Which Pewter Should I Use? A Comparison of RotoMetals’ Four Signature Pewter Alloys

Understanding strength, shine, detail, and casting performance across the four flagship alloys.

Modern pewter casting has evolved far beyond its historical roots. Today’s makers — from jewelers and sculptors to hobby casters and small‑batch manufacturers — expect alloys that pour smoothly, capture fine detail, finish beautifully, and remain consistent from batch to batch. That’s exactly why so many creators rely on RotoMetals pewter. Our four primary alloys — R‑92, R‑95, R‑97, and R‑98 — each offer distinct advantages based on their tin, antimony, and copper ratios. These subtle shifts in composition dramatically influence hardness, shine, flow, and detail retention, giving casters the ability to choose the perfect alloy for their specific project. This guide breaks down each formulation, explains how it behaves in the mold, and helps you select the right pewter for jewelry, collectibles, parts, statuettes, and more.

At the core of every RotoMetals pewter alloy is high‑purity tin, which provides the bright, silvery appearance and smooth casting flow that pewter is known for. Antimony increases hardness, improves wear resistance, and enhances the alloy’s ability to hold crisp detail. Copper contributes strength and durability, especially for pieces that will be handled frequently or exposed to stress. Because RotoMetals alloys are lead‑free and formulated with precision, they offer predictable casting performance and consistent results — a critical advantage for both beginners and professionals. Understanding how each element influences behavior is the key to choosing the right alloy.

R‑92 Pewter stands as the strongest and hardest alloy in the RotoMetals lineup, thanks to its highest antimony content. This elevated antimony level gives R‑92 exceptional durability, excellent detail retention, and superior resistance to bending or deformation. It pours cleanly, cools with stability, and produces castings that feel solid and substantial in the hand. R‑92 is ideal for miniatures, statuettes, gaming pieces, mechanical components, and any casting that requires strength and crisp definition. Makers who need durability above all else consistently choose RotoMetals R‑92, especially for pieces that will be handled frequently or require long‑term structural integrity.

R‑95 Pewter is the alloy of choice for jewelers and decorative casters who prioritize brightness and surface finish. With a higher tin content and a balanced amount of copper, R‑95 produces a naturally brilliant, clean surface straight out of the mold. It flows exceptionally well, fills fine lines with ease, and requires minimal polishing to achieve a professional, high‑end look. This makes R‑95 perfect for charms, pendants, decorative hardware, and detailed ornamental pieces. When appearance, shine, and smoothness matter most, RotoMetals R‑95 delivers a premium finish with minimal post‑processing.

R‑97 Pewter is engineered for precision and detail. With more antimony than R‑95 but less than R‑92, it strikes a balance between hardness and castability. R‑97 excels at capturing intricate textures, sharp edges, and deep relief work, making it ideal for coins, medallions, collectibles, and highly detailed figurines. It cools slightly faster than the higher‑tin alloys and produces a harder finished piece that holds its shape well. Many professional casters rely on RotoMetals R‑97 when accuracy and fine detail are the top priorities, especially for molds with complex geometry or tight tolerances.

R‑98 Pewter represents the premium, high‑tin end of the RotoMetals spectrum. With the highest tin content of the four alloys, R‑98 offers exceptional flow, a mirror‑like finish, and outstanding casting smoothness. While it is not as hard as R‑92 or R‑97 due to its lower antimony content, it provides unmatched brightness and polishability. R‑98 is ideal for high‑end jewelry, luxury collectibles, reproduction antiques, and professional studio work where visual quality is paramount. Makers who want the brightest, cleanest, most refined pewter finish consistently choose RotoMetals R‑98 for its elegance and superior flow characteristics.

Choosing the right pewter alloy depends on your priorities. If you need maximum strength and crisp detail, R‑92 is the top performer. If you want a bright, jewelry‑grade finish with minimal polishing, R‑95 is the ideal choice. If your project demands high detail with balanced hardness, R‑97 offers the perfect middle ground. And if you’re aiming for the brightest, smoothest, most premium surface finish, R‑98 delivers unmatched visual quality. Mold material also plays a role — silicone and RTV molds pair well with all four alloys, while metal molds often benefit from the higher‑tin formulations due to their superior flow.

Finishing and polishing vary slightly between alloys. R‑95 and R‑98 polish to a brilliant shine with minimal effort, while R‑92 and R‑97 may require a bit more buffing depending on the desired finish. All four alloys accept patinas beautifully, allowing makers to create antique effects, darkened recesses, or brushed satin surfaces. Because RotoMetals pewter is lead‑free and high‑purity, it responds consistently to finishing techniques and avoids many of the defects associated with lower‑grade metals.

What ultimately sets RotoMetals pewter apart is consistency. Every batch is formulated with precision, tested for purity, and designed to give makers confidence that their castings will come out clean, strong, and beautiful. Whether you’re pouring your first charm or producing a full line of collectibles, R‑92, R‑95, R‑97, and R‑98 give you the flexibility to choose the perfect alloy for your craft. When you’re ready to elevate your casting, RotoMetals is here with the pewter that helps your work shine.