I have questions about
my Seagull Pewter Piece.
I own a Seagull Pewter piece and would like to know about its value? What
about repairing a broken piece?
We receive
many questions from Seagull Pewter owners from around the world. To help
answer your questions about that unique Seagull Pewter item, we have set up a
special BLOG site for Seagull
Pewter Inquiries. This site answers questions on the value of your Seagull
Pewter pieces, repairs and even Seagull Pewter contact information.
If you have a Question
about Seagull Pewter and want a definitive answer then go
here to the Seagull
Pewter Information BLOG.
Is it safe to use my credit card when ordering?
Yes. We have a completely secure
merchant account system that automatically checks your credit card number and
transfers the funds without anyone ever seeing your credit card number or any
other personal information. We Value Your
Privacy
Is there a minimum total order value required?
No. Pewter Expressions does not
require a minimum order value. But our supplier charges an additional handling
surcharge of $25.00 for orders less than $165.00 in total value (excluding
taxes and shipping). This is why you will see a $39.50 shipping cost ($25.00 +
$14.50) for orders totaling less than $165.00.
Pewter Expressions offers you amazing
discounted prices on all our Seagull Pewter Products and recommends you
buy that second pewter piece to bring your total order to $165. You realize a significant
saving on Seagull Pewter Products!
Pewter Expressions brings you the best pewter
at the best discounted price!
How will my product be shipped?
All orders will be shipped via UPS,
FedEx, Purolator or Postal Service. Shipping charges vary according to product
type and destination.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Shipping times vary according to
product type and destination. We will ship your product within 72 business
hours of order receipt and you should receive it within 7-12 business days.
During peak seasons shipping time may be up to 2 weeks longer. If an item is
not in stock, you will be notified immediately.
Do I have to pay sales tax?
Orders shipped to the USA will not
be charged any taxes. Orders shipped to Canada will be charged a 6% Goods and
Services Tax (GST). Only our Atlantic Canada customers (NB, NS, PE, NL)have to
pay the additional 8.0% provincial sales tax. The combined GST/PST is called
HST - Harmonized Sales Tax and is a total of 14%.
What is your return policy?
If you have problems with an order
or have questions regarding a product, please use the message system on your
account and email us with the details of your concern at:
help@pewterexpressions.com
Please refer to our Return
Policy for our complete process for returning damaged items.
How is Seagull Pewter
made?
Each Seagull design is
sculpted and created as a model by our artists and designers. Moulds are then
made from these originals before replicas are cast in fine pewter. Molten
pewter is carefully poured into a mould and, once cooled, each piece is
carefully extracted, buffed and hand finished by our craftsmen.
What is Pewter?
Pewter is one of the most
valuable precious metals in common use today. Fine pewter is an alloy of tin.
It can be highly polished or buffed to a satin finish. Pewter, like other
precious metals, has set standards that specify that pewter must contain at
least 92% tin. Our products exceed the standard of 92% pure tin. Like gold and
platinum, pewter does not tarnish. As pewter ages it takes on a soft, even
patina which is very pleasing to the eye. Modern pewter is safe and meant for
everyday use. All Seagull serve-ware and baby items are 100% lead free and
are food safe.
What is the history of pewter?
Pewter was the main metal used for tableware until
china became very fashionable around mid-1800. Early pewter pieces contained
different percentages of different elements depending upon the use intended
for the pewter piece. Eating and drinking utensils contained either 96-99 %
tin, and 1-4 % copper or, for duller looking utensils with a bluish tinge to
them, the content makeup was 92 % tin, 1-4 % copper, and up to 4 % lead.
Pewter pieces not used for either eating or drinking may have contained up to
15 % lead. In the 20th century, pewter production was revived,
mainly for decorative or specialty items. Pewter today is mixed with copper,
antimony, or antimony and bismuth, or antimony and zinc, or silver to make
eating, drinking and decorative pieces. Pewterware is enjoying a renewed
interest in the areas of eating and drinking pieces especially as pewter
pieces made today contains no lead.
How do I care for my pewter
pieces?
Taking care of your pewter is simple and will mean
that you will enjoy using your pewter for many, many years. There are
typically 3 varieties of finish used on pewter pieces. All may be cleaned
using 1 technique.
Polished Finish:
smooth with a shiny surface
Satin Finish: grainy with
a mellow patina or softer look
Oxidized Finish: dark with
an antique look
Clean: 2-3 times a year, or
after each use
Technique: Wash the pewter
piece with warm water and a mild soap, drying immediately and thoroughly with
a soft cotton cloth.
Both polished and satin finished pewter pieces may
be cared for using other cleaning methods.
Polished pewter
can also be cleaned 2-3 times a year by rubbing the pewter piece in a circular
motion with a soft cotton cloth and a pewter polish; then wash with warm water
and a mild soap, drying immediately and thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth.
Satin Pewter
can also be cleaned 2-3 times a year by buffing the piece with a fine grade of
steel wool, rubbing in the direction of the grain, and pressing very lightly.
Follow this cleaning with washing the pewter in warm water and with a mild
soap, drying immediately and thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth.
Do not wash any kind of pewter in an automatic
dishwasher: The high heat used, and the other elements that pewter can come
into contact with, may cause the pewter to be harmed by pitting and staining.