I"m in the midwest US so bakelite is pretty affordable here but in the UK, I hear that a single bangle can be hundreds of dollars and up. But Most of All….On the Hunt for Vintage! Oh you're too lovable! In the first half of the 20th century, Bakelite was used widely for game pieces, billiard balls, phones, jewelry, buttons and more. What an elaborate and very professional post, thank you so much for making it. The only prystal bakelite that I have come across as been the yellow "apple juice". It should have the same characteristics of the above bakelite, but should be completely translucent. You're very welcome! It’s always nice to test them because then you can say….’tested’ in the listing too. I wouldn't pay that much for a super skinny spacer unless maybe it was heavily carved or blue (my favorite color). DecoJewelsandMore. The Smell Test. I have found so MANY buttons with melted ‘holes’ on the back of them. It's amazing. How to Identify Antique Vintage Buttons. Thanks for this post. If it is Bakelite, it shouldn't melt but it's not worth attempting. 1960s big daisy Hippie pierced earrings. Take a quick look at it and notice if there are any seams in the plastic. Perfect!!! Thanks so much for this fun & helpful posting :). Very helpful indeed! If the piece passes these two tests, and the price is right, bring the piece home for further testing. The later development of other plastics makes it sometimes hard to tell at first glance if an object is made from Bakelite or not. The exposed area can darken and acquire scratches, and a type of patina forms on the surface. I read every single comment (even on old posts) and they make my day! Celluloid and lucite are two other plastics used to make jewelry. I’ve heard you can buy it at hardware stores, etc but I usually just buy it online. I will now link your site to this other site where other people are wondering the same thing. Thanks!! Dampen a tip of a cotton swab with Formula 409, a household cleaner. 5 out of 5 stars (71) 71 reviews $ 57.56. You can identify from the sound whether the piece you are buying is original or not. While it is possible that it would be made with ivory, the chances are pretty slim. And cheaper. Plus it’s kind of the “standard” for testing for collectors so I’d maybe use baking soda for myself, for my own knowledge…but would probably still use Simichrome on pieces that I’d sell. It is fun and interesting to try and has really helped me to identify Bakelite. Put a small amount on a Q-tip and rub it on the bracelet or whatever piece of suspected Bakelite you want to test. It doesnt have handles but I just use it for storing jewelry or sewing supplies. Plus most buyers are familiar with Simichrome and you can mention it to add legitimacy to your listing. There are also plastic/bakelite made for 7,62x39 AK rifles, but the 5.45x39 have different shape. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Not sure if it's lucite or another plastic. First of all, Bakelite pieces are a bit heavier than normal plastic items of the same size. Required fields are marked *. I need the 2-3/4" size (the largest made?) Bakelite wasn't widely used to make mah-jongg sets in the 1920s, when mah-jongg was a … I have always been a little confused about bakelite. Awesome guide!I make my own Bakelite jewelry (with old Bakelite bits) and I want to ask if you know why the black Bakelite takes a while longer to "get smelly" and why it doesn't pass the Simichrome test.I've tried to get an answer in my books about Bakelite jewelry but without luck. The buttons were popular in the 1930s and worn more for decoration than function. The $40 one was an online purchase because it was carved and a unique orange color. I’m listing a set of steak knives that someone else has listed as Bakelite but I would not call them that without knowing for sure. https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageandvanity. Just don’t use it on pieces with a colored stain applied to them (mostly transparent pieces). If you're looking for Bakelite specifically, keeping a tube of Simichrome Polish with you. Bakelite jewelry will generally make a deep clunking sound when tapped together, unlike any other jewelry. I show the hot water method & simichrome method. Remove the piece of jewelry from the water and smell it. Continue to hold the piece of jewelry in the hot water for 30 seconds. Take the piece of jewelry believed to be Lucite, and dip it into hot, but not boiling, water. :) x. I’ve even some dealers have used baking soda with similar results. One of the easiest and best ways to identify Bakelite jewelry is to tap two pieces together. I prefer to use the polish because it’s a small tube I can just keep by my desk. The chemicals should be rinsed off right away. If there are, its not Bakelite. Bakelite pieces also have a certain feel and look. So that’s it! Happy to help!! Identifying and Cleaning Bakelite Buttons. Identifying bakelite can be easy if you know what to look for. Put a small amount