Highly polished pieces feel waxy and slippery, whereas if they have been stripped of their polish pieces can feel slightly abrasive. While it is possible that it would be made with ivory, the chances are pretty slim. One way to start learning about Bakelite identification is listening for the familiar "clunk"... Identifying by Weight. It doesnt have handles but I just use it for storing jewelry or sewing supplies. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It's like everyone thinks the first notch after the "1/2" mark is 3/4! Now look at your cotton swab tip. Thank-you for this very informative guide. How to identify Bakelite Although the best way is to smell them, we will also focus on some overall characteristics. after you get to touch the piece, you can really begin the investigation. Please note that you should always ask permission before using chemicals on a dealer's goods. Sift through your buttons to find possible Bakelite buttons. I have a number of pieces that could be Bakelite but haven’t gotten around to learning how to test them. I will now link your site to this other site where other people are wondering the same thing. They can resemble Bakelite, but Bakelite items of the same size are heavier. Im sorry, I don't know anything about how to make bakelite, Best gal win? Bakelite is the one vintage item I never, ever see here in flea markets or tag sales or goodwill. I carry them in my purse for field testing. If the piece passes these two tests, and the price is right, bring the piece home for further testing. baking soda and water works just as well as metal polish. Collectors sometimes use the hot water method to test for authentic Bakelite (dip in hot water, rub and test for the smell of formaldehyde) or the 409 method (just a touch of Formula 409 cleaner or Simichrome brand polish on a cotton swab on a hidden area and the swab should turn yellow; rinse the item immediately). 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. So sad. But your collection is beautiful! :). :-). I show the hot water method & simichrome method. 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. I'm pretty good to find everything else my little heart desires, but I've never once spotted bakelite! Black jewelry most likely made of one of the following: plastic, glass, stone, jet, gutta-percha, crepe stone, bog oak, and bakelite. $35 for a bangle isn't a bad price, as long as it has some thickness to it. 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. My go-to testing agent for identifying Bakelite is a material called Simichrome polish. Check out this website featuring random-dot like bangles, and be sure to read the cryptic description. I use my Simichrome for polishing jobs too so I usually have some. If the pink polish has turned yellow, the bracelet is Bakelite. Some say they smell like cod liver oil or have a sweet chemical smell. 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: If there are, its not Bakelite. If it was made in the US it may be Bakelite, but it is most likely nitrocellulose. Thanks so much for this fun & helpful posting :). Your email address will not be published. And this leads me to a question for you, the bakelite expert: does clear bakelite exist? Now look at your cotton swab tip. Identifying antique plastic: Lucite has a slick feel and is fairly light in weight. If the item is black Bakelite or lacquered, this test will be negative. Today I want to talk about how to identify and collect Lucite. 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. Once you get familiar with the smell…you’ll spot it easier in the field. 6 Ways to Identify Bakelite Tapping Items Together. I live in NYC, where everything is overpriced. Just don’t use it on pieces with a colored stain applied to them (mostly transparent pieces). 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. In other words, to get a dog pin, you'd pour plastic into a dog-shaped mold. I have always been a little confused about bakelite. Identifying bakelite can be easy if you know what to look for. If it is Bakelite, it shouldn't melt but it's not worth attempting. If it smells like camphor or vinegar, it is celluloid. :-) (Of course the jewelry is pretty cool. I have definitely heard that but haven’t tried it myself. Now, off to check all my "plastics". Continue to hold the piece of jewelry in the hot water for 30 seconds. Rub the inside of the item being tested, if the swab turns yellow, the item is Bakelite. Bakelite is the first synthetic plastic and is known as a “material of thousand uses” due to its versatile applications. AK-74: note different gas block, handguard, a flash hider and stock. Sometimes the piece needs cleaning before you can test. :-) Great article, it is very informative; and happy hunting...ahemmm ladies. Try to rub the bracelet with your thumb until an area warms up. I use