Collectibles -> Vintage-Retro-Mid-Century -> Bakelite
Most of us have heard the term Bakelite, even if we’re not entirely sure what it means. When we think of Bakelite we often think of plastic, as they seem to go hand in hand. But Bakelite is a type of plastic, most often used in costume jewelry in the early 20th century. It became most popular in the 1940s and 1950s, when costume jewelry in bright colors was prized over delicate chains and golden and silver charms.
Bakelite creator, Belgian Leo Baekeland, invented Bakelite in 1909, patented it in 1910 and sold it for a decade for industrial purposes before adjusting his factory to also produce Bakelite jewelry items. Bakelite was actually used for a number of things, including phonograph records for Thomas Edison. It was also now used for handles of things like mirrors, replacing the older more easily word celluloid plastic.
With mass production came the end of Bakelite’s popularity. But now collectors, and just fans of the jewelry, see out these earliest pieces for many reasons. There’s no shortage of Bakelite on eBay, but the problem is that you don’t now if something’s Bakelite or if it’s merely very good. Some people use Bakelite as a generic type term for plastic, which is incorrect.
Bakelite can be found online in auctions, in online stores, vintage shops and estate sales. Often in a batch of costume jewelry there will be some Bakelite items. Many of us who used to play dress-up often pulled those old pieces of Bakelite jewelry out of our mothers’ and grandmothers’ jewelry boxes and pretended to be someone we weren’t. This type of jewelry was most popular during the Great Depression.
The method of Bakelite production also serves to make the plastic unique. Instead of being melted and poured into a mold, the Bakelite often arrived in cylinders that required carving to reveal the design to be present in the jewelry. It could be melted down and poured in containers for shaping and coating, but most often it came in solid chunks. When manufacturers learned how to put color into Bakelite, it gave way to a period of bright colored furniture of the 60s.
It’s not easy to determine if a piece of jewelry up for auction is an authentic Bakelite or just vintage plastic. If you can handle the jewelry and do a hot pin test on it you’ll know. A heated pin touched to an inconspicuous spot on the jewelry should release a distinctive odor. Formaldehyde is an ingredient in Bakelite, so the heated pin should release that scent. Some Bakelite gives off a slight formaldehyde scent already. But when you can see it, you can ask the seller to test the item, if he or she sounds unsure.
A little research into the popular jewelry of the Depression era will bring you lots of info about Bakelite, and will make it easier to spot, even for the movie. Once mass-production began, Bakelite disappeared, but it can still find a place in your jewelry box today.
Originally posted 2008-12-02 14:00:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Lladro Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Lladro-> Figurines When you look at the beauty and grace that is customary with Lladro collectibles, it’s hard to believe that the company originally specialized in jugs and basic kitchenware. It wasn’t until the mid 1950’s that the three original founders of the company, who...... -
Crystal Chandelier Collectibles -> Lamps, Lighting -> Ceiling Fixtures The crystal chandelier got its start in the 1600s in England, when the use of lead glass became common and even popular. Originally used in medieval abbeys and churches to light up the cavernous rooms, the chandelier started out as a wooden cross...... -
Precious Moments Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Precious Moments -> Figurines With their distinctive designs and inspirational quips, Precious Moments collectibles are one of the most sought after decorative arts. Originally designed in 1975 by Eugene Freedman, it wasn’t until the mid-1980’s that the company hit full stride. Since then, these cute...... -
Coffee Sets Collectibles -> Housewares-and-Kitchenware -> Tableware A coffee set is a highly collectible item, whether you’re looking for a traditional Turkish coffee set that’s unique, or a modern-day coffee set designed for novelty. Before there were sets designed for the brewing and drinking of coffee, however, coffee had to become popular...... -
Cat Collectibles Collectibles -> Animals -> Cat-Domestic The history of cat collectibles goes back much farther than you probably realize. Cats were revered in Ancient Egypt where citizens did more than collect cat-related items, they collected the cats themselves. So far, over 300,000 mummified cats have been found buried in ancient tombs.......
Related Websites -
Vintage Pin-Up Posters Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Posters Vintage pin-up posters represent a popular movie and magazine phase of US history. The ultimate pin-up girl was Marilyn Monroe, without whom no collection of vintage pin-ups would be complete. She was the pin-up queen of the 1950s, a sex symbol, and was considered...... -
Antique Mirrors Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry...... -
Collecting Unique Vintage Car Memorabilia The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to the different types of memorabilia that you can collect. One example of a type of memorabilia that you may choose to add to your collection is car memorabilia. There has been a rise in popularity in collecting cars and car memorabilia...... -
4 Reasons to Hold On to Your Coin Collection A coin collection is generally an important part of a coin collector’s life, an integral part of what makes them happy. They spend countless hours and large sums of money to bring coins into their collection and to display their collection with pride. At some point, most with a coin...... -
Types of Sports Memorabilia Items to Buy There are a number of different forms that sports memorabilia items can take, including both modern memorabilia and vintage memorabilia. Some of the sports memorabilia items that you can purchase and add to your collection include: - Autographed sports memorabilia items, including balls, gloves, bats, cards and anything else that......
- Angel Figures Christmas: Vintage (Pre-1946) Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
- Fontanini Roman Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
- Comics Vintage (Pre-1968) Disneyana Collectibles
- Publications Vintage Sports Memorabilia Sports Collectibles
- Signs Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
