Estate ques --should I go back for bakelite (??) piece

I'm not exactly new to collecting jewelry but this one stumped me.

I'm going to have to describe. No photos.

There was a bangle style bracelet at today's estate sale they were calling bakelite and asking $20. After 45 years of collecting vintage jewelry I know bakelite and what the big sellers are, this didn't really fit into that category. I've never quite seen anything like it which made me think possibly it was not U.S. made. It was a clear amber color (definitely some kind of plastic) may have been bakelite or maybe celluloid. Looked to be 1930's at the latest. No carving or anything. I didn't do the rub test because even if it was bakelite I wasn't sure it had good resale as prices have kind of dropped in recent years. Would only be interested in this for resale, not personal use, but curious if anyone has ever seen similar. This sale was not well advertised and it might even be there tomorrow for 1/2 price.

Small metal clasp. It had this ODD feature: The clasp only allowed the bracelet to be opened a small amount, not really enough to get over the wrist. There was a little geometric section as the main feature, and this sort of came apart with little rods holding the pieces together, and as these separated they were held by a stretchy string. I'm not sure I was doing it right, but seemed like the only way to get it on the wrist (and I have a small wrist) was to pull apart that feature and then sort of put it back together. Also thought: stretchy piece breaks and this no longer works.

Just the one (amber-ish) color no carving, geometric pieces that come apart held by metal rods. Just curious if anyone has ever seen a bangle bracelet like this. I'm already thinking I'm going back for 1/2 price day. Thanks.

 

That sounds...odd. Bakelite does come that color, it sounds like apple juice, and I've seen some singularly weird clasps on vintage jewelry. For ten bucks it might be worth a gamble.

 

Did they have stretchy string in the 1930-40s?

 

Sure did; it goes back to the Victorian era.

 

Thanks.

 

Sounds interesting Lucille, and like a 'construction' you could see in the Art Deco period. But it is difficult to say anything about it without seeing it. Good luck with your decision.

 

I've seen old bangles with those separation clasps, but not in bakelite. I'd risk it for ten.

 

Well... back from the sale. Got there right as it opened and (luckily) everything I was interested in was still there! So got the bracelet (and necklace in same material). No pictures today. Still milking everything I can get out of my b-day. At least through the weekend, lol --so taking a pause from photographing/Ebay, etc. Will check back in Monday or Tuesday with photographs.

 

Can't wait to see it!

 

Will post tomorrow (Tues). Stay tuned...

 

Yahh....like we're going anywhere ...!!

 

I'm going to start a new post ("Estate Bakelite bracelet and necklace") and will include photos of the necklace that I wound up getting as well. They really look like companion pieces. Curious what folks will think/say about this set. Should have the new post up in a few minutes. Thanks.