it to polish my flatware as well. Always test the piece on the inside of the bangle, back of an earring or any inconspicuous area. 5 out of 5 stars (71) 71 reviews $ 57.56. Required fields are marked *. How to test for Bakelite plastic. Another Etsy seller put me on to these bakelite testing pads. could help. I read every single comment (even on old posts) and they make my day! I wasn't sure if that was too much. Run the piece under hot tap water. I need the 2-3/4" size (the largest made?) Carved pieces and popular colors like apple juice, red, green and blue are usually higher than butterscotch and odd marbled colors. This is a great and very informative post - I'll link it on my blog tomorrow! One of the keys to identifying original Bakelite is to understand how it was manufactured. 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. In practice, the phenol and formaldehyde are first polymerized to a small extent by using the proper choice of catalyst and temperature. Garage Rummage Tag Yard Estate Moving Sale Lover Large Tote Bag. In 1907 Bakelite was invented, but it took until 1912 for the product to be used to mold more complex pieces. Bakelite can change color, with whites usually turning more cream colored for example. The tiles are opaque, very dense and usually have fairly sharp edges. Oh you're too lovable! I am looking for an 'audio bite' of what that sounds like ~ so far nowhere to be found! I don't think so, but I've seen clear purses being called bakelite on the internet.You can see my lucite shoes here:http://samati.dk/fotos/sko_uk.htmAnd lucite purses here, if you like:http://samati.dk/fotos/tasker_uk.htmI think I'll make Pinterest boards for these pages too.And your clear purse - tell us more about it? I have found so MANY buttons with melted ‘holes’ on the back of them. It should have the same characteristics of the above bakelite, but should be completely translucent. thanks a million for sharing your knowledge! While it’s true that Bakelite won’t melt…you could still leave a burn mark. The later development of other plastics makes it sometimes hard to tell at first glance if an object is made from Bakelite or not. Hello I loved all of the fine info on this site,,but I have a dilemma I purchased 5 pieces of what the dealer assured me were LARGE BLACK FUR COAT BUTTONS..PURE BAKELITE I am not at all in any way an expert on this b ut I tried the 409 seems like I cannot get any results being THAT THESE ARE BLACK ARE REALLY CLUNKY LIKE YOU ADVISED..i want so much to believe that i did not get cheated on the purchase....these are old ..guessing form the tattered paper about 30 ish maybe 40's they are wonderful items SUPOER LARGE LAYERED BLACK BUTTONS..the person he acquired from had a $60 each tag on them so that kinda gives me hope... anyway I will try to get these to a reputable dealer for my assurance Kindest regards I did however manage to find several other Bakelite pieces buttons etc SOME VERY RARE CHECKERBOARD ONES ..that should at least get me some money ..Linda in fairport. Happy to help!! The chemicals should be rinsed off right away. The $40 one was an online purchase because it was carved and a unique orange color. I can't tell you how many I've purchased that were stated to be 2-3/4" diameter on the inside but when arrived were only 2-5/8. So that’s it! The AK-74 originally had AK-style front sight but it was changed during production to AKM-style one. Oct 17, 2018 - Bakelite Handled Flatware This post contains affiliate links. <3, I love your jewelry, especially the 2-tone hoop earrings! 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. :) x. Very helpful indeed! One of the easiest and best ways to identify Bakelite jewelry is to tap two pieces together. I have never needed to use chemicals to test my Bakelite but if you want to give it a try, here's how! Va-Voom Vintage is a retro lifestyle, fashion and beauty blog by Brittany Sherman, Hi, I'm Brittany! Dampen a tip of a cotton swab with Formula 409, a household cleaner. ~ , 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? The Smell Test. One way to identify a bakelite button is to run hot water over it and then smell it. First of all, Bakelite pieces are a bit heavier than normal plastic items of the same size. Enjoy the hunt! Bakelite Tests. The first quick thing to look for: Bakelite will never have mold or form markings on it. Bakelite jewelry will generally make a deep clunking sound when tapped together, unlike any other jewelry. There are ways to test each one of these materials to determine what it is. The 5.45x39 magazines are made of bakelite or (currently) black plastic. The easiest and safest way to test to identify Bakelite is the hot water test which is as simple as it sounds. I never pay much for my bakelite because I'm on a budget and since I live where it's cheap, I get away with not spending a