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Bakelite, Lucite, Bangles
Vintage Bakelite, Early Plastics and Lucite Jewelry and Bangles
Bakelite is an early type of plastic invented in 1907 by the Belgium Leo Beakeland in his laboratory in Yonkers, New York. Beakeland arrived in the US at the end of the 19th Century. Soon it was used for the manufacturing of all types of household items, from radios to handles. Bakelite is as versatile as it is durable, and t was everywhere in the home in the 1920's. Combined with Chrome it is the quintessential Art Deco Machine Age look.
Around the Depression of the 1930's, Bakelite was a colorful, versatile and cheap jewelry making material. It could be carved, layered, combined, swirled and formed.
During WWII when metal restrictions were put in place, Bakelite, Celluloid and Lucite continued to be a colorful part of the Costume Jewelry design. After the war, it's luster faded until Andy Warhol arrived on the scene. He loved shopping at fleamarkets and was an avid collector. After his passing in 1988, his extensive Bakelite Jewelry Collection was auctioned off at Sotheby's New York bringing Bakelite to the forefront once again.
Bakelite is still used to this day as Contemporary Designers search for old raw materials and incorporate them to their current collections.
To learn how we test Bakelite, Celluloid and similar materials, please read our article "How to Test Bakelite, Celluloid and Amber".
Products
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Lea Stein Layered Heart Pin Yellow
Fun as only Lea Stein can design, this hear is composed of layered colors. The main top color is Yellow, then Turquoise, Purple and finally Ruby Red There is a thin white layer in between each color. Overall measurements are approximately 1 1/8" by 1 1/8". Small straight pin back where you will find her signature mark. Estimated to date from the earlier production period ca. 1970's.
Price : $85.00
Lea Stein Layered Heart Pin Green
Fun as only Lea Stein can design, this hear is composed of layered colors. The main top color is Green, then Yellow, Sable, Deep Red and finally Lavender. For some reason the Lavender is coming through as Blue on our pictures but it is not blue, it is a light Purple or Lavender. There is a thin white layer in between each color. Overall measurements are approximately 1 1/8" by 1 1/8". V shaped pin back where you will find her signature mark.
Price : $85.00
Bold & Beautiful Extra Wide Panel Bracelet Molded Cabachons
Extra wide rectangular filigree panels measure 2" by 1 1/2" overall. There are 4 panels. Each is adorned with a large elongated oval moiree patterned plastic or Celluloid cabochon. Whichever material it is, it looks like glass but it is not glass. Perhaps some form of thermoset plastic I have not encountered before. Cabochon color is a very nice soft rose color with darker ondulating streaks.
Price : $60.00
Huge Lucite Butterfly Pendant Articulated Wings
Fabulous extra large butterfly pendant necklace. Butterfly measures 3 3/4" in wingspan when the wings are fully opened. Each wing is individually made and attached to he body on a hinge type mechanism. Overall height is 2 3/8" . Gold tone metal, faux pearl eyes. The green Lucite on the wings resembles mottled green Jade. It is a great statement necklace.
Price : $60.00
Cherry Amber Bakelite Necklace
Vintage Cherry Amber Prystal or French Bakelite long graduated and faceted bead necklace. Total approximate weight is 50.4 grams. It does not test as natural amber. Custom built hidden clasp which twists opened and closed. It is so well made I just noticed it has a clasp as I measured the necklace. Bead size starts at about 3/8" (10mm) by 1/4" (7mm) and increases to 15/16" (24mm) by 11/16" (17mm) at the front center.
It is in great vintage condition but there are a few things to mention. It is not knotted, although appears to have the original cord in place, which is in good condition with no frays. There is a line on the clasp, it might be a fracture of years of the stress of twisting. I found one tiny, tiny hole on a bead in the back, perhaps a heat test. Gorgeous Art Deco Period necklace.
It is in great vintage condition but there are a few things to mention. It is not knotted, although appears to have the original cord in place, which is in good condition with no frays. There is a line on the clasp, it might be a fracture of years of the stress of twisting. I found one tiny, tiny hole on a bead in the back, perhaps a heat test. Gorgeous Art Deco Period necklace.
