Bakelite? Necklace

Evening all,
Does this necklace, clasp and stringing look the right age for Bakelite?.
I got a yellow reaction on a Q-tip with some baking powder but not as clear as with another Bakelite necklace I’ve got. No seams on the beads.
I think the beads are meant to resemble bamboo.
Thanks

 

I have used the scrubbing bubbles method before
https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Is-it-Bakelite

 

Good article.
I’m in the UK so no Scrubbing Bubbles or Simichrome here.
I may try the hot water test though.
Thankyou

 

Hot water is one method, but I worry about getting an old vintage string wet. You can carefully rub a piece with your hand until you feel some heat in your finger, then quickly smell the plastic and the smell is unmistakable.

Maybe get a control piece --something 100% verified as Bakelite. Practice doing the various tests on it like the friction test and get used to the smell.

As I side note, I might be the odd person out, but I'm not 100% sure the necklace you showed in another post was Bakelite. It may well be, but it is unusual stylistically to have such large Bakelite beads, and I had a vintage mottled green bead necklace with oversized plastic beads that was almost a dead ringer to yours, looked like Bakelite and were not. Also your result on the Q-tip was a bit light but again don't have it in the hand. So for now, just keep that necklace to the side. You are in the UK, maybe vintage designs were a bit different than the US. Not impossible. Finger's crossed it is Bakelite, of course!

There are certain pieces I could ID from a photo alone (or from 10 ft away) to be Bakelite, just based on style and design. This necklace is not one of them so you will need to test. I don't see any seams which is good. Is the clasp marked?

 

If this is a seam and it is on all of the beads, they're plastic not Bakelite.

 

Looks like a reflection. I generally use a damp cotton swab and sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda. It's pretty universal and dirt cheap into the bargain. Dunk the swab in the baking soda and rub on the suspect plastic. Hard. I'd do it close to my nose and take a good whiff at the same time. The yellow color can be nicotine but there's no mistaking the stink.

 

How are the end pieces attached to the beads? Or are they attached to the string only?

 

Get yourself some Maas Concentrated Metal polishing creme, works the same as simichrome.

 

Yup, agree on Maas, it works.

 

What about Autosol?. We've got some of that.May try it on a hidden area.

 

Definitely no seams, just reflection as very shiny!

 

The first bead is on a wire and after that onto string.