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Tin Smelting

Cornish Tin Cornwall is reknowned as a source of tin from prehistory through to the 20th century. Tin occurs in the mineral cassiterite which is tin oxide. in order to extract the metal from the mineral it is necessary to heat to a temperature above 1000C in the presence of carbon. The carbon being more reactive than tin takes the oxygen leaving behind tin metal, this process is known as smelting. We have a great interest in Cornish Tin and have great pride in making some of our range in this rare metal. Although tin was produced in Cornwall through to the late 1990s commercial smelting ceased in the Duchy around 1930 so no entirely Cornish tin metal has been produced commercially for some considerable time. Small scale production of Cornish tin has been undertaken by a number of individuals and companies to produce a product with sentimental value. Smelting on a small scale is a very expensive process reflected in the higher price of the end product.                   Pewter We make our own lead free pewter alloys and lead free solders, this gives us independence and control over quality. The composition of pewter has varied greatly through time often pewtersmiths would make their own recipies. The only common ingredient through all these compositions is a high percentage of tin. Pure tin is generally far too soft to be of practical use, so additions of other elements are made to make a more durable alloy with better casting properties.