It was utilized to make all kinds of pieces including brooches, rings, bangles, necklaces, dress clips, etc. Bakelite comes in a variety of colours: black, red, yellow, green, butterscotch, apple juice, orange, etc. The rarest Bakelite colours are purple and blue.
What are the colors of Bakelite?
Bakelite in solid colors is the most recognizable type even without employing testing measures. The most readily found colors are yellow, ranging from butter yellow to dark butterscotch, followed by various shades of green.
What is the most valuable Bakelite?
The most valuable Bakelite pieces are wide pieces with heavy, deep, and sometimes intricate carving, reverse carving and painting, or with complicated lamination. Dotted pieces are always very popular. Large figurals—pins, necklaces, etc. —have also held onto their value.
How can you tell vintage Bakelite?
To use, dampen a cotton swab with 409 and rub it gently on the inside of the item being tested. If it is Bakelite, the swab will turn yellow. If a piece is lacquered, it may test negative with 409. Black Bakelite pieces often fail this test as well.
How can you tell if a bracelet is Bakelite?
The first quick thing to look for: Bakelite will never have mold or form markings on it. If you feel a line running around the center of a bangle, it is not Bakelite. Another way of identifying Bakelite is with Simichrome polish which is a pink polish made for cleaning metals.
What is Bakelite jewelry worth?
By the 50s, Bakelite was no longer being made, and its jewelry languished in secondhand stores for pennies. Today, Hyman says, “The prices have skyrocketed.” A pin that sold for 79 cents now could be worth $300 to $500. An elaborate necklace with matching brooch and bracelet could bring up to $3,000.
Why is Bakelite so collectible?
Bakelite jewelry is highly sought after. It’s bright colors and beautiful sheen have attracted several generations to its unique qualities. Values remain high and continue to rise, especially for highly carved pieces, figural shapes, pieces in red and/or green, and those that are laminated (as I mentioned above).
How can I tell if my bracelet is Bakelite?
Is Bakelite jewelry worth anything?
No matter what type of piece you have, genuine Bakelite jewelry is worth money. Many simple necklaces and bracelets sell for $100 or less, but more elaborate designs with multiple colors or intricate carving can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
How can you tell the difference between Bakelite and celluloid?
Bakelite will emit a smell like formaldehyde when placed under hot water. Bakelite is a sturdy material and is heavier than Celluloid. Bakelite is denser and heavier than Celluloid. Hold two pieces of jewelry in your hands and compare the weight.
What is the difference between celluloid and Bakelite?
Bakelite is a sturdy material and is heavier than Celluloid. Bakelite is denser and heavier than Celluloid. Hold two pieces of jewelry in your hands and compare the weight. Simichrome Polish is a non-abrasive cream that can be purchased in hardware stores.
What is the history of Bakelite jewelry?
Bakelite was invented in the early 1900s by Dr. Leo Baekeland and his team of chemists. Although some pieces in muted colors without carving were made earlier, jewelry cleverly crafted from phenolic plastics became really popular in the 1930s.
Should I buy high dollar Bakelite jewelry?
It is wise to do some research before buying high dollar Bakelite jewelry if you want to make sure you are purchasing a vintage piece. Other highly carved imported pieces have been made with materials resembling Bakelite, and collectors many times refer to these as “Fakelite” since they were meant to deceive collectors.
Should Bakelite be marked?
And when the modern Bakelite artisans do mark them, others sometimes remove the marks to sell them as old pieces as they change hands. Even when they’re sold as “marriages” or reworked pieces, these items will unfortunately end up fooling an unsuspecting collector if they aren’t permanently marked.
How much does Bakelite sell for?
Many of the examples shown here are quite hard to find and reflect prices paid by avid collectors who compete at auction to own these pieces. Other pieces shown, which generally sell for $200 and less, are fairly common. Since the 1990s, many pieces made of authentic, old Bakelite have been produced by artisans.
