Authenticating Bakelite Bangles

Certain characteristic of Bakelite are unmistakable and the collector should begee familiar with the weight, feel, and appearance. Confirming whether a piece is in fact Bakelite can be a geplex bona fide predicament, at anytime you are shopping or just bidding on a bangle on okay. Therefore, I will be giving you advice on gemunicating with the seller when you are not sure the piece is authentic.
Ask the seller to perform test(s) for you; usually a motivated seller will be happy to assist with your instruction:

Verification of mold lines on the bangle, Bakelite jewelry was finished with a method that erased any mold line.
Bakelite is a heavier plastic then Celluloid, Lucite, and all present day plastic bangles.
Sound test Bakelite make a distinctive lower pitch clunk when tapped together. Other plastic make a higher pitch click sound. This does not work on tone deaf individuals.
Look for glue marks this could indicate repair, adhesives had not been developed prior to 1950 any metals were imbedded in the plastic, attached with screws, pegs or rivets.
Signs of oxidation inside the bangle are slightly darker or lighter in color on the outside. Chances are this is a piece of Bakelite.
Hot water testing place the piece under hot running tap water up to 30 seconds, quickly smell the piece it should smell like fresh varnish or formaldehyde. If the gives off a powerful odor when in hot water during testing it mostly a Fakelite a term to describe a newer material that has some characteristics of Bakelite, but is not.
Chemical testing Scrubbing Bubbles spray a cotton swab and lightly rub the surface, look for yellowish stain on the swab and quickly wash the piece in dishwashing soap and dry, Scrubbing Bubbles can strip the finish off and I do not regemend this. Dows 409 Cleaner this does not strip the finish and is a preferred method, test in the same manner as above. If the testing swab turns a pale brownish, color it mostly a Fakelite a term to describe a newer material that has some characteristics of Bakelite, but is not.
Certain kinds of Bakelite will not respond to some or the entire above test; in that case, I would beware and follow your instincts in deciding whether a piece is really Bakelite or it just to pretty to pass up, buy it.
Written by Annette Nolan of AnnEpiphany of Wisconsin
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