How does one tell if pewter is lead free, or similarly, how does one know if pewter contains lead? The real test and therefore the most accurate will be to use the test kit chemicals. Swap a small area of the metal and wait for a color change. When lead is present in the pewter, the area will turn red or pink. Pewter sheets that contain lead, might have a blueish tint to them, but that is not a real indication as some sheets contain lead with no blueish tint.