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. As you mentioned, this method and the 409 method don’t always register a true result. Bakelite jewelry became especially popular in the 1930’s and 1940’s, after a wider assortment of colors was introduced. If it is Bakelite, the cloth should turn yellow with ease (although the color may vary from light to dark). Value of Old Plastic Jewelry Black jewelry most likely made of one of the following: plastic, glass, stone, jet, gutta-percha, crepe stone, bog oak, and bakelite… 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. It’s important to know different ways to identify Bakelite jewelry, so … In the first half of the 20th century, Bakelite was used widely for game pieces, billiard balls, phones, jewelry, buttons and more. Look for wear like scratches and patina that new pieces of plastic don't normally exhibit. Bakelite or its cousin, Catalin, was used for lots more than jewelry. Black Bakelite pieces often fail this test as well. There is something magical about Bakelite. Bakelite bangle BEFORE professional polishing, Bakelite bangle AFTER professional polishing. The first two pictures are of the same bracelet before and after being professionally polished. Rub the item in question vigorously with your thumb until you feel the plastic heat up. Thank you Anita! Simichrome Polish is a non-abrasive cream formulated to clean metals. However, pieces purchased at antique stores or estate sales are usually in vintage styles and easy to identify when compared with modern jewelry … It could be Bakelite, a synthetic compound developed in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, a Belgian-American chemist. It came into the limelight after various colors of Bakelite were introduced in the market. Buyer beware. A word of caution: avoid using the "hot pin" test, where a pin or needle warmed by a heat source is pressed into the plastic item. Following up with the hot water test when you get home is an option to consider. We buy and sell Shultz bakelite bangles, necklaces, bracelets and brooches. Plain Bakelite jewelry is plentiful, but reproductions also abound. Love learning about how to test for it. First, Bakelite and most of the other early plastics have a noticeable density and heft. If you love vintage and love living the vintage lifestyle, you’re in the right place. It was originally created for use in the industrial world. Just because your item isn’t Bakelite doesn’t mean it isn’t vintage or a worthwhile purchase. These easy-to-stow pads provide a similar result to Simichrome or the 409 method mentioned below, and have proven to be quite reliable. However … Continue reading "How to Identify Bakelite … One way to start learning about Bakelite identification is listening for the familiar "clunk" when two pieces you know to be Bakelite are tapped together. Second, Bakelite … Use all your senses in concert to help you determine whether or not an object you are examining is Bakelite. Most of the early 19th century uses for Bakelite have fallen by the wayside, the demand for the vintage jewelry continues. Examine the piece with a jeweler's loupe or another type of magnifier, if needed. Bakelite testing pads are also an alternative to carrying a tube of Simichrome polish with you when you shop. Your email address will not be published. With some practice, you'll learn to use all your senses to correctly identify Bakelite. Black Bakelite pieces often fail this test as well. I’ll have to try the hot water method. What's the Difference Between Bakelite and Catalin? There are a number of wonderfully talented artists using old bakelite stock to create new items. I've been a collector of Bakelite for a few years and I love my beautiful collection dearly but I don't think I'd wear it at all if it weren't affordable in my neck of the woods. Scrubbing Bubbles was once the standard cleaner to use for Bakelite testing, but Formula 409 is now recommended instead. As I have not personally tried it, it’s not something I can vouch for. Bakelite Handled Flatware This post contains affiliate links. In this method, the piece of plastic is placed under very hot running tap water. Bakelite's unique properties lent itself … How to test for Bakelite plastic. Use the other tests above, especially the hot water test, to confirm authenticity if a piece you strongly suspect to be Bakelite fails with 409. See them here.. Once you know that distinctive smell, you will never forget it. There are many ways to test valuable Bakelite pieces, and several of them require using only your senses. Etsy has a surprisingly good range of Art Deco furniture, interior decor, art and prints, 1920s and 1930s fashion, accessories, jewellery and Bakelite… There’s just something special about it, the colors, designs, feel, and that sound. Bakelite feels heavier when … Shultz bakelite Jewelry. Although sellers want us to think that Bakelite … That wonderful clunky sound. The first quick thing to look for: Bakelite will never have mold or form markings on it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Bakelite is developed by the Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland in Yonkers, New York, in 1907. Buy vintage plastics on the Bakelite … If so, it’s Bakelite. 