How to Identify & Test Bakelite
Art and creating jewelry from both vintage and new components has been a passion of mine for many decades.
A few years ago, I discovered BAKELITE (also called catalin or phenolic). Bakelite is the most beautiful, enduring plastic you could wish for. Bakelite is an early plastic, no longer produced, and is highly collectible.
The 1920s compact pictured below, is made of swirly butterscotch bakelite. It is as lovely now as the day it was made. It looks a bit like amber, but tests positive for bakelite and passes ALL tests.
In my retro jewelry designs, I use bakelite poker chips and vintage bakelite buttons. I am particularly fond of dogs and cherries, so naturally, my most popular pieces involve dogs and cherries.
The original 1940s dangling bakelite cherry brooches are highly sought after and can sell for more than $500. I make MY version available for much less.
It isn't easy to find vintage bakelite and a lot of the advertised bakelite poker chips on auction sites are NOT bakelite. It is, however, relatively easy to test bakelite.
409 Cleaner on a white paper towel rubbed on the plastic will "usually" turn yellow. This test is not always accurate, as the bakelite could have a coating and NOT test positive.
Simichrome plastic and metal polish - see above test using 409
HOT water - soak bakelite in hot water for 20 seconds and SMELL. Bakelite will have a chemical, formaldehyde odor - very distinctive. Once you smell it, you will remember it.
BURN or DRILL - do this only on pieces not valuable and/or in a place where the burn or drill mark won't be seen. SMELL the piece - it will have a chemical, formaldehyde odor.
Bakelite is very strong and hard to break. It does not melt when burned or change color when soaked in hot water. It has a lush, rich, buttery feeling to it. If you tap two bakelite beads, poker chips or buttons together, they "clunk" rather than "click". Bakelite beads NEVER have seams and are the same color all the way through.
Bakelite poker chips NEVER have stacking ridges on the edges, or embossing. Bakelite can can be polished to a high gloss with Simichrome polish and was made in many colors. Time has turned white bakelite to yellow and most bakelite poker chips are swirly, with both transparent & opaque areas, though you can find catalin gaming pieces in solid, opaque colors.
For access to my original bakelite art pieces, please visit my ebay store http://stores.ebay.com/Lilyashly-Art-Jewelry?_rdc=1.
Bakelite Poker Chip Necklace
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