Browse all categories
98 Show & Tell Posts Today

Collectors Weekly

Bakelite was an early plastic resin, developed by Leo Baekeland in 1907. 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.

Costume-jewelry manufacturers were attracted to Bakelite for numerous reasons. First, it was hard enough to cut and polish, which made it a terrific choice for everything from brooches to beads to bracelets, its most popular application. Techniques ranged from scratching the surface lightly in repeated or decorative patterns to outright carving. Some carved pieces have deep valleys and furrows; others sport patterns that suggest the outside of a pineapple or the facets of a jewel.

Equally appealing was Bakelite’s range of colors, which were given names like Creamed Corn, Butterscotch, Egg Yolk, and Salmon. Some types of Bakelite were marbled—Mississippi Mu...

While some Bakelite costume jewelry was fashioned from solid blocks of a single color, many more began as laminated pieces, in which horizontal or zigzag layers of complementary colors were combined. Sometimes pieces were laminated to create polka dots; other times polka dots were hand painted on an object’s surface, and in the 1950s polka dots and gumdrop shapes were injected into Bakelite during the manufacturing process itself.

Of the brooches and pins, one of the most popular treatments during the Art Deco 1930s was to combine Ebony Bakelite—an imitation of the jet pieces from the Victorian era—with rhinestones or inlaid silver. Egyptian motifs were in vogue, as were pins in the shapes of animals (cats, camels, dogs, birds) and plants, especially flowers and clusters of dangling cherries. Especially collectible are the World War II era MacArthur Hearts, which consisted of a 3-by-3-inch key-shaped pin, from which dangled a puffy red heart with a keyhole in its center—it was sold with a card that read "He holds the key to my heart."

The most famous use of Bakelite in jewelry was as bracelets. Many of these were formed of large, block- or medallion-shaped beads that were strung together on strips of elastic. Other Bakelite bracelets were hinged, carved into the shapes of serpents, or left open at the back so they could be easily slipped onto a wrist. Some bracelets incorporated chrome accents into their designs, others combined Bakelite with Czech glass.

But the most collectible types of Bakelite bangles are the so-called Philadelphia bracelets, which take their name from a Philadelphia auction in 1985 that featured two of these remarkable pieces. Philadelphia bracelets are always laminated in colors that include green, red, and yellow. The best pieces are hinged, and feature either multicolor laminated wedges or individually colored slices that have been glued onto the bracelet body, which is usually a rich shade of Butterscotch.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Show & Tell

Spinach green bakelite necklace, earrings, bracelet - Costume Jewelryby valenti…
in Costume Jewelry
21 days ago
bakelite bird pin w/painted details - Costume Jewelryby valenti…
in Costume Jewelry
2 months ago
Can Anyone tell me if this is truly an old piece? - Costume Jewelryby jschmid
in Costume Jewelry
2 years ago
See all Bakelite posts

Interviews & Articles

Carole Tanenbaum on Costume Jewelry's 'Wow' Factor

My husband and I have many collections. We were in London at one point in the ’80s, and I saw a fabulous collection of vintage cos… [more]

Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Researching Costume Jewelry

Researching Costume Jewelry

Jewelry lovers, venture through this amazing database of vintage jewelry articles, catalogs, and brochures, as well… [read review or visit site]

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

It looks like we're not in Kansas anymore with Elizabeth Rowlands' site on vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s a… [read review or visit site]

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Carol Bell's simple but informative site focuses on photographs of brooches, bracelets, pendants, and pins, with an… [read review or visit site]

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]

