posted on February 16, 2001 07:37:39 PM
I had this saved in my computer I think the source is at the bottom I own a lot of bakelite thru the years--
BAKELITE, LUCITE, AND CELLULOID PLASTIC
The most highly collected vintage plastic, Dr. Leo Baekeland patented the process of making bakelite in 1909.
Similar materials like catalin used in radios and other consumer goods were made by other companies.
Bakelite was very widely used and in demand for radios, jewelry, kitchen utensils and dinnerware, and as
decorative features on other items like cocktail shakers. Bakelite is a type of plastic that is made under high
heat, but it cannot be recycled. Bakelite is a very flexible material which can be decorated through molds,
carvings, inlays, lamination, etc., and it could be made in most any color. Bakelite can change color, with whites
usually turning more cream colored for example. The exposed area can darken and acquire scratches, and a
type of patina forms on the surface. It can be opaque, translucent, or transparent. Most, but not all, bakelite will
emit an acid smell when placed under hot water. Bakelite is a sturdy material and is rather heavy, more so than
celluloid or lucite.
Lucite is a resin created by DuPont in 1937. DuPont widely licensed lucite for use in jewelry because it was
inexpensive and easy to work with in carving, inlays, etc. Like bakelite, lucite could be manufactured in most any
color and can run from opaque to transparent. Lucite was particularly popular from about 1940 to 1953, but it is
still produced and widely used today. Imbedded lucite made during this period by incorporating glitter,
rhinestones, sea shells, and other materials was widely used in hard sided purses which are actively collected
today.
Celluloid was one of the first plastics to be widely used in making jewelry. Jewelry made of celluloid dates to
about 1900 and was quite popular during the art deco period. Celluloid has characteristics which are different
from other plastics. Celluloid items tend to be thinner and lighter than bakelite, and it is definitely more brittle
and can crack when heated to higher temperatures. Some celluloid pieces can even be flammable, and while
more brittle than bakelite it can still be bent or twisted. Under hot water, most celluloid has a smell like vinegar
or old camphor. Celluloid jewelry can be damaged by moisture, temperature extremes, or chemicals. Celluloid
that has been stored in a closed environment for long periods can also dull quite dramatically and even crack.
The best and safest way to test and identify vintage plastics is with simichrome polish which you can purchase
at most hardware stores. It's somewhat expensive, but it is also great for polishing bakelite, silver, and most any
metal. Polished bakelite will leave a yellow residue on the cloth regardless of what color the bakelite is. Another
good way to test for bakelite is to hold it under hot water for about 30 seconds and then smell it. Bakelite has a
very distinct odor somwhat like a shellac. If there is no odor, it's likely the piece is lucite. Dow Bathroom Cleaner
is widely used to test vintage plastics, but you have to be very careful not to harm any gloss finishes on the the
piece being tested. Test this method on a small area first on the back or inside of a piece. Spray a small
amount of Dow Cleaner on a swab and rub it on the test area for a few seconds. If the swab develops a yellow
color regardless of the color of the plastic, the piece is probably bakelite. To be safe, wash the tested area
immediately with warm water since it can damage the finish. You can also use Formula 409 in the same way as
Dow, and it's probably safer for the bakelite. You can strip the finish or gloss from bakelite if you rub too hard,
making it dull and hard to restore. If you inadvertantly do this, use simichrome polish to attempt to restore the
finish. If necessary, repeat the polishing several times. Some people also use car wax to attempt this, but
personally I prefer simichrome. It is possible for bakelite to fail one of these tests if the piece is dirty, has an
applied finish or sealant not original to the piece, or which has a damaged finish.
Selections from the Collectics Bakelite/Lucite/Celluloid pages.
I may add I usually just clunk it on my teeth...Bakelite has a sharp clunk,plastic or celluloid is usually dull.
Also try rubbing it in your hands it should get hot and you should smell some formaldyhyde smell....
There is the older bakelite easily identifiable thru the colors usually butterscotch, forest greens,browns,blacks, creams, and reds------also applejuice.
Lucite today is easily mistaken for bakelite.
Hope this helps! Z
[ edited by zeldas on Feb 16, 2001 07:42 PM ]
