If you are looking for more information on Bakelite jewelry then, you’ve come to the right place.
Bakelite Jewelry
Bakelite Jewelry
Bakelite Jewelry is gaining in popularity and is back on the scene what with the world conforming to the circle of fashion. Here is what you need to know. Picture on the left was taken from http://www.gaslightshadows.com/bakelite.html
Bakelite is a type of plastic. Actually, it was the first type plastic to be invented. It was invented in New York in 1907 by Dr Baekeland. It is noninflammable and a bad conductor of electricity. Therefore it was initially used in the kitchen as material for storing and carrying hot foods. Now, of course, it is also being widely used to create jewelry of various beautiful shades, sizes and types.
Why Bakelite Jewelry?
Earrings
Bakelite lends itself to jewelry in a smooth and beautiful manner. Pieces of bakelite jewelry are known for their bright colors, intricate carvings, durability and versatility of design. Also, pieces of these jewelry are widely considered as collectibles.
Private collectors proudly display collections of these jewelry pieces which can range from a few dollars each in price to hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars. Bakelite is also the perfect material for vintage jewelry and artistic pieces which fuse beautifully with the material and its various properties. Being a versatile material, it can be formed into anything from bangles to earrings to pins, and everything in between.
Have You Heard Of Fakelite?
Pumpkin Moon Ring
Unfortunately, there are many cheap and copycat imitations of Bakelite jewelry that are hitting the market these days thanks to the growing popularity of the genuine ones. These pieces are either not made of Bakelite, or are engraved upon after the molding process, or are advertised in a misleading manner. It could also be a combination of two or more of the above factors. Such pieces are called Fakelite products, because they are fake products being sold as Bakelite products.
How Do I Recognize Genuine Bakelite Jewelry?
Genuine Bakelite Necklace
Bakelite itself is a trademark of the company by the same name, but in essentiality, it is just a type of moldable plastic, which can be tweaked to make them under various brands. The genuine ones usually heavier and denser when compared with similar pieces in other materials. Some unscrupulous craftsmen and other people even sell jewelry made of cellulose or other material disguised as Bakelite products. Also, the carving on the jewelry should be part of the moulding process, and should not be done on the surface. In case the intricate carving you see on your bakelite bangle is a surface job, it should be advertised as such, as even carved pieces are sold as prized collectibles.
Warmed bakelite supposedly smells like camphor, so if you have a keen sense of smell, you can try immersing your Bakelite jewelry in warm water for sometime and then smelling it. Another method is to wipe your piece of jewelry with a cotton swab dipped in a good household cleaner. The collected patina will come off as a pale yellow stain on the cotton swab.
The Different Kinds and Variety
Bakelite Bracelet
They are available in a wide range of color, size, price, age, intricacy and design. Starting from simple, no frills bangles to elaborately crafted brooches, from tiny, beautiful pins to custom made necklaces and everything in between. The most common colors are butterscotch and pea green, which also happen to be some of the least expensive shades. From delicate ivory to bright pink and purples, from plain, no frills pieces to intricately crafted masterpieces, it has risen from just another type of fad to a collector’s dream.
