Collectibles: Testing Bakelite
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What Is Bakelite?
Bakelite is a product made up of formaldehyde and carbolic acid. It is because of the formaldehyde that there is a very easy way of testing Bakelite in order to determine whether it is true Bakelite or mere plastic, etc.
It was devloped by Dr. Leo H. Baekland in 1909, designed to be more substantial than celluloid in order to be used in industries. It wasn't until the 1930s during the depression that colorful kitchen ware and jewelry begin to be produced from it as an inexpensive replica of the more costly tortoise designs, allowing even the most meager income levels to purchase it with most costing between 3 cents and a dollar or two.
At the beginning of WW II however, manufactures begin to focus on producing products that the military needed and both kitchenware and jewelry took a back seat, those that were still produced were a somber looking gray-ish black. By the time the war was over, lucite and acrylic had become the fashion of the moment material and Bakelite was for the most part, history.
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Testing Bakelite for authenticity
The Semichrome or 409 test:
Place just enough 409 or Semichrome on the tip of a cotton swab and gently rub back and forth over the piece (preferrably on the back or location less visible in case the piece is plastic). Withing 10 seconds, the swab will turn yellow to orange-ish yellow if it is a true bakelite piece. If the swab turns pink to yellow, it is celluloid. If after 10 seconds of rubbing and no color change to the swab, it is most likely not bakelite. The only exception is that sometimes a freshly cleaned piece or a black piece of bakelite will give a false negative, or rather a clean swab when in fact it truly is Bakelite.
The Hot Water Test:
Place the piece beneath hot running tap water for about 10 seconds or until heated thoroughly and then smell. If the scent of formaldehyde is present, it is Bakelite. If the scent of Camphor (similar to Vicks Vapor rub) then it is Celluloid. If the scent of burnt milk is detected, then your piece is Galalith, a milk based French type of Bakelite that will also not react to the 409 or Semichrome test.
There are some rare pieces of Bakelite such as certain bangle bracelets that fetch well over $300 each. There are also some very nice pieces that are worthy about $25. If you find an item that you are interested in purchasing, it would be in your best interest financially to do a little research on the piece and find out it's current market value so that you do not end up paying $300 for a $25 item.
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Oh 50 Caliber, I'm sorry I'm just seeing this. I've had a really trying past few months that has turned out (in the end) to be great news, but it was a rough ride there for awhile. I'm back now and can't wait to get caught up on yours and his (and a few others') hubs. I have a lot of reading to do!
I also remember when laundry detergent only came in powder and there were dishes inside. I also remember my mom complaining because she seemed to always get a box that had a cup in it! haha We lived way out in the country and no neighbors she could trade with that got something else!
I HAVE BOUGHT A BRACELET, THAT WAS SAID TO BE BAKELITE, AND BOUGHT FROM A LADY IN PENNSYLVANIA, FROM AN ESTATE, WHERE IT WAS IS STORAGE. THIS IS CHERRY RED, CARVED, WITH HORSES, BIRDS,AND FLOWERS, WITH EACH SIDE MATCHIING IDENTICAL TO THE MIDDLE, WHERE IT MEETS WITH A FLOWER. IT IS QUTIE LARGE, BEIDG 3 INCHE WIDE AND 2 1/2 INCHES FROM THE OPENING TO THE BACK. WHEN TESTED WITH HOT WATER, I GET A STRANGE SMELL, OF SOMETHING OLD. LIKE IT HAS BEEN STORED FOR A LONG PERIOD, BUT ALSO A DIFFERENT SMELL. WHICH I CANT SEEM TO MAKE OUT AS THE OLD SMELL SEEMS TO COVER IT UP. I HAVE NOT IDEA IF THIS IS BAKELITE, BUT WAS SOLD AS SUCH. IS THE SMELLL STRONG ENOUOGH THAT YOU WOULD KNOW RIGHT AWAY/ VERY CONFUSED AND A BIT ANGRY, GORGEOUS BRACELET. BUT BAKELITE??????
Hi Katie! Your bracelet sounds lovely and if it is genuine bakelite, most likely will be on the more valuable list. I've read accounts where people say that the hot water test makes them smell like kerosene or diesel when in fact mine tend to resemble that of old formaldehyde. Either way, the smell is always so faint to me that I generally only use the hot water test to rule out the possibility of a piece being bakelite. If there is no smell, then it's definitely not, but if there is any indication of a chemical becoming noticeable as it heats up, then it's definitely worth further testing. The 409 is what I use most often and will not harm bakelite. Simply dip a q-tip into the 409 and stroke it over the piece (with as much pressure as you would use if cleaning it, but make sure the piece is already clean before doing this or what you see on the q tip might actually be dust or grime). If the q tip turns a color between yellow and burnt orange, you most likely have a winner!
50 Caliber Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago
Good information. I have Bakelite ware from my parents home and use it often. I actually had no idea of it being valuable except for holding my Fruit Loops.
As a kid we had Milk, eggs and other dairy delivered to the door step, they also delivered washing powders and a Bake light dinner plate with every so many boxes bought. I don't remember what brand of powder, just remember Mom trying to get a full set of plates.
So I hope your doing well and miss hearing from you. I'll bet Hjmjr does as well. Stop by Breakfast Pop in the mornings around 06:30 Mountain Standard Time we generally have a great time and a good laugh!