Is the area yellow? Use all your senses in concert to help you determine whether or not an object you are examining is Bakelite. This test works well with bangle bracelets that are made entirely of Bakelite and is a very good way to confirm a piece once you get it home. Collector’s Weekly, Vintage Bakelite Costume Jewelry Schaffer Books, Bakelite Lucite, Celluloid, and Catalan Information and Identification Wiggins, Pamela, 6 Ways to Identify Bakelite: Using Your … It can be purchased online and it works well as a way to test most Bakelite. We’re here to help with that. Amazing difference isn’t it! One of the famous designers who made use of this is Coco Chanel. Sort By: SHULTZ bakelite black spacer bangle with multi-colored dots $ 128.00 Buy Now; SHULTZ bakelite … IN your first two pictures at the top, are these different bracelets? First, Bakelite and most of the other early plastics have a noticeable density and heft. Once you know that distinctive smell,  you will never forget it. Bakelite is developed by the Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland in Yonkers, New York, in 1907. Bakelite jewelry… That wonderful clunky sound. It is a bit pricey but will last for a very long time. These true artisans create both new and old designs of such high quality, they are well worth the price and will retain their value over time. These easy-to-stow pads provide a similar result to Simichrome or the 409 method mentioned below, and have proven to be quite reliable. Second, Bakelite … Authentic bakelite jewelry can sell for thousands of dollars, so it's important you learn how to tell the difference between genuine and imposter plastic jewelry. There are two simple ways to tell a vintage piece from a later copy. I’ll have to try the hot water method. The heat from the water releases the formaldehyde-like scent of Bakelite. But, there are some Bakelite items that will not test positive with Simichrome. So this one is going to be a bit of a learning curve. With pieces like the clip shown here, the wood may be damaged and discolored if it gets wet. Consider the weight of a piece of plastic jewelry. valuable plastic jewelry. Bakelite jewelry from the Art Deco era - Which pieces to choose and how to identify genuine Bakelite. Thank you Anita! Costume jewelry is sometimes disregarded by jewelry lovers as lacking in quality, but even aficionados can appreciate the colorful forms of Bakelite jewelry.In fact, most vintage plastic jewelry is desirable because it reminds us of a time when jewelry designers really had fun – with motifs, colors, and bold styles.There's a whole world of vintage plastic beyond Bakelite… There is something magical about Bakelite. Your email address will not be published. I've tried to get an answer in my books about Bakelite jewelry … How to test for Bakelite plastic. Vintage Rosen Diy Vintage Vintage Pins Vintage Style 1920s Style Vintage Buttons Walmart Jewelry Jewelry Stores Vintage Costume Jewelry. The new batch of Bakelite colors captured the imagination of more and more jewelry … Some folks well-versed in Bakelite identification recommend the hot water test as the standard when it comes to accurately identifying this form of plastic. These include newly polished or made items that do not have an aged patina, items that have been overdyed, and some black or red Bakelite items. Some involve intricate carvings, overdyes, and laminates or inserts that were never seen in the past. Bakelite can also be tested using the “hot water” method. I’ve tried the hot water method but with seasonal allergies, I lost my smell! Again, more testing will be required to confirm, but this is another good test to know when out shopping in the field. Required fields are marked *. Examine the piece with a jeweler's loupe or another type of magnifier, if needed. She taught me to see the beauty in everyday items made to last. Identifying what the black material is can make a big difference in determining when it was made and how much it could be worth. Bakelite testing pads are also an alternative to carrying a tube of Simichrome polish with you when you shop. The first quick thing to look for: Bakelite will never have mold or form markings on it. Buy vintage plastics on the Bakelite … As I have not personally tried it, it’s not something I can vouch for. Another way of identifying Bakelite is with Simichrome polish which is a pink polish made for cleaning metals. How to Identify Bakelite. Wholesale Bakelite gemstone jewelry. How to Identify and Price Vintage Bakelite Jewelry. Similar to Bakelite, another popular mid-century resin material, it's become collectible in recent years. This often takes a bit of practice, but it works well for many people while out shopping. How to Identify Bakelite Jewelry If you are a collector of Bakelite jewelry, or just enjoy wearing it occasionally, it is important to identify Bakelite jewelry from the many imitations that are available. Now smell it. Again, you may need to employ more than one test to rule out a false positive (or negative) result. Until you get very comfortable identifying Bakelite, however, it's good to employ more than one of these tests. What's the Difference Between Bakelite and Catalin? Rub your piece for a few seconds and take a look at your swab or rag. However, there are many fabulous new items made to look like vintage bakelite. Bakelite jewelry became especially popular in the 1930’s and 1940’s, after a wider assortment of colors was introduced. I see it in antique shops and flea markets and the colors are scrumptious! Bakelite feels heavier when compared to some other types of plastics, like celluloid as one example. You'll need to do other tests to confirm, but this is a good point of departure. Your email address will not be published. Many types of plastic and resin have distinct smells. Run the piece under hot tap water. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Think electrical insulators, distributor caps on cars, radio parts, telephones, etc. Generally, an old piece of Bakelite will exhibit some minor scratching and wear, even though it is in excellent condition by a collector's standards and may be quite valuable. Try gently tapping two pieces of another type of plastic together, and compare the sound to two pieces of true Bakelite the next time you're out shopping where this type of plastic is on display. Great article! However … Continue reading "How to Identify Bakelite … She's written over 400 articles on antique collecting for The Spruce Crafts. It was the initial plastic that was created using synthetic … That wonderful clunky sound. Widely considered the first synthetic plastic, Bakelite items are a hot commodity today among collectors of vintage jewelry and mechanical parts. Weight: Bakelite is lightweight, so anything heavy should raise a red flag. A distinct chemical odor similar to formaldehyde will linger with most genuine Bakelite. Bakelite was very rarely molded into individual pieces of finished jewelry. Learn the history of and how to identify vintage plastics such as bakelite, lucite, celluloid, and catalin jewelry, accessories, handbags, purses, pins, bangles, bracelets, necklaces, and more in the Collectics Reference & Education Program. Using only your senses in concert to help you determine whether or not an object you are examining Bakelite. Piece from a later copy genuine Bakelite identify from the sound whether the piece of plastic jewelry ’ mean! Originally created for use in the past cleaner works similarly to Simichrome or the method. 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