Beautiful Bakelite...You are at a yard sale, and spot a jumble of beaded necklaces, broken watches and earrings, and you head right over to see if you can find a treasure worthy of Ebay. As you search, you pull out a few beaded necklaces that "feel" different, some bangle bracelets. Carefully inspect the beads, first: Do they have seams, or are they smooth? Are they swirled, or a single, slightly translucent color? Are they light, cool to the touch, or heavier and hold the heat of your hand? Is there a clasp, and does it look new, or old? It looks old. And you spot earrings, screwback earrings, with matching beads. You have a set. Your heart beats a little faster.

You might have discovered a set of Bakelite beauties.

You move on to the bangles, and apply the same questions to them: Are they warm? You rub them with your thumb, and they keep the heat. Seamless? Two have a seam that runs the length, and they are very light, and when tapped make a high, hollow 'ping' sound. Put them back. The last one feels 'fuller', heavier to the touch, and has a softer glow. It is an odd greenish-yellow, and shiny. You add it to your pile of treasures, just in case.

Bakelite, a type of plastic, was discovered by accident in 1907 by a Belgian born chemist, Dr Leo Baekeland(1863-1944). Having moved to New York he inadvertently created the first completely man made liquid resin, which he named Bakelite. When poured, it completely assumed the shape of the mold it was in. It soon became an inexpensive choice for jewelry, cosmetics boxes, kitchenware...But did you know they also made bakelite shaving kits, cameras, radios, plugs, handbags, records, Christmas light bulb casings, silverware handles, pitchers, cups...even furniture?

One of the biggest collections of Bakelite jewellery ever amassed belonged to Andy Warhol, and was stored in several bonded warehouses across the USA. You name it ...Andy probably had it !!!!!

In the film Top Hat featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the floor was constructed out of Bakelite for the dance scenes. Evidently the most suitable material available at the time !!!

And here you are, dilly-dallying around at a yard sale, and you just might have put your hands on fine Bakelite jewelry from the 1940's and 1950's...Amazing. After you make your purchase, you go home and TEST your possible Bakelite.

Since Bakelite is a resin-type of material, there can be a chemical reaction if a certain compound is rubbed against it. A simple test for Bakelite is to use Simichrome Polish, a polishing paste used by motorcycle and auto enthusiasts. Simichrome polish is a metal polish, available for purchase on ebay or through Competition Chemicals of Iowa Falls, Iowa. A pinkish paste, similar to toothpaste, when applied to a soft cloth or a Q-tip and rubbed against bakelite, the friction and chemical interaction will turn the Simichrome a bright, rusty orange color.

So, you tested your beads and WOW! Here's the orange flash. It's Bakelite! And so are the earrings. The bangle does not test positive, so it is likely a newer plastic. Now that you have confirmed your treasures, you go onto Ebay and research your items, and post a listing. A few days later, you have 12 watchers, and three bids! A great find of Beautiful Bakelite!

Remember: When you sell a vintage piece, you are selling history with it. Do a little homework, and offer insight into the history, manufacturer or origin of your piece if you can. your Buyers will thank you for your attention to detail, and they will feel they're getting a buyer's premium...Your devotion to your auctions! Happy selling!