Even though I have been collecting vintage jewelry for many years, it is only recently that I have turned to collecting Bakelite jewelry. Bakelite is an early form of plastic created by a Belgian chemist in the early 20th century. Bakelite was made into costume jewelry, hair accessories, and even radio facades. Unlike moonglow and lucite, bakelite is heavier and can often have an aged look or patina to its surface. Another key difference between bakelite and most plastics is the price! Bakelite is usually very expensive. The red spacer above cost me $18 USD and I recently bought another butterscotch colored spacer for about 20 USD. I have seen thicker bangles with intricate carvings go for 180 USD and up!
So, since most vintage collectors want the real deal, how do they know what they are buying is actually bakelite? Most sellers are honest, some are unaware of what constitutes the real deal, and some are out to "pull a fast one" on unsuspecting shoppers. So, what is a vintage girl to do?
There are several ways to test bakelite. Some methods involve using 409 and a q-tip, using Simichrome metal polish, hot water soaking, using Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner, hot needles (not recommended), listening for a distinctive "clunk" sound, and friction.
I am sure that pulling out cleaners and polish in the middle of the antique mall is not going to go over well with sellers. You could ruin their merchandise or just simply end up looking weird. I have found that friction testing and listening for the clunk are the best ways to test for bakelite authenticity.
When using the friction method, gently rub a small section of the bakelite until it feels warm. Smell your fingers and the bakelite. You should be able to detect the scent of formaldehyde. If you rub a piece of standard lucite or basic plastic, you will not detect ANY scent.
If you tap two pieces of bakelite together (this really works for bangles and spacers), you should be able to hear a heavy, solid clunk. If the pieces are plastic, not only will they feel lighter, they will have a light "tick" not a "clunk."
Another important characteristic of bakelite bangles and spacers is how they are usually "seamless." Unlike most plastics, bakelite bangles do not have seams in the middle.
I am still learning about bakelite and the more I learn, I will share with you all. I am having fun building my wares but boy, it this hard on my wallet!
So, do you like bakelite? Are you a collector? What are your tried-and-true methods for ensuring your investment is the 'real McCoy?'
I like it too but yeah the real nice stuff can be expensive. Ive gotten spacers in Nashville for $10 ea. Its the cheapest Ive found around here so far.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh...I love the clunk of Bakelite!
ReplyDeleteI love bakelite but I've never been able to afford it, or more justify the cost, not obviously the spacers but the nice big chunky carved bracelets. It'll be a while yet I think!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advise though, even though I've bought and worn vintage clothes & jewellery for years I've never bought bakelite so if I ever do I know what to do now!
Yep, the 409 test works. I learned that one a few years back when I was buying bakelite at an antique shop in Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteWow, Atomic Mama, 10 bucks for spacers? That is the best price I have heard of! I paid $18 for the red spacer and $20 for the yellow. I did see an amazing oxblood red one that had a great carving detail (roses) but it was $185! No way. Oh well, I will just keeping looking for that "super deal" and stick to spacers!
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think the clunk sound just makes bakelite even more special. My mother-in-law told me about that one. I have heard of using hot needles to test but I think that would destroy the piece or make it look ugly.
I hope you are able to get some bakelite, Straight Talking Mama! I just love the heaviness and feel of it! It feels so sturdy, like it will last forever!
ReplyDeleteEtsy has some great finds now and again. Also, I bet a few charity shops or even car boot sales will turn up some goodies. I found my yellow spacer in an antique mall near my house for 20 USD. I bet I could have bargained for a cheaper price but I was too lazy! Bakelite is amazing but again, the price can be nuts.
I started colleceting about 6 months ago. So far I haven't paid over £8 (about $12.50) a bangle. I have 2 that are an inch wide (one brown, one cherry), a butterscotch swirl spacer and an egg yolk spacer. Im waiting for 4 more butterscotch spacers for $20 that I bought off Etsy last week! We dont really get much of it in the UK, so its all from the states. I have to trust the sellers - then I test myself when it arrives by dipping into hot water to test the smell. Ive been lucky so far as its all genuine stuff!
ReplyDeleteMy handy tip to snag a bargain is to watch items on Ebay that have random finish times, and to search on Etsy regularly. I got my $20 for 4 spacers deal from someone who had only listed them not even an hour previously - not everyone realises their value!
Good luck :)
Rachelle,
ReplyDeleteThat is good to know about the 409. I have never tried it before. So far, the friction and clunk sound tests have proved to work well. I have also heard of using Scrubbing bubbles but I found be afraid it would ruin the piece like hot needles! Most bathroom cleaners have abrasive chemicals.
That is too cool about your bakelite deals, Clare! I guess I need to be more savvy when it comes to fetching a good price! I have not been to eBay in so long. I have gotten so cozy with Etsy. Since Etsy does not have a bidding feature, sellers set the price and unless they are willing to bargain, the price is not going to go down. So, I think I am going to do a little hunting on eBay! I have been loving your finds lately! Your vintage glass collection is just awesome!
ReplyDeleteI <3 bakelite! I've done the friction and 409 test. Both really do work. From what I've seen so far, most sellers on Etsy do the 409 or hot water test.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great article. I had some of these bakelite tips tucked away in the back of my brain somewhere, but had forgotten.
ReplyDeleteCrafty Doll,
ReplyDeleteThat is good to know about the hot water and friction test for bakelite! I have heard from several people that 409 works but I am afraid to use anything chemical or cleaner. However, I guess if it works, then I have nothing to worry about!
Sarsaparilla,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to have been of help! I am still learning about bakelite myself! I am enjoying the thrill of the hunt when it comes to buying.
409 shouldn't harm bakelite as long as it's cleaned off right after testing (wipe off with a paper towel & some water). However, I've only done the 409 test with bakelite that I already own. It's funny imagining one of us gals whipping out a bottle of 409 and a q-tip from our handbag, right in front of the bakelite section of an antique shop, ready to test... lol!
ReplyDeleteCrafty Doll,
ReplyDeleteThat is good to know about the 409! And yes, it would be funny sight seeing someone whip out a test kit in the middle of the antique shop! When I test in the antique showroom, I use the friction and smell test. I did this recently and the gentlemen running the register gave me a funny look. He asked what I was doing and I told him about the method and he said he had never heard it that before and he thanked me for the tip.