Is It Real Bakelite?

It is important to know the difference between real Bakelite jewelry and the cheap plastic imitations, known as "fakelite" by collectors.  The imitation faklite has flooded the marketplace as Bakelite became a favorite jewelry collectible.

Bakelite has substantial quality, when two bangles are carefully hit together, they resonate with an almost musical sound, never flat, dead or tinny sounding very different from today's plastics.  You will never see mold-lines or seams as real Bakelite was cast into tubes, rods, or sheets and then sliced, drilled or carved by machinists. Bakelite hardware, the clips, pinbacks, metal decorations, etc. were affixed to the piece with rivets, screws, brads, never glued!

Bakelite was produced in a wide variety of colors both solid and marbled. Since these pieces are now vintage Bakelite many have changed color over time:
Originally White Bakelite has turned to a yellowish or cream corn color.
Original turquoise colored Bakelite has turned to green.
Bakelite that was originally pink has turned to an orange like color.
Violet colored Bakelite has now turned to brown.
And Bakelike that was originally blue has since turned to green.
Since there were so many original colors, these are just a few examples.

One way to test your Bakelite pieces are by rubbing your thumb over the piece vigorously until it heats up. If the jewelry piece smells similar to camphor or formaldehyde, it's most likely real  Bakelite.

Another way of testing to see if it is real Bakelite is by applying 409 cleaner you can get at any grocery store.  First wash the Bakelite piece with mild dish detergent and warm water and dry it immediately. You do not want to soak it in water as this can weaken or destroy the settings.  Then use a cotton swab and apply the 409 cleaner on the surface of your Bakelite piece. If you see a yellow streak, which can be anything from pale yellow to a rich yellow-orange, then it's an inidication that the materical is real Bakelite.

A third method to test for real Bakelite is by using Simichrome Polish. Wash your Bakelite piece first as described above, remembering not to soak it in water, dry off immediately. Using a small amount of the silver cleaner Simichrome Polish on a cotton swab, a little silver polish goes a long way so do not use too much. Again look for a yellow streak that indicates that it is real Bakelite. After testing, gently clean the Simichrome Polish off the jewelry piece by wiping with a clean dry soft cloth.

Remember these tests are not always accurate test. Some pieces of black Bakelite do not turn yellow, even though they are real Bakelite.

A fourth test is to run the piece under hot tap water then bring the piece to your nose and smell:
If you smell formaldehyde, it's Bakelite.
If you smell camphor or something like vicks vapo-rub, it isn't Bakelite but most likely it's Celluloid.
If you smell something like burnt milk, it's Galalith (1920's), a plastic that isn't true Bakelite.
If it has no smell at all, then it is most likely lucite or acrylic, and not real Bakelite.

Also if you see markings on the jewelry that say either Galalith or French Bakelite, then it is an type of plastic that was made from milk protein, and not true Bakelite.

Never use alcohol, abrasive compounds or heat to test your Bakelite.  These can destroy the finish of real Bakelite and lessen their value.