Featured Do any of these look Bakelite?

Just curious your opinions on these bracelets.... They're gonna be a X-mas present for my sister, so it doesn't matter much one way or another.

Thank you.

 

Pretty. You can test them by rubbing a q-tip with baking soda on them. Bakelite leaves a stain on the q-tip. Simichrome also works.

 

Looks like it's negative. So ok!

 

They are a pretty gift for your sister.

 

Rich, attractive butterscotch bangles...whether or not Bakelite.

 

Make sure the q-tip is damp before dunking in the baking soda and rub hard. You're supposed to make a paste, but I never bother. The three larger ones sure look like bakelite. I'd be expecting the formaldehyde off of at least two of the three. When you tap two of them together, bakelite makes a different sound from acrylic. It's a tell, but your ears have to work well to catch that one.

 

I have finally learnt how to detect the smell of Bakelite/Catalin- it is pungent! I usually rub my thumb on the suspect item until it heats up and then smell the formaldehyde whiff- it's unmistakable! (it you have a good sniffer that is!). I think hot water will do the same.

 

Or baking soda and plain old tap water on a q-tip. Dunk the q-tip in water and squeeze off the extra. Dunk in baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Hold next your nose and rub hard with the q-tip. It should reek to high Heaven and turn the swab yellow-brown.

 

Y'all are really convincing me these are great to collect and wear...

 

Colorful and stinky. What's not to like?

 

I did as suggested with a Q-tip and baking soda--- no real smell and my smeller works fine... some mild yellow on the swab, but negligible. So I'm thinking no. But close enuff!!

 

It was worth a shot.

 

Absolutely! Thank you.