BAKELITE JEWELRY

Is it Bakelite?

Bakelite jewelry is usually large and chunky. These bracelets are very much in demand and in style. Here are a few ways to tell if a piece of jewelry is true bakelite:

Bakelite makes a distinctive clanking sound not heard in other plastic jewelry...

Smell: Run the piece under hot water. Real bakelite will give off a formaldehyde odor.

Chemical: On a small area with a cotton swab apply a tiny bit of scrubbing bubbles, semi chrome polish or 409 Cleaner . If the piece is real bakelite the piece of jewelry will chemically react leaving a yellow color on the swab.