| The early 1900's made Bakelite, a castable plastic, | | | | simplest way to figure out Bakelite jewelry. You will |
| quite a popular item. Bakelite first appeared in the | | | | want to perform this on the inner part of your |
| construction of radios. Later on jewelers realized the | | | | jewelry or bracelet since there is the chance some |
| lightweight feature of it was ideal for cheaper | | | | damage will occur. You can take some 409 cleaner |
| jewelry. It became popular after many colors were | | | | with a q-tip and rub it against the jewelry you are |
| available for Bakelite. One noted user is Coco Chanel. | | | | identifying. Bakelite will turn a Q-tip bright yellow |
| There many classes offered on how to make hand | | | | colored. Sometimes jewelry will turn brown for the |
| made jewelry the inexpensive way. There are other | | | | simple fact that it is getting dirty. Remember to clean |
| plastics which look like Bakelite, including Lucite. Take | | | | or wipe off the 409 solution after performing this |
| caution if buying Bakelite jewelry since other materials | | | | test. |
| are similiar. Bakelite feels heavier than Lucite. | | | | Test for friction. You can use this method while you |
| See how opaque the item is. If you can see through | | | | are outside or in a flea market and you can't test the |
| the piece of jewelry, I would bet that it's a Catalin, | | | | jewelry another way. You will want to smell the |
| even though it may be getting sold as Bakelite. Hold | | | | jewelry after you have rubbed it until your skin or |
| it up to the light, or the sun itself. If light is able to | | | | thumb is warm. The real Bakelite jewelry will give off |
| come through then the item is likely Catalin and not | | | | a scent like formaldehyde. If you put hot water over |
| Bakelite. Since Bakelite is opaque, light won't be able | | | | a bracelet or other type of jewelry, you may smell |
| to shine through it. | | | | formaldehyde. If you repeat the test a second time |
| Look at the seams. Check your jewelry for mold | | | | and don't smell formaldehyde, the jewelry is likely not |
| marks or seams. These are marks that will not occur | | | | Bakelite. |
| on authentic Bakelite items. | | | | There is not a single test which can confirm whether |
| Noise. If you think the objects are made from | | | | the item is made of Bakelite. In order to be sure that |
| Bakelite, try hitting them together. If it is actually | | | | it is indeed a Bakelite jewelry or bracelet, you need |
| Bakelite you will hear a distinct clunking sound. | | | | to perform some of the other tests described |
| You can try the 409 test. This is going to be the | | | | above. |