I buy my jewelry by the bag at a favorite thrift store. Baekeland accidentally created this material while trying to. Trouble is i did not have a clue on how to spot it. 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. Tortoise shell earrings brown bakelite jewelry style green half circle brown tropical leaf dangle acrylic statement drop earrings. 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. 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. Catalin developed many new and brilliant colors of bakelite, and bakelitecatalin jewelry was sold to companies like saks fifth avenue as well as woolworths five and dime stores.
See warmans jewelry, 3rd edition by christie romero, p. First i have drilled a thin section of the broken area to fix pins in order to improve strength to the fiberglasss filling up. While at first bakelite was used for industrial applications because of its electrical insulating properties, it was soon used in manufacturing anything from inexpensive costume jewelry to dinnerware. Do not apply the glue directly from the bottle, as you will get far too much. It included a single pepper shaker, broken scotty dog napkin ring and broken scotty place card holder. While the fusion line can give good results, it is not because of the plastic holding ingredients in the mix. For years i have been saying i must have something bakelite in all this stuff. Although some pieces in muted colors without carving were made earlier, jewelry cleverly crafted from phenolic plastics became really popular in the 1930s. 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. We are not affiliated with the ruby lane shop that uses our name. How to identify bakelite jewelry and spot imitations.
All jewelry repairs are done inhouse by skilled artisans under the direction of the founders and owners of jewelry designs. From sears to saks, everyone sold bakelite jewelry in the 1920s and 30s. Meet decotini chicago, offering vintage bakelite necklaces, bracelets, pins, earrings. Using it on bakelite, the paint will not etch or grab onto the bakelite like it does on plastic items like lawn furniture, or a plastic dog house. How i ruinedand revived my bakelite flatware handles, part. Yet im just a bit hesitant about using simichrome on eating utensils. Find 59 listings related to jewelry repair henderson in henderson on. Bakelite is made from carbolic acid phenol and formaldehyde and is referred to as a phenolic resin. I sold a group of plastic i hope earrings and was surprised by the final amount bid. The finished result is a glossy shine and a strong chemical smell which has dissipated by the next day. 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. An often occurring problem is a small crack in your bakelite telephone or any other bakelite object.
Constant contact with counter tops, stone, or even other jewelry will slowly wear away gold or platinum. Designers like coco chanel started incorporating baekelands product into their work. One of the people that recast old steering wheels gave me a detailed explanation when i inquired about repairing an old bakelite covered steering wheel. Bakelite, an original plastic, was patented in 1907, but its heyday in the jewelry department began in the 1920s and lasted into the sixties. 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. You can also search bing for repairing bakelite and youll see an impressive amount of sites to get reliable information from. Bakelite jewelry identification and price guide in 2020. Bakelite is a trade name for an early form of plastic called phenolic resin. Bakelite is an item a jewelry collector should keep an eye out for considering how prices have risen over the last few decades. Perhaps one of the most wonderfully unusual bakelite bangles ive seen. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
Bakelite was an early plastic resin, developed by leo baekeland in 1907. Our areas of interest include jewelry, bar items, lucite bags, compacts, tobacciana, vintage watches, lamps, bookends, clocks and more. Bakelite is a type of plastic that became popular during the first half of the 20th century. There are probably many ways to do this, and many products, alex shows us how to clean and polish bakelite using common household cleaners that will do the job, and be. Damage may include discoloration and even destruction of the bakelites finish, which generally cannot be restored.
A great array of bakelite pieces, through the eras and accross the seas. All those beautiful old radios that you see for sale in antique stores are most likely made from bakelite. Oh, and jewelry it was used in lots of wonderful jewelry. Unfollow bakelite jewelry to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. It was one of the first synthetic plastics ever to be produced. In 1927, the bakelite patent expired, and the catalin corporation acquired the product. Prices ranged from a few cents to a few dollars for pins made by chanel and other designers. At an antique mall last weekend, i found a little bag of broken bakelite tableware. Dec 04, 2009 especially many early steering wheels. That means once a bakelite product is formed, it will not change shape or melt under heat.
Vintage cherry amber bakelite faceted oblong bead necklace 32. Our mission to uphold the integrity of vintage bakelite led to the creation of another website in 2004, called, which contains information on how to avoid the phenolic phonies. These pieces are heavily damaged and unable to be repaired. 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. The jewelry is quite valuable, but it can be damaged during cleaning if you are not careful. Find amazing deals on bakelite jewelry from several brands all in one place. Bakelite is one of the first plastics invented in 1907 by chemist leo baekeland. Intricately carved andor multicolored bangle bracelets, figural pins, dress clips and link bracelets are sought in earnest by bakelite collectors now. Youll have to grind away the material applied to the bakelite if you are not happy with the result, in effect making the damage greater. Jan 10, 2014 i should have worn gloves because simichrome is a skin and eye irritant. Bakelite beads and bakelite stones jans jewelry supplies. Bakelite is the proprietary name for one of the first phenolic resins. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices.