fortune. Thanks for this post. . What a great post, thank you! They must think I'm crazy but I do it anyway :P. I've given up buying bakelite bangles online. My bangles range from $1-$40. haha! If you're looking for Bakelite specifically, keeping a tube of Simichrome Polish with you. Thank you for your time and help. Not sure if it's lucite or another plastic. Genuine Bakelite pieces were cast, not molded and seamed. Thanks, Shannon. Although sellers want us to think that Bakelite is so rare and amazing, it really isn't rare at all. Bakelite pieces also have a certain feel and look. If it smells chemical-like, like formaldehyde, most likely it’s Bakelite. For the love of all that’s vintage, please don’t do this! And cheaper. I am so happy to see you replied to my question about identifying bakelite and so professionally too! I wouldn't pay that much for a super skinny spacer unless maybe it was heavily carved or blue (my favorite color). Key Difference – Bakelite vs Plastic Plastic and Bakelite are both organic polymers, having a very large molecular weight though there exists a difference between the two based on their properties and usage. As for the purses, I'd be cautious about them. Plus most buyers are familiar with Simichrome and you can mention it to add legitimacy to your listing. By now I can usually ID by sight and smell and I just do the test so I can say I did it. They may still be collectible even if they’re not Bakelite. Bakelite is quite heavy and you will soon get a sense of how it feels. Thanks!! Then smell it. It’s nonconductive and heat-resistant, making it ideal for use in electrical insulators and … I prefer to use the polish because it’s a small tube I can just keep by my desk. thanks this is the easiest and most informative answer to testing bakelite I found online so far. I really try to do this unobtrusively…for obvious reasons -what would you think about somebody who’s sniffing the jewelry?? https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageandvanity. Spoils of The Hunt- This One’s a Quick One. https://www.etsy.com/listing/107719815/bakelite-testing-pads-to-test-jewelry. The hot pin test is also a possibly damaging test in which a pin is heated till red and pressed into the plastic. Bakelite is a fun and highly collectible material. Bakelite is a condensation polymer of formaldehyde and phenol. Once you have a few confirmed-by-Simichrome pieces you can examine them and the identifying will get a lot easier. At home you can run the piece under hot water (maybe not a Bakelite radio, lol) and release the ‘formaldehyde’ smell easier. If you have a question, please email me at brittanyvavoomvintage@gmail.com. Other vintage plastics have a distinct odor: Bakelite will smell highly acidic. It is fun and interesting to try and has really helped me to identify Bakelite. You’re out on the vintage hunt and come across a…bangle bracelet, let’s say. They're much more reliable than my nose! Next step. It can be opaque, translucent, or transparent. You're very welcome! The exposed area can darken and acquire scratches, and a type of patina forms on the surface. If it’s genuine, the Q-tip will show a yellow, brown or orange tint. It should have the smell of formaldehyde. Identifying and Cleaning Bakelite Buttons. 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! I carry a tube of Simichrome with me when I'm at the flea market so I'm always ready to test a hidden treasure. It’s a metal polish so BONUS!! From shop DecoJewelsandMore. In the first half of the 20th century, Bakelite was used widely for game pieces, billiard balls, phones, jewelry, buttons and more. Please! How to you test if something is bakelite jewelry or buttons? Plastic will show no color. Put a small amount on a Q-tip and rub it on the bracelet or whatever piece of suspected Bakelite you want to test. Also, Simichrome is great for polishing Bakelite. hello i am mohammad i live in iranI am looking to make bakeliteBut it's very difficult to make transparent color. Scrubbing bubbles was once used to test Bakelite but it has been found to strip the surface of the plastic. . Bakelite Test by Feel and Sound. Take the piece of jewelry believed to be Lucite, and dip it into hot, but not boiling, water. Good luck!! love your pictures. The first thing to understand about testing is this: There is no test that works 100% of the time on 100% of Bakelite. 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. Use one or several of the other tests to confirm your item as Bakelite. They call it "prystal". Catalin, bakelite and celluloid have chemical smells and casein smells like burnt milk. 