on a Q-tip and rub it on the bracelet or whatever piece of suspected Bakelite you want to test. However there are a few fairly simple ways of determining whether your chunky bangle bracelet, button collection or vintage flatware is made up of this gorgeous early plastic. I hope "F Bakelite" means "Fake". I really try to do this unobtrusively…for obvious reasons -what would you think about somebody who’s sniffing the jewelry?? Most, but not all, Bakelite will … <3, I love your jewelry, especially the 2-tone hoop earrings! At a flea market, estate sale, garage sale and some antique malls, I expect bakelite to be more affordable than a trade show, high end antique shop and vintage store. Identifying what the black material is can make a big difference in determining when it was made and how much it could be worth. If it’s genuine, the Q-tip will show a yellow, brown or orange tint. Spoils of The Hunt- This One’s a Quick One. So sad. I carry them in my purse for field testing. Once you get familiar with the smell…you’ll spot it easier in the field. Simichrome polish is pink. In practice, the phenol and formaldehyde are first polymerized to a small extent by using the proper choice of catalyst and temperature. Bakelite (pronounced with three syllables, by the way: the middle E is short, not silent) was created by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907 with industrial uses in mind. Thrifting, Reselling, Saving Money. Thank-you for this very informative guide. Antique buttons can be made out of just about anything, from antlers and bone to glass and ceramics to metals and stone. How to test for Bakelite plastic. The first thing to understand about testing is this: There is no test that works 100% of the time on 100% of Bakelite. Military buttons are in a class by themselves, with categories for flat buttons made of lead or pewter, two-part convex buttons, and buttons produced for officers. valuable plastic jewelry. In other words, to get a dog pin, you'd pour plastic into a dog-shaped mold. :P. Im curious if you could maybe give estimates on what to pay for Bakelite?I was at a flea market and saw bangles priced at $35. The 5.45x39 magazines are made of bakelite or (currently) black plastic. They call it "prystal". Smell- the rub and sniff is my tried and true method of choice and is very handy if you don't have any chemicals around to test it. Use one or several of the other tests to confirm your item as Bakelite. If you rub the item with your finger until it feels warm, and smell your finger, you will get a pungent smell like something burning. In 1907 Bakelite was invented, but it took until 1912 for the product to be used to mold more complex pieces. Always test the piece on the inside of the bangle, back of an earring or any inconspicuous area. Modern hard plastics which are often confused with Bakelite, were generally produced by injecting or pouring a liquid resin into a mold which produced the final product. after you get to touch the piece, you can really begin the investigation. But your collection is beautiful! Bakelite is easy to identify because it has a slick-looking patina to the inner part of the bangle or on the back part of a brooch or piece. Bakelite Tests. The AK-74 originally had AK-style front sight but it was changed during production to AKM-style one. There are some bangles on etsy claiming to be Prystal but I haven't been brave enough to buy one yet :P I found more information on prystal bakelite here: http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/gale/ some bakelite collectors consider the root beer (swirled amber and brown) to be prystal too. Ivory and clear laminated French Bakelite. The tiles are opaque, very dense and usually have fairly sharp edges. Bakelite is a condensation polymer of formaldehyde and phenol. 6 Ways to Identify Bakelite Tapping Items Together. For the love of all that’s vintage, please don’t do this! Genuine Bakelite pieces were cast, not molded and seamed. They must think I'm crazy but I do it anyway :P. I've given up buying bakelite bangles online. But because i've lost some screw-back earrings and pins, i started to produce 40s lookin' jewelry on my own. ~ , I have some spacers( pass smell test-cant get simichrome in Canada) that I hear a clunking with but would really like to have an idea of real bakelite sound when I'm out and about.. Would you consider doing an audio bite? There are, however, a couple of tests that, coupled with a decent working acquaintance with the product, will help you determine whether a piece is legitimate: Sift through your buttons to find possible Bakelite buttons. . Now, off to check all my "plastics". I am so happy to see you replied to my question about identifying bakelite and so professionally too! hello i am mohammad i live in iranI am looking to make bakeliteBut it's very difficult to make transparent color. Carved pieces and popular colors like apple juice, red, green and blue are usually higher than butterscotch and odd marbled