Thanks so much for this fun & helpful posting :). You can identify from the sound whether the piece you are buying is original or not. If it was made in the US it may be Bakelite, but it is most likely nitrocellulose. And cheaper. They can resemble Bakelite, but Bakelite items of the same size are heavier. But Most of All….On the Hunt for Vintage! Please note that you should always ask permission before using chemicals on a dealer's goods. If there are, its not Bakelite. Carved pieces and popular colors like apple juice, red, green and blue are usually higher than butterscotch and odd marbled colors. Bakelite is a fun and highly collectible material. Bakelite Tests. Yes, they look at me weird too. Ivory and clear laminated French Bakelite. If it is Bakelite, it shouldn't melt but it's not worth attempting. :) From what I've read, clear bakelite does exist. So that’s it! First of all, Bakelite pieces are a bit heavier than normal plastic items of the same size. Not sure if it's lucite or another plastic. The $40 one was an online purchase because it was carved and a unique orange color. :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. You’re out on the vintage hunt and come across a…bangle bracelet, let’s say. Antique buttons can be made out of just about anything, from antlers and bone to glass and ceramics to metals and stone. If the item is black Bakelite or lacquered, this test will be negative. 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. Thanks for this post. If it smells chemical-like, like formaldehyde, most likely it’s Bakelite. What an elaborate and very professional post, thank you so much for making it. The Smell Test. One of the easiest and best ways to identify Bakelite jewelry is to tap two pieces together. I'd like to try to replace the handles some day but haven't found the right ones yet. Scrubbing bubbles was once used to test Bakelite but it has been found to strip the surface of the plastic. 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 can be opaque, translucent, or transparent. In 1907 Bakelite was invented, but it took until 1912 for the product to be used to mold more complex pieces. I scored a huge bag of necklaces from a church rummage sale this past weekend and am *hoping* there may be one or two bakelite treasures amongst the lot but my instinct tells me it's a lot of plastic, but from what I can see it's all vintage anyway and I love so much of it! It should have the smell of formaldehyde. Bakelite pieces also have a certain feel and look. Highly polished pieces feel waxy and slippery, whereas if they have been stripped of their polish pieces can feel slightly abrasive. Bakelite is a condensation polymer of formaldehyde and phenol. My bangles range from $1-$40. In other words, to get a dog pin, you'd pour plastic into a dog-shaped mold. I'm pretty good to find everything else my little heart desires, but I've never once spotted bakelite! 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: They call it "prystal". Thank you for your time and help. The later development of other plastics makes it sometimes hard to tell at first glance if an object is made from Bakelite or not. 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. 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. It's like everyone thinks the first notch after the "1/2" mark is 3/4! Also, Simichrome is great for polishing Bakelite. 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! after you get to touch the piece, you can really begin the investigation. Plastic will show no color. Black jewelry most likely made of one of the following: plastic, glass, stone, jet, gutta-percha, crepe stone, bog oak, and bakelite. How to identify Bakelite Although the best way is to smell them, we will also focus on some overall characteristics. Your email address will not be published. Sometimes the yellow result is very dark and other times it’s not. How to Identify Antique Vintage Buttons. Some say they smell like cod liver oil or have a sweet chemical smell. could help. I prefer to use the polish because it’s a small tube I can just keep by my desk. If it is Lucite, it will have no discernable scent. If it’s genuine, the Q-tip will show a yellow, brown or orange tint. And this leads me to a question for you, the bakelite expert: does clear bakelite exist? Rub the piece with your thumb until it becomes warm and give it a sniff. valuable plastic jewelry. The chemicals should be rinsed off right away. Simichrome polish is pink. Identifying bakelite can be easy if you know what to look for. 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. I read every single comment (even on old posts) and they make my day! Next step. They must think I'm crazy but I do it anyway :P. I've given up buying bakelite bangles online. If you feel a line running around the center of a bangle, it is not Bakelite. I wouldn't pay that much for a super skinny spacer unless maybe it was heavily carved or blue (my favorite color). hello i am mohammad i live in iranI am looking to make bakeliteBut it's very difficult to make transparent color. They may still be collectible even if they’re not Bakelite. If you put it under hot water, rub it vigorously or poke a hot pin into it it will have no smell. While it’s true that Bakelite won’t melt…you could still leave a burn mark. Thanks, Shannon. 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! Oh you're too lovable! Now look at your cotton swab tip. Your email address will not be published. For the rub test, if you smell your thumb, it works as well as smelling the piece, but it’s less obvious what you are doing. I don't know much about lucite bags except that they're pretty! 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