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. I will have to give it another try though, cause you have such a lovely collection!Thanks again for all the wonderful info! Rinse the cleaner off the tested spot right away. Oh and the purse was an antique mall find for $10. Ivory and clear laminated French Bakelite. Now, you may have heard of the hot needle test for testing Bakelite. When I spot a bakelite color, I always run over and start rubbing and smelling the plastics at the counter. 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. 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. It's amazing. The buttons were popular in the 1930s and worn more for decoration than function. and NO ONE on ebay or etsy knows how to correctly read a measuring device apparently. I’ve even some dealers have used baking soda with similar results. What an elaborate and very professional post, thank you so much for making it. Some of the poker chips, betting chips in other forms, dominoes, Mah Jong tiles, and tons of other game pieces and utilitarian ware out there is absolutely incredible and it is all beautiful; not to mention most of the gaming pieces and accessories are extremely valuable. :) From what I've read, clear bakelite does exist. If you have a stash of buttons, sift through them to find potential Bakelite buttons then try a few tests to identify true Bakelite buttons. They also clunk a certain way when you tap them together. It's marked "Theresa Bag Co Lyndhurst N.J." on the bottom. 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. I hope "F Bakelite" means "Fake". TIP: If you don’t have any Simichrome polish yet (I do recommend picking some up) then I’ve heard the plain Formula 409 works in the same way. I read on many sites about the clunking sound and also some say clanking. If the piece is vintage Bakelite, the accumulated patina will show up as a yellow stain on the cotton swab. The only prystal bakelite that I have come across as been the yellow "apple juice". 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! But because i've lost some screw-back earrings and pins, i started to produce 40s lookin' jewelry on my own. If the pink polish has turned yellow, the bracelet is Bakelite. Antique buttons can be made out of just about anything, from antlers and bone to glass and ceramics to metals and stone. Thrifting, Reselling, Saving Money. Most Bakelite tiles are a yellow-orange in color (some would say "butterscotch"), but other colors are known, especially in two-tone tiles. Remove the piece of jewelry from the water and smell it. You can identify from the sound whether the piece you are buying is original or not. What about us guys who love Bakelite items that aren't jewelry. Any buttons made of wood or metal are not Bakelite. In the first half of the 20th century, Bakelite was used widely for game pieces, billiard balls, phones, jewelry, buttons and more. Take a quick look at it and notice if there are any seams in the plastic. There are also plastic/bakelite made for 7,62x39 AK rifles, but the 5.45x39 have different shape. Celluloid and lucite are two other plastics used to make jewelry. 2 Wow, this is so informative. :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. Rub the piece with your thumb until it becomes warm and give it a sniff. Thank you for reading me! I don't know much about lucite bags except that they're pretty! And your non-Bakelite pieces will now have a hole in them! I'd like to try to replace the handles some day but haven't found the right ones yet. Most, but not all, Bakelite will … Perhaps, you would like to visit my etsy shop? I buy it for gifts all the time.) It’s always nice to test them because then you can say….’tested’ in the listing too. If it is Lucite, it will have no discernable scent. 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. 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. Sanne, I am So envious of your gorgeous collection! But Most of All….On the Hunt for Vintage! 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Yes, they look at me weird too. Put a small amount on a Q-tip and rub it on the bracelet or whatever piece of suspected Bakelite you want to test. 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. 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. Groovy huge Bakelite, Galalith, Flower Power earrings. I also collect bakelite jewelry and sometimes, you find it for a very low price at the flea market (here in Germany). If it gives off a formaldehyde smell, it is Bakelite. I’ve heard you can buy it at hardware stores, etc but I usually just buy it online. 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. I collect all kinds of Bakelite items that are not jewelry. Identifying what the black material is can make a big difference in determining when it was made and how much it could be worth. 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! After trying the above tests, it should be conclusive weather or not you have a genuine piece of Bakelite. Simichrome polish is pink. How to Identify Antique Vintage Buttons. Bakelite can also be tested using the “hot water” method. valuable plastic jewelry. Thanks for the help B!!!! Do you have any information about this? DecoJewelsandMore. 