Bakelite Necklace

Bakelite or not?

 

Not
Test for amber.

 

If you're wearing jeans, rub vigorously on the leg then put to your face. Amber will be hot.

 

Nice necklace, love the colour.
Amber doesn't leave a stain like that. I'd say cherry amber bakelite, but I'm not a plastics expert. Here are some plastics identification tests:
https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.c...stics-vintage-toys-pins-plastic-collectibles/

 

I don't think it is stain. I think it is the lighting. Plus Bakelite wouldn't have been strung like this.

 

Not amber - stick a UV on it to be sure. Colour on that test looks wrong for Bakelite, too.

 

I tried to use some backlight to show the interior pattern but the pictures did not came right?
So, what is the most probable material?

 

The stain on the q-tip.

 

OP did you wash the beads prior to the q-tip? (Did you use simichrome or...?)
That result looks a bit dark; may be you're getting nicotine residue or something similar....just a thought.

 

I also was wondering about the look of the stain on the q tip. Doesn't quite look like the distinctive result I'm used to seeing when testing Bakelite.

 

Lucille I know the yellow can vary somewhat depending on the item itself & test product used but it's always more yellow than brown in my experience.

 

They are a bit dirty and I have not washed them. Should I?

 

That cord may not hold up in water so maybe use a damp cloth with a bit of dish detergent and wipe clean....then test one of the clean beads.
What are you using to test?

 

Baking soda. Will try that when get back home.

 

Baking soda is great. By the way here's a pic of cherry amber bakelite beads I have -these are "Prystal" but the color is similar (no dark swirls though). Depending on light they can appear more brown or red.

 

You need to use mild ammonia if you don’t have simichrome. It’s the ammonia in the silver polish that reacts to the phenolic resin in bakelite.
Based on that screw clasp with the thread insert, I’d be leaning more towards amber or faturan.

 

If that's a photo under UV, then certainly not amber. The blue veil isn't there. Wipe a bead with a bit of spit, it works very well. Then try Maas if you don't have Simichrome.