Posted 6 years ago
valentino97
(720 items)
I just bought this wonderful 16.5" red choker/necklace. I thought it was bakelite but doesn't pass simichrome tests. Also because of the crazing on barrel beads and at the clasp. Doesn't matter to me - this is very nice.
It's a great example of old plastics out there. The color is most true to first picture - a lovely opaque warm red.
Note the faceted round beads tool marks? I believe this is from Europe. Items from US in this same time frame were not faceted but smooth lovely beads.
Please chime in if you know something more - thanks for looking!
A most beautiful necklace! I would be glad to have it in my jewelry collection, oh and by the way....Fantastic photos!!
Thanks Kevin for immediate love, and AGH and Mike.
Thanks Ken - it is pretty great necklace. Keep looking - you can find these. (Tip: if the plastic items you find have seams - not as old. Lot's of seams on plastics show up in the 1970's. Some are great - just check them over.) Great photos? Only outside in daylight - thank you for your nice comments.
Valentino,could you write something more about simichrome tests?This is new for me.Thanks :)
Hi Ivonne - Simichrome is a german metal paste. You should find it easily. I bought mine on ebay. A small amount applied to q-tip or soft white cloth and then rubbed on plastic will turn yellow because of a certain chemical that Bakelite has off-gassed (oxidized?) over the years. There are other ways to test for bakelite: smell test after hot water or rubbing the item. If you read thru past bakelite posts here you'll get better information than mine. I've been collecting plastics for 40 yrs but the difference between bakelite, galilith, celluloid and Lucite still take me awhile to determine. Have fun!
Thanks again!I've learnt something new about plastics what about I didnt have an idea before!
Wonderful necklace Val! I will answer your email soon, sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I really enjoyed hearing from you, as always :)
Thank you Elisabeth for the nice message! I owe you a nice long email too. Happy Spring!
And thank you friends for loves: Karen, Kyra, Mike, Trey, Rick, Vintagelamp, Sean, Newtimes (long time no hear!!), and Katherine!