Bakelite Or Not?

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by kardinalisimo, Jul 27, 2019.

  1. kardinalisimo

    kardinalisimo Well-Known Member

    02069AC8-15F0-4210-A54A-7E575DE046AB.jpeg 6425D649-423C-43A6-9175-8C44160A59CB.jpeg C5065837-DCFB-4FA0-9E4B-B2D2A1474957.jpeg 593A9D38-86A7-49E4-8CDD-9B2F70F589B8.jpeg I don’t think it’s modern plastic but why is the test with similar to the beads color instead of nicotine?
     
    scoutshouse and cxgirl like this.
  2. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Always show the entire piece if possible. Assuming there is no clasp?

    Agree that the Simichrome test looks a little funny -- positive is usually more of a yellow/brown but could just be the photo.

    There is an odd mark on one of the beads, photo #1, on the left 6 down from the top descending beads. Is that a reflection, a speck of paint, or some kind of loss of finish? If any kind of finish loss, not Bakelite.

    It does look like a possibly older necklace, beads in descending size, string looks older.

    My advice, learn also to do the rub test with your hand. Bakelite gives an unmistakable scent -- I can tell Bakelite in less than a minute with no chemicals. You just pick a bead and rub it quickly until the friction actually gets the bead warm, then quickly smell the piece. Sort of like "insulation burning", smell is unmistakable once you get used to it.

    Hard to tell definitively from a photo. Maybe others will have thoughts.
     
  3. kardinalisimo

    kardinalisimo Well-Known Member

    4DAC7B56-410F-4A02-9E6A-1FDEFDE245FF.jpeg E25655CF-984B-4681-B2FE-1B9E1EF250AF.jpeg EAACB541-6812-4F55-AE87-E03E1A4456F5.jpeg No clasp. Swab color looks as in the photo. I’m almost positive it’s bakelite but the test result is confusing.
     
    scoutshouse likes this.
  4. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    If there is a finish/lacquer on the bead Simichrome will give a pinkish result like the one you show, and then sometimes Red and Black bakelite doesn't test positive with chemicals.
    the rub test Lucille posted is a good way to test. the bead will heat up quickly when rubbed.
     
  5. kardinalisimo

    kardinalisimo Well-Known Member

    I run it under hot water, I can smell it for a short period of time.
     
    scoutshouse and cxgirl like this.
  6. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    that works too, the smell is pretty distinctive:)
     
    i need help and scoutshouse like this.
  7. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    The red doesn't always respond to chemical tests. Sometimes you can get lucky with the baking soda on a wet q-tip test.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Bakelite
Forum Title Date
Jewelry Bead identification question Cherry Bakelite? Aug 30, 2024
Jewelry About These 'Amber' Non-Bakelite Beads Jun 23, 2024
Jewelry Can't decide if this is bakelite.. May 21, 2024
Jewelry This weeks finds: some gold, bakelite, turquoise, Norwegian and Victorian Apr 21, 2024
Jewelry Help with maybe Bakelite bangle Apr 12, 2024

Share This Page