Featured Question about Bakelite colors

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a reference site for Bakelite colors. I picked up two lots of Bakelite and Lucite jewelry. Some of the colors are easy to identify but some baffle me. Here are three examples of the pieces that I am uncertain of the colors. The last set of beads I see called Red Cherry Amber. Is that even a color? Thank you for any guidance you can provide.

 

Lovely pieces, Lizzie, I especially like the beads.

Cherry amber bakelite is an imitation of cherry amber, one of the recognized amber colours.

I believe bakelite can be any colour, it depends on the colouring agent that was added to the bakelite.

 

Thank you @Any Jewelry. Sadly, though beautiful, the beads are missing the other half of their clasp.
So I guess one just describes the color as best one can? Then elephant would be dark brown and the brooch would be reddish brown?

 

Definitely the beads are best! And I think you are correct to call them Cherry Amber Bakelite. If you do a Simichrome test to confirm Bakelite, include a photo of the test result, but they sure look good from the photo. If it was me, and I was selling on Ebay, I'd sell as an AUCTION. I think you might do pretty well with those, start at your "happy price", but let the market decide. Don't let the missing clasp stop you. Just mention it "for repair" or something. People will buy these for the beads. Definitely measure, include the width of the largest beads, and if you have a gram scale, weigh the necklace and include a photo.

 

@Lucille.b Thank you. I thought they would do best (or perhaps, in reality, I would do best) to list them as an auction. The three I posted here are just the tip of what is in those lots. But most I am able to identify the colors specifically, like butterscotch, green, red,black etc. These three just had me stumped.

 

Agreed...but I've never seen clear Bakelite, or Catalin.

 

Excellent counsel, Lucille!

 

Thanks, Wlwhittier.

What I've found is that there are completely different, very specific buyers for Cherry Amber Bakelite. Not your regular jewelry buyers. I would AUCTION in a NY minute. I don't even know what people look for, let the market decide. Some go for crazy prices. I'm not kidding about weighing them and including that in the auction.

I don't know if there is a color chart for other types of Bakelite, you might be able to find something online or maybe someone here knows. The top two just look like black from the photos, but because you are asking, I'm thinking not black. Just get super good photos, in direct light, indoor light to show the color the best you cans at a minimum, and give an estimate..."dark green" or whatever you see. I think people generally buy for the shape/design of the item, versus some rare color, but could be wrong.

On the question of clear Bakelite, one translucent I've seen is sort of yellow tinted, called "Apple Juice Bakelite" and those can do pretty well, esp if carved.

 

I don't know of any colourless transparent Bakelite, but there is apple juice Bakelite, which is a translucent/transparent apple juice colour.

Catalin is always opaque as far as I know.

 

Sniped by Lucille.

 

Many of them are ethnic jewellery collectors.

 

Lovely finds.
I have sold some cherry amber bakelite the last few years, but I think your necklace is not the right color. It should be more dark red.
Also true cherry amber bakelite has a specific 'swirl/cloud' pattern, which shows itself when you put a light behind it.
But do list them on ebay and people will be able to tell for themselves.

As for transparent bakelite: I have some pieces that are clear: absolutely clear green, yellow and red and even one that is almost colorless/slightly yellow transparent with just a single cloud here and there
So yes, I do think its possible to find an almost clear transparent piece of bakelite.