Pretty Things - Bakelite

Vintage Bakelite Bangles from Brighter Bakelite

I LOVE bakelite bangles! I love the colours and I especially love the sound they make when they tap against each other!

But what is bakelite?
One of the first plastics made from synthetic components, Bakelite was used for its electrical nonconductivity and heat-resistant properties in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings, and such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, and children's toys. It was developed by Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland in New York in 1907.

Here are some snippets about bakelite jewellery from About.com
- Butterscotch and pea green are the most common and, generally, the least expensive colors.
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- Heavily carved bangles, bangles with polka dots or multiple colors laminated together, and figural pins are among the most expensive items sought by Bakelite collector's today.
- Bakelite can be tested for authenticity by feel, sight, sound and smell.

Due to the popularity of vintage bakelite, there are unfortunately other plastics being passed off as bakelite - sometimes referred to as 'Fakelite' by those in the know! During my research I found quite a number of 'tests' to determine if something really is make of bakelite, and have included a couple here.

MOST ACCURATE: The Hot Water Test
The best test is to run the piece under hot tap water.
If it smells a little like your old high school chemistry lab (formaldehyde), it's Bakelite.
If it smells like vicks vapo-rub (camphor), it's Celluloid.
If it smells like burnt milk, it's Galalith (1920's).
If it smells clean, or like nothing at all, it's lucite or acrylic.

The Simichrome Test
Carry a tube of Simichrome chrome cleaner (available at flea markets, some hardware stores, and Pep Boys) and a few Q-tips with you. Put a very small amount of Simichrome on the Q-tip. With the dealer's permission, rub a tiny (1/4") spot on an unobtrusive place of the jewelry with the Q-tip. Then look at the Q-tip. If the polish changes color from pink to amber-yellow, it's Bakelite. If it stays pink, it's some other plastic. Remember to wipe the polish off the jewelry when you're done!
Note: This is not always an accurate test. Some pieces of black Bakelite do not turn the Simichrome from pink to yellow, even though they're Bakelite.

Do you have any favourite pieces of bakelite jewellery? I'd love to hear about them if you do!