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*Is this real Bakelite?

There are many good sites our there that will instruct a novice buyer or new collector on how to test Bakelite/Catalin. If the piece does not have mixed materials or glue on it, run it under hot tap water for 30 seconds. If it is Bakelite, it will give off a chemical smell that has been described as a "formaldehyde odor." The actual chemical you are detecting is carbolic acid.

Bakelite develops a golden yellow patina on its surface over time. You can use a white cotton swab dipped in 409 cleaner or simichrome polish to remove a small amount of this patina. Swab the item on the back or inside of the piece that is less visible. If the swab picks up a gold or yellow color, the piece has passed another test for Bakelite. I have heard other dealers say that black Bakelite doesn't always pass the swab test. I have found this to be true on occasion. I have had a piece that did pass the hot water test, but it did not pass the swab test.

Bakelite is a phenolic "thermoset" resin that cannot be melted and reformed once it has been molded. Therefore, it can be tested using a hot needle or pin. This test is not recommended because it can permanently damage the item you are testing.

There are many good resources on Bakelite and its history. Check your local or online book seller for more information on this fascinating subject.

*Can fake or reproduction plastic jewelry pass these tests?

The unfortunate answer is yes. There are companies (especially in China) that manufacture reproduction Bakelite jewelry. If a seller has multiple duplicate "vintage collectible" pieces of "Bakelite," be cautious. It is very unlikely that they stumbled upon more than one rare vintage piece of identical or even similar color, size, composition or patterns.

With any vintage or antique item, there is probably going to be some evidence of wear or age. I mean, we are talking about jewelry that gained popularity during the Depression Era. Look for tiny suface scratches and tiny pits or other typical wear found on old plastic jewelry. Use a magnification loupe if you find it helpful.

*What is French Bakelite or Galalith and why are there so many pieces for sale these days?

I have to say, this is one of the vintage plastic jewelry topics that concerns me the most. Beware of dealers who claim their pieces are  "Galalith" or "French Bakelite." These dealers might also tell you that a piece of "French Bakelite" jewelry is just as desirable as American Bakelite only it doesn't pass the hot water or chemical swab tests. 

Ask yourself this question: If a piece did not pass any chemical identification tests, how did the dealer identify the piece as French Bakelite or Galalith? Better yet, ask the seller this question.

Real "French Bakelite" does exists. It is called "Galalith" or "Galalithe." It is a milk protein (casein) based plastic that was used before World War II to make some wonderful collectible examples of vintage plastic jewelry. However, the term has been so misused in the past several years, I'm afraid of the confusion it might cause in the market for real Galalith jewelry.

When you run a piece of real French Bakelite (aka Galalith) under hot water for 30 seconds, you will detect a musty smell that has been likened to "wet wool" or "burnt milk."

But be careful when buying anything advertised as "French Bakelite." I was in an antique mall in Michigan this past summer. A dealer who had a lot of real American Bakelite/Catalin in her booth also had a big black bangle bracelet with colorful dots all over it. It wasn't as shiny as real Bakelite. It did not have a chemical smell when I rubbed my thumb over it to create friction heat. It was labeled "French Bakelite $79."

I saw that same bangle bracelet widely available on the Internet. So I ordered one and researched all the seller's items. Sure enough, the seller had multiple copies of that bangle bracelet. The bangle I bought did not smell like "wet wool" or "burnt milk" when I ran it under hot tap water. (I had a feeling it wouldn't.) I concluded that bangle was a reproduction, probably made in China.

I have no problem with people wanting to buy or sell reproductions, but this misuse of the term "French Bakelite" or "Galalith" could hurt dealers and buyers who wish to collect the real thing.

Happy Collecting!

AlloyAntiques