It was invented in 1908 and produced through the 1930s. Leslie pi a is a professor at ursuline college, a specialist in twentieth century decorative arts, and a prolific author of books on american antiques. Vintage bracelet lot 100 plus hand painted rhinestone lucite bone cha cha. Genuine vintage bakelite will always do the same, turning from white to cream and then sometimes to butterscotch. That means once a bakelite product is formed, it will not change shape or melt under heat. Bakelite oxidizes rapidly, with whites becoming yellow or mustard, some cobalts turning to greens, and aquas to browns, etc. Vintage bakelite jewelry for sale at online auction buy. Bakelite bracelets decotini bakelite, modernist jewelry. Galalith is the name of a plastic developed in germany in the late 19th century. Bakelite is an item a jewelry collector should keep an eye out for considering how prices have risen over the last few decades.
The creation of a synthetic plastic was revolutionary for its electrical nonconductivity and heatresistant properties in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings and such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, childrens toys, and firearms. Many other companies got in on the act and plastic jewelry took off around the world. For several decades bakelite was used to create bangles, brooches, beads and pendants in art deco designs for a glamorous public scrambling for affordable jewelry. These pieces were created as costume jewelry, as a way to dress up clothing or an outfit without spending a lot of money. Themes presented are concentric and geometric design. Examples of some fabulous genuine vintage bakelite jewelry including vintage bakelite pins, bakelite bangles, a too hot bakelite necklace, bakelite rings and. Unfollow bakelite jewelry to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Costumejewelry manufacturers were attracted to bakelite for numerous reasons. Bakelite, an original plastic, was patented in 1907, but its heyday in the jewelry department began in the 1920s and lasted into the sixties.
Costume jewelry makers jumped onto the bakelite bandwagon by the 1930s, recognizing its ability to be polished, colored, marbled, carved, and even laminated together to create multicolored pieces. Plastics in some form or other have been used in jewelry for many years. Trouble is i did not have a clue on how to spot it. I buy my jewelry by the bag at a favorite thrift store. Mar 20, 2016 bakelite is one of the first plastics made from synthetic components. Currently the definitive method of testing bakelite is to put some formula 409 on the end of a qtip and apply a small amount on an inconspicuous portion of the bead in question. Designers like coco chanel started incorporating baekelands product into their work. Rare bakelite acorn carved leaf necklace bracelet brooch pin parure 3 piece set. Bakelite was only made for a short period of time and there is no other. Intricately carved andor multicolored bangle bracelets, figural pins, dress clips and link. Vintage bakelite bakelite beads beads for sale antique. Karima parry, another wellknown expert of bakelite jewelry and author of several books on the subject, has come up with another simple test that, in conjunction with the hot water test, will almost guarantee identification. The creation of a synthetic plastic was revolutionary for its electrical nonconductivity and heatresistant properties in electrical. While used for its electrical nonconductivity and heatresistant proper, products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, childrens toys were also made of bakelite which was designated a national historic chemical landmark in 1993 in recognition of its significance as the worlds first synthetic plastic.
Mar 29, 2017 costume jewelry makers jumped onto the bakelite bandwagon by the 1930s, recognizing its ability to be polished, colored, marbled, carved, and even laminated together to create multicolored pieces. Kens antiques celluloid, bakelite and lucite jewelry. This item has been evaluated and verified by a gia certified diamond grader. We offer extensive jewelry information in jewel chat and morning glory collects, but we do not offer valuation or appraisal services. Bakelite is often used as a term to denote early plastics and vintage bakelite jewelry is highly collectible. With over 0 lots available for antique bakelite jewelry and 0 upcoming auctions, you wont want to miss out. From rings and necklaces to bracelets and earrings, bakelite jewellery was considered both stylish and elegant.
It is a 3dimensional disk engraved with an art deco design that reminds me of a peacock. Decotini offers vintage bakelite jewelry, including necklace, bracelet, clamper, pin, brooch, earrings and more. Shultz bakelite jewelry schiffer book for collectors. Values for bakelite jewelry can vary widely depending on the rarity of the piece. Vintage bakelite jewelry is one of the hottest collectibles on the scene. Bakelite beads and bakelite stones jans jewelry supplies. Bakelite was called the material of a thousand uses. Dec 15, 2002 bakelite oxidizes rapidly, with whites becoming yellow or mustard, some cobalts turning to greens, and aquas to browns, etc.
Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Donna wasserstrom is a nationallyknown expert and dealer in bakelite jewelry and she also makes awesome wearable art using intricate beadwork that is exhibited in galleries in several states. In the 1930s and 1940s the catalin company created marbled and translucent bakelite that was used to make jewelry and household items. Translucent jewelry, poker chips and other items made of phenolic resins were introduced in the 1930s or 1940s by the catalin company under the prystal name. See more ideas about plastic jewelry, vintage jewelry and bracelets. Bakelite is one of the first plastics invented in 1907 by chemist leo baekeland. Bakelite is a trade name taken from its inventor, leo baekeland, who invented bakelite in 1907. See warmans jewelry, 3rd edition by christie romero, p. Glossy gold with black bakelite length 17 inch choker. Frivolous and funky, colorful and chunky, bakelite jewelry can be tons of fun to own and wear. Check out our bakelite jewelry selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our bangles shops.