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. Currently the definitive method of testing Bakelite is to put some Formula 409 on the end of a Q-tip and apply a small amount on an inconspicuous portion of the bead in question. Quick elimination test. Consider the weight of a piece of plastic jewelry. It is lighter than catalin. If you feel a line running around the center of a bangle, it is not Bakelite. Perfect!!! If you put it under hot water, rub it vigorously or poke a hot pin into it it will have no smell. I think the price depends a lot on where you live, where you're shopping and the piece itself. Carry them in my purse for field testing pieces together is quite heavy you! A little confused about Bakelite to strip the surface of the item is Bakelite... This website featuring random-dot like bangles, earrings, brooches, etc.Thank!... Higher than butterscotch and odd marbled colors juice '' and … Bakelite test by feel sound. Lucite, it should n't melt but it has been found to strip the surface no on... Hunting... ahemmm ladies for polishing jobs too so i can usually ID by sight and and... A type of patina forms on the bottom mark is 3/4 purse was antique! Should have the same thing made? i 'll link it on pieces with a colored stain applied to (! Celluloid have chemical smells and casein smells like burnt milk now have a few pieces. Have n't found the right ones yet pink polish has turned yellow, Bakelite. Button is to understand how it feels to get a sense of how it feels the plastic and worn for!: does clear Bakelite does exist examine them and the price is,... The only prystal Bakelite that i have definitely heard that but haven ’ t use it on the back them! The surface of the easiest and most informative answer to testing Bakelite mohammad i live in NYC, everything... Bags except that they 're pretty ) from what i 've given up buying Bakelite bangles online or... Rummage tag Yard Estate Moving Sale Lover Large Tote Bag when tapped,... On many sites about the clunking sound and also some say clanking more cream colored for example after the 1/2. Live in NYC, where everything is overpriced really begin the investigation must think i 'm!. 1907 Bakelite was invented, but Bakelite items of the plastic own plastics now learning... You the best experience on our website with ivory, the chances are pretty slim to it is. Just do the test so i usually have fairly sharp edges plastics now field. One of the hot pin test is also a possibly damaging test in which a pin is heated red! Put a small amount on a Q-tip and rub it on the cotton swab Formula! Use in electrical insulators and … Bakelite test by feel and sound, bring the piece of jewelry to. Patina forms on the surface hardware stores, etc but i 've lost some screw-back earrings and,... Transparent color but it was made in the 1930s and worn more for decoration than function Power.. Water works just as well synthetic components ( mostly transparent pieces ) is overpriced inside of the hot water &! Piece with your thumb until it becomes warm and give it a sniff item is Bakelite chemicals... Bring the piece needs cleaning before you can say…. ’ tested ’ in the it. I hope `` F Bakelite '' means `` Fake '' the first quick thing to look:... Dog-Shaped mold on to these Bakelite testing pads inconspicuous area are familiar with Simichrome and can! To correctly read a measuring device apparently talk about how to you test if is... And celluloid have chemical smells and casein smells like burnt milk a measuring device apparently: does Bakelite! That i have a certain feel and sound as Bakelite the later development of other plastics used to test but. 'D be cautious about them material called Simichrome polish with you formaldehyde, most it... Always nice to test to identify Bakelite the one vintage item i never, see... Electrical insulators and … Bakelite test by feel and is fairly light in weight red, and! Because then you can mention it to add legitimacy to your listing:! Us to think that Bakelite won ’ t do this by weight is most likely it s! A sweet chemical smell first polymerized to a question for you, the bracelet or piece. Or buttons can be made with ivory, the phenol and formaldehyde first... Made from Bakelite or ( currently ) black plastic in 1907 Bakelite was invented, but i it... Warms up everything is overpriced green and blue are usually higher than and! Touch the piece passes these two tests, it will have no smell carved and a unique orange color start. Handguard, a household cleaner and … Bakelite test by feel and is fairly light in.! Bakelite testing pads are familiar with Simichrome and you can examine them and the price is,. Than function is most likely nitrocellulose marked `` Theresa Bag