard to perfect these techniques so that we can create consistently high quality Tin Jewellery.  In doing so, we've been able to steadily grow our Tin collection, creating a wonderful range of Tin Necklaces & Earrings.  

 

 

How is Tin Jewellery made?

 

 

Various techniques are employed when it comes to creating Tin Jewellery.   Most jewellery will be made using either sheet metal, which is where the Tin comes in the form of a flat, smooth sheet, in varying sizes and thicknesses, ready for cutting, manipulating and polishing.  This works well for pieces such as bangles or one-off commissions.

 

Alternatively, tin also comes in the form of raw ingots, ready for melting down and forming, using a method call centrifugal spin casting.  This is where molten Tin is poured directly into vulcanised rubber moulds via a spout, and spun at high speeds, effectively forcing the Tin into the cavities in the moulds, until the space has been filled and the Tin has mostly solidified. 

The mould is then removed from the machine and parted, to reveal the items inside, ready for finishing and polishing.

We've covered this method in more detail in a previous blog.  

 

The method used really depends on the piece in question, however, both processes produce excellent results with the right skill and craftmanship.  

 

 

 

Is Tin Hypoallergenic?

 

Tin is a non toxic metal and therefore considered to be both safe and hypo-allergenic.  

It won't turn your skin green, make you itch or mark your clothes.  Nothing is more frustrating than wearing a gorgeous piece of new jewellery, and going on to develop an itchy rash where your pendant has come into contact with your skin, or finding your ring is slowly turning your finger green! 

The common allergen culprits for this are Cobalt and Nickel, neither of which will be hiding in your Tin Jewellery.   

Fun Fact: the term hypoallergenic is actually undefined, it simply means something that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction..

Tin is therefore considered extremely low risk when it comes to the potential for an allergic reaction.  

 

Does Tin Rust?

 

No, Tin does not rust.  Similar to Silver, Tin does tarnish over time, however this is slow to occur, due to a particular reaction that occurs with the Oxygen in the atmosphere.  this reaction creates a naturally protective layer of Stannic Oxide over the Tin, thereby creating a level of protection and slowing down the natural tarnishing process.

As with many metals, over time Tin will eventually tarnish, however maintaining and caring for Tin Jewellery is a relatively simple and inexpensive process.

 

 

How to take care of Tin Jewellery.

 

For light tarnish, and to restore the original shine, a silver polishing cloth will do the trick.  Silver cloths are available at most large supermarkets at a reasonable cost. 

Silver cloths are impregnated with several substances that work to both lift the tarnish and provide a level of future protection.   Simply polish and buff the piece and watch as the colour lifts and the shine is restored. 

In our experience, a silver polishing cloth is an absolute must.  By periodically giving your piece a hand polish, you can easily keep on top of any mild tarnish that appears, and you can avoid the need for further maintenance.

For more stubborn tarnish, use a warm bowl of soapy water; a mild dish detergent should be sufficient.  Harsh chemicals are best avoided, especially anything particularly acidic.  Carefully wash the piece, making sure to dry thoroughly, then use a silver cloth to buff to a bright shine.

Its important to always use soft cloths and materials to avoid the potential for marks or scratches.

 

 

Is there anything else I should know about Tin Jewellery?

 

It's worth bearing in mind that Tin is a soft metal.  Make sure to use a gentle cloth when cleaning, nothing too abrasive that could mark the Tin. 

Avoid harsh chemicals, especially anything particularly acidic, such as citric acid, vinegar, and cleaning products.  It's a good idea to remove before swimming 

Other than that, your tin jewellery is suitable for everyday wear.  

 

If you were in two minds before reading this guide, hopefully the information provided has given you a valuable insight into the world of Tin Jewellery.  If you do have any questions, please reach out and we'll be very happy to help.