Bakelite - Formula 409 and Simichome Test Results

The common household cleaner Formula 409 is a popular test to determine is something is bakelite. Dip a cottton swab with some 409, rub the tip on the back of the piece in question for about 8 to 10 seconds.

If bakelite it will turn a mustard to honey or sunshine yellow color as shown. Clean the 409 off of the tested piece with a paper towel dampened with water. Simichome (a metal polish) can also be used and will give the same "yellow" results. Photo courtesy of: rumor_has_it

Bakelite - "Rootbeer" Bracelet

Bakelite, developed by Belgian born scientist Dr. Leo Baekeland, is a phenolic resin (a combination of carbolic acid and formaldehyde). A test for bakelite such as the bracelet above is to run it under hot water for 10 seconds or so - and then smell it. It will smell like formaldehyde. Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Bakelite - "Butterscotch" Bracelet

Bakelite bangle bracelets in a "butterscotch" color. Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Bakelite - Prystal

Great example of a bakelite "prystal" bangle bracelet. Photo courtesy of: somerville33

Bakelite - Prystal

Photo courtesy of: somerville33

Bakelite - Deeply Carved

Deeped carved red bakelite bangle bracelet. Photo courtesy of: somerville33

Bakelite - Deep Carved - Closeup

Photo courtesy of: somerville33

Celluloid - Necklace

A plastic derived from cellulose, a natural plant fiber. First made in 1865. Is a highly flammable homogeneous colloidal dispersion of cellulose nitrate and camphor. Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Celluloid Necklace - Closeup

Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Galalith - "French" Bakelite

This is an early plasic, produced from milk protein, but not

"true" bakelite. Usually French but was also made in Germany. Photo courtesy of: somerville33

Galalith - "French" Bakelite - Closeup

This bracelet commemorates Charles Lindberg flying "The Spirit of Saint Louis" to Le Bourget Field in Paris in 1927. Rare! Photo courtesy of: somerville33

Galalith - "French" Bakelite

Galalith is often brightly colored. As it isn't chemically related to bakelite it doesn't react to Formula 409 at all. Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Jelly Belly

Created by Trifari a true "jelly belly" has a body made from clear lucite. Circa 1940s. These are rare and highly collectible. Photo courtesy of: rhinestonez

Lucite - Yellow

Yellow lucite set. Lucite (a methyl methacrylate polymer) was among the first plastics derived from petrochemicals. Developed by DuPont in 1931. The polymer’s crystal-clear appearance and its strength were far superior to nitrocellulose-based plastics. Photo courtesy of pyschocat1959

Lucite - Yellow - Closeup

Lucite was in heavy demand during World War II for use in windshields, nose cones, and gunner turrets for bombers and fighter planes. After the war, DuPont marketed it for use in a variety of decorative and functional uses, such as lamps, hairbrushes and jewelry. Photo courtesy of pyschocat1959

Lucite - Multi Colored Rings

Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Lucite - Multi Colored Rings - Closeup

Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Lucite - Bangle Bracelet

Laminated lucite bangle with raised "lace" design. Photo courtesy of: tankerbell

Lucite - With Embedded Sea Shells

Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Lucite - Pink "Moonglow"

This type of "soft shiny" lucite is known as "moonglow" for it's resemblence to moonlight. Photo courtesy of somerville33

Plastic

Designer: Hattie Carnegie. Highly carved green plastic. Photo courtesy of sommerville33

Plastic - Closeup

Photo courtesy of sommerville33

Plastic - Thermoset

Thermoset is a plastic which under heat and pressure polymerizes into a form which cannot be re softened due to

Plastic - Thermoset - Closeup

crosslinking of the molecules. Here is an example of a pink thermoset plasic necklace. Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Plastic - Bird

Good old "plastic". Bird design. Great details. Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01

Plastic - Bird - Closeup

Photo courtesy of: jewelcollect01