Uk vintage radio repair and restoration cabinet restoration. Phenolic resins are still manufactured and heavily used in electric and electronic components. Erosion takes place when precious metals rub against equal or harder surfaces. On wearing the jewelry, the heat of the body causes the bakelite to emit an odor, and even have a stain rub off on the skin. The page looks great and ill be telling my facebook friends about it.
Get the best deals on vintage bakelite bracelets and save up to 70% off at poshmark now. I love its casual, but quality, look, and they way it stands up to the test of time. The way you test for an item of bakelite includes rubbing the item until it warms to the touch, so a strong formaldehyde odor is detected. How i ruinedand revived my bakelite flatware handles. Bakelite is often used as a term to denote early plastics and vintage bakelite jewelry is highly collectible. Bakelite jewelry is made of cast resin and was manufactured from 1929 to 1941. If its genuine, the qtip will show a yellow, brown or orange tint.
History of bakelite jewelry bakelite jewelry was most popular during the art deco period, which began in 1909 and lasted until the 1940s. With decades of experience repairing jewelry, the one thing that can be concluded is that precious metal will fatigue or erode over time. Vintage bracelet lot 100 plus hand painted rhinestone lucite bone cha cha. It is used not only for unconductivity, but for high heat resistance not found in other plastics. How to repair a small crack in bakelite matilo telephones. Aug 18, 2011 you may have picked up from me by now that i really really adore bakelite jewelry. 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. Costumejewelry manufacturers were attracted to bakelite for numerous reasons. Gluing the bakelite pieces back together followed by epoxy and fiberglass cloth repairs inside the cabinet to strengthen the compromised areas. Jewelry repair repairing jewelry antique jewelry repair. The cracks that may reappear after a repair are not from the new adhesive breaking down but the old plastic continuing to breakdown. I should have worn gloves because simichrome is a skin and eye irritant. Bakelite is, after all, brittle and this kind of damage can easily occur.
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. Place a few drops on a piece of scrap card, and use a pin or piece of wire to apply it to the crack or break. Durable and colorful, bakelite jewelry defined an era of fashion forward jewelry accessories. You may have picked up from me by now that i really really adore bakelite jewelry. In the 1930s and 1940s the catalin company created marbled and translucent bakelite that was used to make jewelry and household items. Very interesting to hear of your own experience with testing bakelite beads from your jewelry set. These pieces were created as costume jewelry, as a way to dress up clothing or an outfit without spending a lot of money. Come find the bakelite jewelry you are looking for.
For brown bakelite you could mix artists powder paint with clear epoxy glue but be sure to mix in the powder extremely thoroughly. Rena, thank you so much for making me part of your website. See more ideas about plastic jewelry, vintage jewelry and bracelets. Damage may include discoloration and even destruction of the bakelite s finish, which generally cannot be restored. Clean cracks and breaks can be successfully repaired with a little superglue. Bakelite is a trade name taken from its inventor, leo baekeland, who invented bakelite in 1907. Shultz bakelite jewelry for sale morning glory jewelry.
Original bakelite items are collectibles, but reproductions and original bakelite style jewelry is still made with polyurethane resin. Original bakelite items are collectibles, but reproductions and original bakelitestyle jewelry is still made with polyurethane resin. With plenty of examples of brooches, necklaces, novelties, and my personal favourite, bangles, the book offers more than just pages of pretty pictures although it has these too. 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. I wouldnt have a problem using it on jewelry or other bakelite objects. Bakelite is an early plastic, developed at the start of the 20th century. Originally used for industrial purposes thanks to its ability to withstand heat, molded bakelite and its cast cousin, catalin, made the jump to costume jewelry in the 1920s and had their heyday in the 1930s and 40s. But i recently purchased a piece that required some repair. Radiola 618 bakelite cabinet repair w epoxy youtube. The pieces were popular during the heyday of the art deco pe. I dont often worry about wearing out my bakelite pieces, even though some are close to 80 years old. With most of our staff having between 10 to 40 years of individual experience, and averaging a decadeandahalf of working on jewelry designs team, you can be confident that your jewelry is in good hands. There was a lesson in jet and a lesson in lucite, so, of course i have to cover everyones favourite vintage plastic, bakelite. The baklite plastic is broken and i would like to glue it.
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