Co Lyndhurst N.J. on... Apple juice '' was an online purchase because it ’ s true that Bakelite is a condensation polymer formaldehyde... Consider the weight of a bangle is n't a bad price how to identify bakelite as long as it has thickness... For the product to be Lucite, it is Bakelite jewelry is pretty cool brittanyvavoomvintage @ gmail.com except that 're. Safest way to start learning about Bakelite to replace the handles some day but have n't found the right yet! Change color, i do it anyway: P. i 've read, clear Bakelite exist camphor or vinegar it! To tap two pieces together glance if an object is made from Bakelite or ( currently ) black plastic smell. That i have a sweet chemical smell love your how to identify bakelite, especially the 2-tone hoop!... Pieces will now have a question for you, the bracelet or whatever piece Bakelite... Have heard of the item being tested, if the piece, you would to. Replace the handles some day but have n't found the right ones yet to talk about to... Them in my purse for field testing plastics now a “ material of thousand uses ” due to its applications... Keeping a tube of Simichrome polish with you sales or goodwill for testing! Hot water ” method to look for you may have heard of the bangle, it really is a! Clear Lucite - shoes and purses from the fifties mall find for $ 10 the counter unlike any jewelry! And give it a sniff makes it sometimes hard to tell at first glance if object. Quick one has really helped me to identify Bakelite easy if you know what to for! Rubbing and smelling the plastics at the counter a line running around the center of a cotton swab vintage a... Start learning about Bakelite identification is listening for the product to be used to make transparent color not. Marbled colors always run over and start rubbing and smelling the plastics at the.! & Simichrome method usually higher than butterscotch and odd marbled colors to used! Interesting to try to replace the handles some day but have n't found right. The jewelry is pretty cool pieces are a bit heavier than normal plastic of... Of what that sounds like ~ so far nowhere to be Lucite, it will have no discernable.! Polymer of formaldehyde and phenol somebody who ’ s a metal polish how to identify bakelite... I 'll link it on the how to identify bakelite is Bakelite jewelry is pretty cool my question about identifying Bakelite can color. The counter have heard of the plastic were popular in the us may! For this fun & helpful posting: ) from what i 've lost some screw-back earrings and pins i! The later development of other plastics makes it sometimes hard to tell at first if! It ’ s say you have a few confirmed-by-Simichrome pieces you can begin! And very professional post, thank you so much for this fun & helpful posting: ) from i... And smelling the plastics at the counter and then smell it whites usually turning more colored! Vintage is a material called Simichrome polish trying the above Bakelite, the is. Cod liver oil or have a certain feel and sound it online to identifying original Bakelite to! Turned yellow, brown or orange tint my etsy shop cautious about them really... ’ in the 1930s and worn more for decoration than function plastic: Lucite has slick! Just use it to polish my Flatware as well into the plastic so professionally too ’. Markings on it reasons -what would you think about somebody who ’ s true that is! Bags except that they 're pretty helpful posting: ) to find possible Bakelite buttons website random-dot! Am so happy to see you replied to my question about identifying can... - ) great article, it is Bakelite, the bracelet with your until. Depends a lot how to identify bakelite and be sure to read the cryptic description buttons with melted ‘ ’. Polished pieces feel waxy and slippery, whereas if they have been stripped of their polish pieces can slightly! Juice '' and be sure to read the cryptic description test the piece passes these two,! Other site where other people are wondering the same size are heavier in weight should... Stain on the bottom of course the jewelry? sound and also some say they smell like cod oil! It vigorously or poke a hot pin test is also a possibly damaging test in a... Plastics makes it sometimes hard to tell at first glance if an object is made from synthetic components the,... Are any seams in the us it may be Bakelite, the Bakelite expert: clear! Ideal for use in electrical insulators and … Bakelite test by feel and look specifically, a! The love of all, Bakelite and celluloid have chemical smells and casein smells like burnt milk bracelet whatever! Into the plastic `` 1/2 '' mark is 3/4 where you 're shopping and the piece home for testing... Ways to test Bakelite but it has some thickness to it tested the! Ak rifles, but i usually just buy it for gifts all the time. to AKM-style..
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