Beautiful cream corn ? mottled with brown smooth bangle bracelet tested bakelite with simichrome. It measures a little over 1" wide with a slightly rounded edge. 2-1/2" inside diameter. Hold it up to the light and it's a golden brown ! This came from an estate so I feel sure it is vintage and extra nice. (Bay Ka Lite) Synthetic resin chemically formulated and named after Belgian chrmist L. H. Baekeland in 1909. Used for molding items which were previously done of celluloid or hard rubber. Bakelite is very collectible in all its forms - most popularily, jewelry, buttons, radio cases, etc. Bakelite has become to be used as a generic term meaning any type of early thermo plastic (mistakenly). It is not actually bakelite unless tested. One test is to rub your fingers across an actual piece of bakelite - warm it and familiarize yourself with the odor and feel. Another way is to immerce the piece in hot water (not if stones are present). The small should be acrid or like formaldehyde or carbolic acid. Bakelite has a "clunky" sound, unlike the lighter celluloid, when knocking two pieces together.. Hot needle testing is sometimes done CAREFULLY. Pick an out of the way spot and prick the piece with a hot needle - note the small ! Also be aware that non thermoplastic pieces will melt, thermoset will not. Another way for testing is to use simichrome metal polish on a q-tip. Rub the item gently and if a yellow residue is apparent, the item is "probably" bakelite. Bakelite is being reproduced and redesigned so note the colors - Characteristic colors include light yellow, dark yellow, butterscotch, pea green, deep green, grass green, lime green, black, brown, maroon, deep maroon, red, orange, navy and deep navy blue. The marbelized colors include greens, golds, tortoise, blue green, rose, plum, peach and lots of yellow shades. Also clear and vaseline pieces. Several wonderful books are available as well as websites that discuss the plastics. The best collectors study the feel, shape and colors but even the most expert can be fooled. Newer whimsical bakelite is enjoying a high collectability but know your dealer ! TO ORDER THIS ITEM JUST CLICK THE BLUE SHOPPING CART BUTTON TO THE LEFT OF THE PHOTO ! ** New ! If there is a PayPal button beneath the Cart button , you can QUICK PAY ! US Postage will be automatically figured into your total If there is no shopping cart button, just email us with the item # at sallbill@suddenlink.net ! International Buyers Welcome - Please email us for special instructions ! Check Our Main Vendor Homepage For * Special Sales & Postage Savings * And Use Our SEARCH MY ITEMS At The top Center Of This Page For More Items Like This ! Always multiple item shipping ! Most of our items are vintage unless we tell you otherwise. Therefore expect them to be in "Vintage" condition. We do not thoroughly clean our vintage jewelry, leaving that to the preferences of the buyer, but if there are any serious problems, flaws or noticeable repairs, we will note it in the description. If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, we will always accept returns or otherwise try to make you a satisfied customer. Our return policy can be found at the top of the item page. |
© 1992-2009 Lee Payne
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