Looking for a present for that special person in your life (or maybe yourself)?
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Then Bakelite could be the way to go and if you have started to read my blog recently then you might of seen the word “Bakelite” mentioned a few times on here and could be wondering exactly what I’m talking about? Is this Bakelite something I have recently baked? Did my husband baked it (because I certainly don’t bake lol)? If those thoughts passed thru your head you would be incorrect, Bakelite is actually a plastic or its more technical name: “polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride” Say that 3 times fast..or say it at all 🙂
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.
Bakelite was created by accident by Leo Baekeland (a scientist and a millionaire from selling his photographic paper patent to Kodak), in 1907 when he was trying to find a replacement for shellac and ended up creating one of the first plastics made from synthetic materials (discovered it would never melt). The plastics were used from everything from radio and telephone casings to kitchenware, jewelry (very popular due to its low cost to purchase especially during the depression) and even children’s toys (Wikipedia-Bakelite).
-Picture from the Bakelite Museum in the UK-
World War 2 though brought the end of Bakelite production by the main producers of the plastic “Catalin Corp” due to the need to focus on the War effort and this saw new plastics like fiberglass, vinyl and lucite take its place in popularity.
Bakelite is now highly converted for its retro appeal by the mid-century vintage loving crowd. The jewelry more than anything and if you we’re to go on Etsy or eBay right this second you will see many pieces of Bakelite for sale at insane prices. As example…the 1940s Bakelite cherry necklace below.
Source: Etsy
Don’t fear though, you can find Bakelite at lower prices than what I have shown here (especially if the vendor is not aware they are selling Bakelite or you win it on eBay or you get a nice seller who sells it under value or the piece is not as fancy, etc.).
Fake Bakelite: The vintage world has been taken over by “Fakelite” aka “looks like Bakelite but is not and very inexpensive to purchase”. I personally own a few pieces myself from Luxulite and I love them (especially on my low budget). They are a SUPER way to get the look of Bakelite without the cost.
Here are some vendors on Etsy that you can buy from today:
****CAUTION: REAL Bakelite is hard to spot unless you know some tricks to test the plastic or know trusted vendors online or in stores. Decolish has as a great blog post on Bakelite testing that is a must read if you wish to venture into purchasing a piece or two of your own. People will try to sell you fake Bakelite at high prices so proceed with caution.******
In the Rockabilly & mid-century vintage crowd the women love their Bakelite and there is many a blog and online pictures with these beautiful women wearing gorgeous Bakelite bracelets (the plastic comes in the most beautiful colours and can be carved, inlaid or laminated with decorative designs thus making them the most popular). I have started my own collection myself and currently own a bracelet, brooch and earrings (like the collection of bracelets below).
These Bakelite yellow bracelets were being sold as set on Etsy
Source: Etsy
So with all that said, I will leave you with a some Bakelite jewelry images to get you dreaming of beautiful bangles and brooches to put under the Christmas tree (or even before that!). Happy Shopping!
Vintage marbled amber Burnt orange Bakelite, thick hoop earrings 1940s / 1950s.(avail as of March 17th, 2022 HERE).
Source: Etsy
1940s Vintage Bakelite Brown and Orange Dress Clip (Tested). Dress Clips can be worn at the neck of a blouse or dress as they just clip onto the fabric. Very fun fashion accessory! (August 2020 Update)
Source: Etsy
Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite Charm Bracelet (Tested). Such a stunny piece of Mid Century Jewelry. (August 2020 Update)
Source: Etsy
Bakelite Brooch/ Signed Shultz Jewelry/ Vintage Bakelite Buttons and Butterscotch Ball Dangle Brooch.
Source: Etsy
Fantastic 1940s Bakelite Grape Cluster Brooch via Etsy.
Source: Etsy
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Deeply Carved Floral Leaf Motif Heavy Butterscotch Yellow Bakelite Bangle 1930s.
Source: Etsy
Vintage Bakelite Bracelet Transparent Apple Juice Marbled.
Source: Etsy
Do you love Bakelite as much as me? Share any thoughts you have on this topic in the comments section below.
Shopping for Bakelite: I have recently created a regularly updated, Etsy collection page of ‘Vintage Bakelite‘ jewelry that you can find HERE.
Further Reading:
Thanks for dropping by!
Liz
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I love bakelite. I started collecting it back when I was living in Boston. I had begun to collect the original Fiesta pottery and bakelite flatware went perfectly with it. Eventually, I amassed quite a collection of Fiesta, which I later sold. But I kept the bakelite utensils.
Bakelite was invented by Leo Baekeland, a Belgian chemist, in Yonkers, NY (not too far from MHC.) In 1909, he patented a phenolic resin that was used in industrial applications. It eventually entered the consumer market and was used in radios, pool balls, jewelry, flatware, kitchenware – all sorts of decorative applications.
I love the way the colors get richer with time. If I see something with even a touch of bakelite, I’m all over it.
The vintage flour canister was a retro red that I liked, but what sealed the deal was the bakelite handle. The shape and color are fabulous. The vintage napkin ring is the same color except for that wonderful green beak. Bakelite was really popular in the 1920’s and 30’s and you can see that in the deco design of both pieces.
I have a lot of flatware that I keep in an old Harlequin jug. These colors make me happy.
These pieces are in the same color family as the napkin ring and the canister handle.
Most of these handles are a dark green.
The two spoons at the bottom of the photo are red, although it’s hard to see that in this photo.
These are my favorites. I love that two-tone look.
I also have this large kitchen knife and even use it occasionally.
You’ve seen these before. The mah-jongg tiles are also made of bakelite.
I have a bangle bracelet somewhere in a wonderful blue color. And I have a sneaking suspicion that there is more bakelite around here that I am forgetting about…but that can be another post. I’d love to know if any of you have bakelite pieces?
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