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. And thanks for the reminder about the seam. Also, look for tiny chips on the edges of carvings. Home / Jewelry Articles & Information / How to Identify and Test Vintage Bakelite Jewelry Bakelite was developed in the early 1900s but didn’t hit its stride for jewelry manufacturing purposes until the late 1920s through the early 1940s, when both money and the metals normally used in jewelry … If it’s true Bakelite it should have a somewhat sweet old chemical smell to it similar to formaldehyde. You will often notice the heavier feel of Bakelite. Now smell it. Weight: Bakelite is lightweight, so anything heavy should raise a red flag. The great majority of Bakelite jewelry was made by hand from stock shapes of raw material. Look at my collections of Bakelite Jewelry and learn more. Hold another type of plastic you have identified in one hand, and a piece you know to be Bakelite of approximately the same size in the other. I show the hot water method & simichrome method. Bakelite jewelry will generally make a deep clunking sound when tapped together, unlike any other jewelry. While originally used for industrial purposes it later found its way into the jewelry, radio & toy market. Required fields are marked *. Identifying by Weight. Curious about a flea market find? Widely considered the first synthetic plastic, Bakelite items are a hot commodity today among collectors of vintage jewelry and mechanical parts. And remember our motto: Friends don’t let friends buy fake vintage. Identifying bakelite isn’t hard although it takes a bit of learning. Browse free vintage patterns, retro hair tutorials and affordable vintage clothing. Some involve intricate carvings, overdyes, and laminates or inserts that were never seen in the past. 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… Some of my earliest memories are of digging through my Grandma's buttons, hankies, and jewelry. Another way of identifying Bakelite is with Simichrome polish which is a pink polish made for cleaning metals. Another note regarding Bakelite. If you want to buy Bakelite jewelry or would like to verify an existing piece, follow these simple guides in identifying a Bakelite… We’re here to help with that. Identifying bakelite can be easy if you know what to look for. Again, you may need to employ more than one test to rule out a false positive (or negative) result. Carvings: Because Bakelite is so durable, it’s easy to carve into so don’t be surprised to find bangles and other jewelry … If you feel a line running around the center of a bangle, it is not Bakelite. Identifying Bakelite Smell: Experienced collectors can identify Bakelite … There are two simple ways to tell a vintage piece from a later copy. Bakelite was discovered in 1909 by a New York chemist Belgian-born Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland. Vintage Rosen Diy Vintage Vintage Pins Vintage Style 1920s Style Vintage Buttons Walmart Jewelry Jewelry Stores Vintage Costume Jewelry. Anyone who likes vintage jewelry knows the allure of Bakelite. If a seller is honest about what they are selling, I find no reason not to enjoy these new products. You can do a Google search for “Bakelite testing pads” to find out where to buy. Your email address will not be published. However, there are many fabulous new items made to look like vintage bakelite. Amazing difference isn’t it! You can identify from the sound whether the piece you are buying is original or not. This highly collectible jewelry became popular in the 1930s and was sold throughout the 1940s. She taught me to see the beauty in everyday items made to last. Lucite is still used today in the production of some jewelry. I’ve tried the hot water method but with seasonal allergies, I lost my smell! Wholesale Bakelite gemstone jewelry. 10 More Vintage Words Used to Describe Antiques and Vintage, Things We Liked This Week (7/8/18 – 7/14/18), 6 Fabulous Ideas for Repurposing Vintage Doilies, 10 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in a Pandemic, How to Use Vintage Christmas Decor Safely, Vintage Christmas Linens: Collecting, Using and Caring for them, Found Vintage Story: Antique Sleigh Bells. However, old Bakelite jewelry is still quite sought-after, and a lot of collectors are willing to pay large sums for the old, retro designs before the middle of the 20 th century.. That’s so both because of the novelty factor of it and the idea of collecting something with so much history in it, as well as the fact that Bakelite jewelry … Tap two pieces of jewelry together One of the easiest and best ways to identify Bakelite jewelry is to tap two pieces together. 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. Think electrical insulators, distributor caps on cars, radio parts, telephones, etc. 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. How to you test if something is bakelite jewelry or buttons? Just place your item in hot water (not boiling) for about 15 seconds. Testing your plastic jewelry can involve a few different senses, including sight, smell, and feel. Here’s an in-depth article titled “Is it Bakelite?” from Real or Repro, an informative resource offered by RubyLane. Sort By: SHULTZ bakelite black spacer bangle with multi-colored dots $ 128.00 Buy Now; SHULTZ bakelite … She's written over 400 articles on antique collecting for The Spruce Crafts. The new batch of Bakelite colors captured the imagination of more and more jewelry … Some great examples of artisan Bakelite pieces made from old stock include Brad Elfrink of Elvenkrafte Studios and Jorge Caicedo Montes De Oca of The Art of Bakelite. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look at the gorgeous Bakelite Jewelry on Etsy! This very distinctive sound is often heard when two or more bangles made of this popular plastic are worn at the same time. 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. There are online sellers who sell Bakelite testing pads that you can purchase and carry with you to test items before you purchase. Consider the weight of a piece of plastic jewelry. 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 easiest and safest way to test to identify Bakelite is the hot water test which is as simple as it sounds. Bakelite feels heavier when compared to some other types of plastics, like celluloid as one example. There are many forms of vintage plastics and resins that were used to create fabulous pieces of jewelry, purses, household items, and more. 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. 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