All About Jewels Dictionary

All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 208 by  highest bid • most watched • completed
Vintage Bakelite Muticolor Striped Bangle BraceletAntique Art Deco Cherry Amber French Bakelite Galalith Carved Prayer Bead Neckla Vintage Egg Yolk Butterscotch Bakelite Amber Necklace Vintage Bakelite Bangle Bracelet Clamper Lot Prystal Marbled Red Orange TestedColorful Reverse Carved And Painted Bakelite Bangle Bracelet With Deco DesignVintage Ruby Red Double Strand Bakelite Necklace, 45.2 GramsRare Set Of Two, Large, Dark Cherry Amber Bakelite Dice, Czech Marked 1 3/16C.1940 Art Deco/vintage Marble Butterscotsh Bakelite Necklace - Tested Bakelite Red Heart And Arrow (3 Hearts)brooch, Pin 4 3/4'' In Great Condition!Vintage Bakelite Bracelets Lot Of 9, Orange, Red And Yellow Vintage Black Bakelite Stretch Bracelet With Floral MotifLot Bakelite Diamond Green Necklace Turtle Brooch Chocolate Brown Bracelet Rare Weiss Mint Green Bakelite Ab Aurora Borealis Clamper Bracelet HingedVintage Bakelite Bangle Bracelet Banana Yellow Deep Carved Black Simichrome + Edwardian Bakelite Baltic Amber Egg Yolk Necklace 29" Gorgeous!Vintage Art Deco Black Bakelite Carved Bangle BraceletVintage Wide Red Bakelite Bangle Bracelet - Carved & Pierced - ExcellentVintage Dark Butterscotch Bakelite Sombrero Hat Carved Colored Large Brooch PinVintage Bakelite Multi Color Bar Pin Brooch Vintage Original Cherry Amber Color Bakelite Bead Necklace 77.8grVintage Bakelite Celluloid Art Deco Rams Bangle Bracelet Aries ZodiacGenuine Art Deco Vintage Cherry Amber Bakelite Stretch Bracelet / BangleGenuine Art Deco Cherry Amber Bakelite Hand Carved And Polished Bead NecklaceVintage Cherry Amber Red Bakelite Necklace - Graduated Faceted BeadsVintage Rare 2 Tone Amber Bakelite Wide Bracelet TestedMassive Vintage Bakelite & Celluloid Cherry Necklace & BraceletVintage Bakelite Old Plastic Catalin Chunky Linked Necklace Depression Era DecoVintage Carved Black Bakelite Celluloid Chain Link Bracelet Flower Lucite CabSuperior Vintage 50's Wide Lipstick Red Tested Bakelite Hinged Clamper Bracelet7 Vintage Bakelite Bracelets Carved Bluemoon, Stretch Cherry Red Marbled TestedBakelite Bracelet Carved Applejuice Applique Brass LeavesBakelite Bracelet Multi-color W Yellow On Black & Spaced Carving, C1930-40'sArt Deco Cherry Amber Tested Bakelite Beads Necklace 23.8gmLovely Vintage Simichrome Tested Bakelite Green BangleQuality Vintage Retro Prada Italian Bakelite Costume Bell Hop Or Sailor BroachVintage Bakelite Carved BraceletVintage Bakelite Old Plastic Catalin Chunky "bead" Chain Link Bracelet Art DecoVintage Bakelite Old Plastic Butterscotch Green 4pc Lot Bracelets Pins Estate NrAntique Vintage 1950's Beautiful Butterscotch Amber Bakelite Bangle Bracelet Fantastic Pair Vintage 1930s Primitive Art Deco Carved Bakelite Bangles-wowLarge 48+ Piece Lot Of Vintage Plastics, Bakelite, Lucite,celluloid And MoreLot Of Vintage Bakelite Bracelets (4)Bakelite Bracelet Jade Green Deep Twist Carving, C1930-40'sVintage Black Bird Bakelite Pin / Brooch On Carved Wood LargeVintage Art Deco Retro Big Chunky Amber Bakelite Bangle Bracelet -s138Large Vintage Art Deco Heavily Carved Chocolate Brown Bakelite Flower Brooch PinVintage 2 Gumdrop Dot Scallop Orange Yellow Bakelite Bracelets Tested14 Piece Bakelite Plastic Jewelry Button Bead & Pendant W/ Door Pull LotVintage Antique Art Deco Round Faceted Cherry Amber Bakelite Bead NecklaceVintage Antique Art Deco Faceted Cherry Amber Bakelite Bead NecklaceDelightful Vintage Bakelite Era Carved Lucite & Wood Owl Bird BroochEstate Antique Cherry Amber Bakelite Faceted Bead Graduated Necklace 40gr!Vintage Bakelite Chunky Necklace Butterscotch Green Old Plastic Deco Estate NrLot Of Two Vintage Hand-carved Bakelite Bangles - Gold And GreenLovely Vintage Cherry Amber Bakelite Necklace 16gGorgeous Vintage Artisan Unique Amber Bakelite & Bead Long Retro Necklace TestedVintage Scarce Black Octagon Bakelite Bangle Bracelets Lot Of 2Vintage Black Bakelite?-plastic Hinged Bracelet Ca 1940-1950's 1 Inch WideCarved Bakelite Bangle BraceletAntique Reverse Carved Ruby Red Bakelite Bangle Bracelet - Exquisitive Carving

Recent News: Bakelite Costume Jewelry

Source: Google News

Whiting & Davis: A Flapper's Purse That Rivals the Rainbow
Southeast Missourian (blog), June 17th

There are solid and open-worked frames and elaborate open-worked frames and domed frames, and many degrees of enameling on the enameled frames of these bags. There are even Bakelite frames. The Gloria bag had a bracelet frame. There are also ...Read more

Years pass, words take on new meaning
Press Herald, June 13th

TIP: Don't use water on turquoise objects or jewelry because water is destructive to turquoise. Instead, wipe turquoise with a microfiber cloth. Brush jewelry crevices that have become filled with debris. CURRENT PRICES: These are recorded from...Read more

Fashion briefs: Bethel Park trunk show offers discounts
Tribune-Review, June 13th

Go casual with a T-shirt and pointy shoes, or dress it up with a spaghetti-strap tank and sexy heels.” Wear special jewelry: “I'm all about vintage necklaces. Lockets are beautiful and add interest to any look. Chunky Bakelite bangles and clip-on...Read more

Kovels: Campaign button misleads, but brings top dollar
Winston-Salem Journal, June 13th

The case is Bakelite and like new. I can't find a manufacturer's name. Do you know who made it and what it's worth today? Answer: A clock matching yours auctioned last year for $119. Clocks like it, with extra parts that move when the clock is running...Read more

A short jaunt to 'Antiques Capital, USA'
Lebanon Daily News, June 11th

and other jewelry. Civil War knives, bayonets and daggers are displayed in a case next to the jewelry case. Another showcase contains antique toys including Suzette the Eating Monkey, a working mechanical toy from the 1950s, with a price tag of $500...Read more

Skinner Discovery Auction to Feature Vintage Accessories
News-Antique.com (press release), June 11th

The auction will offer more than 300 lots of jewelry, including several Bakelite lots, a number of designer sterling silver pieces, and many groups of antique and estate jewelry. Notable lots include a small group of lapis lazuli jewelry (lot 281, $300...Read more

Specialty shops offer vintage looks
7Online.com, June 4th

"The arm party is a big trend right now, stacking up a lot of different kinds of bracelets," said Lester. "I think Long strand pearls and brooches channel the Gatsby look, and Bakelite pieces are a throwback to the '60s, also in vogue right now...Read more

Woman's jewelry business is right on the button
The Patriot Ledger, May 22nd

“This is bakelite, an early plastic,” she said, pointing out a large green button on a tribal-themed necklace. Martin's collection includes whimsical “china” buttons – small, white ceramic buttons with colorful, stenciled-on designs. Martin said her...Read more