colors. Rub the piece with your thumb until it becomes warm and give it a sniff. I use it to polish my flatware as well. It is lighter than catalin. I wasn't sure if that was too much. And your non-Bakelite pieces will now have a hole in them! Thank you for reading me! Bakelite repros are being made every day - and my research has lead me to the conclusion that much (if not all) of it is being made in India. baking soda and water works just as well as metal polish. and all your hints are precious - can't wait to test my own plastics now! AK-74: note different gas block, handguard, a flash hider and stock. love your pictures. If you have a question, please email me at brittanyvavoomvintage@gmail.com. Welcome to Va-Voom Vintage, Pins for Pin-Ups: DIY Brooches for Retro Girls, Free Pattern: 1940s Yoked Slip-On Sweater, Va-Voom Vintage | Vintage Fashion, Hair Tutorials and DIY Style, Bakelite bracelets, a hair brush, buckles and carved button, two-sided Bakelite earrings, which do have seams. If the pink polish has turned yellow, the bracelet is Bakelite. It’s nonconductive and heat-resistant, making it ideal for use in electrical insulators and … Please! Groovy huge Bakelite, Galalith, Flower Power earrings. One way to identify a bakelite button is to run hot water over it and then smell it. Maybe you could share whats too much for bangles, earrings, brooches, etc.Thank you! I don't know much about lucite bags except that they're pretty! I'd like to try to replace the handles some day but haven't found the right ones yet. Thanks, Shannon. And this leads me to a question for you, the bakelite expert: does clear bakelite exist? They may still be collectible even if they’re not Bakelite. https://www.etsy.com/listing/107719815/bakelite-testing-pads-to-test-jewelry. Consider the weight of a piece of plastic jewelry. I have wanted a pair of lucite shoes for ages but I have big, wide feet and haven't found a pair to fit..yet! could help. Now look at your cotton swab tip. Bakelite is quite heavy and you will soon get a sense of how it feels. Sometimes the yellow result is very dark and other times it’s not. I read on many sites about the clunking sound and also some say clanking. Try to rub the bracelet with your thumb until an area warms up. Perhaps, you would like to visit my etsy shop? Bakelite is a fun and highly collectible material. :). I will have to give it another try though, cause you have such a lovely collection!Thanks again for all the wonderful info! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. What a great post, thank you! Another Etsy seller put me on to these bakelite testing pads. At home you can run the piece under hot water (maybe not a Bakelite radio, lol) and release the ‘formaldehyde’ smell easier. After trying the above tests, it should be conclusive weather or not you have a genuine piece of Bakelite. Now look at your cotton swab tip. Black jewelry most likely made of one of the following: plastic, glass, stone, jet, gutta-percha, crepe stone, bog oak, and bakelite. If it smells like camphor or vinegar, it is celluloid. Highly polished pieces feel waxy and slippery, whereas if they have been stripped of their polish pieces can feel slightly abrasive. As for the purses, I'd be cautious about them. While it’s true that Bakelite won’t melt…you could still leave a burn mark. I think my favorite pear shaped brooch, which was my grandma's, may be bakelite, I'm going to get some 409 to test it. :-) Great article, it is very informative; and happy hunting...ahemmm ladies. Although sellers want us to think that Bakelite is so rare and amazing, it really isn't rare at all. Run the piece under hot tap water. They are probably lucite and the seller doesn't know much about them but you never know, there may be some bakelite purses out there! Enjoy the hunt! Bakelite can also be tested using the “hot water” method. Im sorry, I don't know anything about how to make bakelite, Best gal win? Do you have any information about this? They also clunk a certain way when you tap them together. If you put it under hot water, rub it vigorously or poke a hot pin into it it will have no smell. Oct 17, 2018 - Bakelite Handled Flatware This post contains affiliate links. I think the price depends a lot on where you live, where you're shopping and the piece itself. Bakelite is the trade name for the plastic product produced by the Bakelite Corporation, but materials made using the same formula were eventually sold under other trade names in the US and around the world. A household cleaner, where everything is overpriced ever see here in markets. Usually higher than butterscotch and odd marbled colors everything is overpriced like bangles, and it! 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What an elaborate and very informative ; and happy hunting... ahemmm ladies i live in iranI am looking make..., best gal win stain on the inside of the same size they clunk. Center of a piece of suspected Bakelite you want to test i live NYC...