Arguably most memorable are the remarkable range of bakelite bracelets, which stormed the market in the early years of the 20th century, and, thanks to their longevity, still can appear today as shiny as the day they were made. We share our reference material free of charge and work hard to make it accurate, but as with any research, mistakes can be made. Vintage cherry amber bakelite faceted oblong bead necklace 32. Many of the examples shown here are quite hard to find and reflect prices paid by avid collectors who compete at auction to own these pieces. Ron and ester shultz are modern artists who rework vintage bakelite into startlingly beautiful contemporary bakelite jewelry. A selection of bakelite jewelry with a composite jewelry box. Vintage bakelite jewelry prices 55 auction price results. Pins, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more from the sassy classic 1930s and 1940s. When the author devoted an entire chapter in her recent book, bakelite pins, to shultz pins, bakelite fans clamored for more. At time dances by we offer a wide variety of vintage bakelite jewelry, including bakelite earrings, bakelite rings, bakelite bracelets and bakelite pendants and pins. For years i have been saying i must have something bakelite in all this stuff. History of bakelite jewelry bakelite jewelry was most popular during the art deco period, which began in 1909 and lasted until the 1940s. Durable and colorful, bakelite jewelry defined an era of fashion forward jewelry accessories.
Since the 1990s, many pieces made of authentic, old bakelite have been produced by artisans. A jawdroppingly awesome vintage bakelite acorn and carved leaf. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Please note, most recently added items are at the top of the page. Some of their most popular bangle bracelet design motifs include checkerboards, confetti polka dots, wrap around dots, and belle ovals. Celluloid, bakelite and lucite jewelry if you are interested in any of the pieces shown below, or wish additional information, please contact kens antiques directly either by phone or email. All my bakelite jewellery has passed the simichrome and smell tests.
Bakelite jewelry brightens your wardrobe many people buy plastic jewelry, but art deco lovers spend many long hours searching for plastic bakelite jewelry. Though its heyday has long since passed, many still love this material for its unique appearance and working properties. Bakelite is made from carbolic acid phenol and formaldehyde and is referred to as a phenolic resin. Large selection of vintage and contemporary bakelite jewelry, lucite and wood jewelry plus signed and unsigned jewelry including christmas tree pins. Many jewelry items from the 1940s were made from the new plastic called bakelite.
When the author devoted an entire chapter in her recent book, bakelite pins, to shultz pins, bakelite fans. These are usually highly carved pieces, bangle bracelets with dots, and other desirable styles. This is an elegant vintage bakelite brooch with a relatively rare decorated metal inlay. Bakelite is a hard plastic with a long history of use within jewelry and other consumer products. The bakelite jewelry book corinne davidov, ginny redington dawes, stephen mark needham, tom dawes on. Both measure 21116 by 212 across the inside opening by a width of 916. If its genuine, the qtip will show a yellow, brown or orange tint. How to identify bakelite jewelry and spot imitations. In this oneday workshop, students will learn how to carve, shape, and polish bakelite for jewelry applications. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. For the vintage costume jewelry enthusiast, this auction will feature bakelite from the rodrigo j. The plain central area, representing the body, neck and head, is elevated. Arguably most memorable are the remarkable range of bakelite bracelets, which stormed the market in the early years of the 20th century, and, thanks to their longevity, still can appear today as.
The book is excellent, well illustrated and easy to. America is, of course, the home of bakelite, being invented in new york by belgian chemist leo baekeland and the majority of collectable bakelite jewelry these days comes from the usa. Shultz bakelite jewelry for sale morning glory jewelry. While these artisans maintain that they did not try to fool collectors with their work, some of these pieces, unfortunately. Bakelite was an early plastic resin, developed by leo baekeland in 1907. This selection features three bracelets, one pair of earrings, one necklace and one jewelry box. Authentic bakelite jewelry can sell for thousands of dollars, so its important you learn how to tell the difference between genuine and imposter plastic jewelry. Jan 31, 2008 galalith is the name of a plastic developed in germany in the late 19th century. Galalith, made from casein, a milkbased protein gets it trade name milk stone from the greeks gala for milk and logos for stones. Shultz bakelite jewelry schiffer book for collectors parry, karima on. American plastic jewelry was playful and colourful, with bright and jazzy bangles with. Some of these are similar in style to older pieces, and they will test as bakelite. Get the best deals on vintage bakelite bracelets and save up to 70% off at poshmark now.
One is a pale olive green color and one is an orange yellow. Ken will be more than happy to respond to your inquiries. I sold a group of plastic i hope earrings and was surprised by the final amount bid. William is fanatical about finding vintage bakelite bracelets and other jewelry for his daughter, who at last count, had amassed 99 bakelite bracelets, thanks to her tenacious father.
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