Price : $195.00
ART DECO PERIOD CARVED PRYSTAL CLEAR BAKELITE TROPICAL BIRD LARGE PIN BROOCH
Vintage large Prystal or carved clear Bakelite tropical bird brooch dates from the 1930's. Overall measurements are 3 1/2" top to bottom, 1 1/2" at the widest point and 1/4" thick. The base metal silver tone pin attachment is secured by 2 tiny flat head screws. Unsigned, dates from the 1930's. Excellent vintage condition.
Price : $145.00
Moonglow Lucite Faux Pearl Wide Bracelet
Oh, so 60s! Vintage gold tone link bracelet adorned with bright orange Moonglow Lucite drop shaped appliques and faux pearls. It measures 1 3/8" wide and is approximately 7 1/2" long. It is in very good vintage condition with minor loss of plating where the links connect, due to age and normal wear. Unmarked.
Price : $48.00
Set of 3 Bangle Bracelets Bone Brass
Very nice set of 3 vintage bangle bracelets from India. Made in the 1970s from Bone and Brass. Each measures 1" tall by 1/2" thick at the center with inside diameter of 2 1/2". They are in excellent vintage condition and a really great Summer look with a gold tone chain necklace like the Monet ones we have in stock.
Price : $36.00
Double Strand Moonglow Lucite Baroque Pearl Necklace
Gorgeous vintage necklace with Moonglow Lucite beads, gold tone leaf bead caps, Baroque pearls and plastic crystals. The color is lovely, a beautiful shade of pink. Necklace wearable length is 23" long, which is the length of the shorter strand. The longer strand is 27" long. These measurements were taken with the fold over clasp closed.
Price : $26.00
Old Chinese Silver 12 Signs Zodiac Bangle Bracelet Pair
Pair of old Chinese Silver bangle bracelets with intricate filigree and applied figures. The figures represent each of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac in great detail. They are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake,Horse,Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and the Pig. Each of these is represented. The filigree is very well made too, there is a lot of detail on these hand wrought bracelets.
Price : $345.00
Marbled Lucite Gold Tone Graduated Long Necklace
Elegant and playful, this vintage Lucite beads and gold tone stations necklace is approximately 28" long. The Lucite or French Bakelite beads resemble American Bakelite in Spinach (marbled green with yellow swirls). It has been tested and is not American Bakelite. Beads are roundel shaped and measure from 1/2" by 3/8" in the back to almost 3/4" by 1/2"Thick at the center. Each bead is finished by a fluted bead cap and connected to a gold plated textured twirl station by a jump ring. When you move, the stations seem to move, a very cool effect.
Price : $72.00
Modernist Pink Goldstone Lucite Bangle Bracelet
Another find from sunny Rio de Janeiro, this bangle bracelet is a sure stunner. Lucite is a form of acrylic resin and in this case it is given a molten look. To me, it looks as if the bangle has been melted around the wrist. Very unusual and creative design interpretation.
Price : $165.00
Clear Lucite Bangle Deep Turquoise Inset Bits
Another find from my last trip to Rio de Janeiro! A Fabulous Vintage Brazilian Lucite Clear Bangle with Deep Turquoise Color Bits. It is wide and bold made in clear Lucite. It is populated with suspended deep Turquoise color bits of resin that appear to float inside, although they do not actually move.
Price : $135.00
Reverse Carved Lucite Rose Brooch Earrings Set
Fun and pretty set of brooch and earrings in clear Lucite with a reverse carved rose flower which seems to be enclosed in the material. It is very nicely done and dimensional. The overall shape is rectangular with large facets at the edge.
Price : $48.00
Black Amber Lucite Tassel Vintage Necklace Flapper Style Very Long
Art Deco style long tasseled necklace made of tiny black seed beads and large Amber Yellow color Lucite stations with black seed beads tassel ended in Amber color glass beads.
Price : $25.00
South Pacific WWII Lucite Sterling Sweetheart Charm Pin
Lovely clear Lucite and Sterling Silver sweetheart memento inscribed "S.W.P.A." on the top bar and "New Guinea, Doris & Al Forever, 1944". Isn't that sweet? Mostly considering WWII was raging and this couple was in the midst of the South Pacific Allied stage.
Price : $38.00
We carry Vintage Jewelry, Antique Jewelry, Period Jewelry, Estate Jewelry and Collectible Jewelry, Fine and Costume. Fashions Magazine back issues: Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Elegance, Charm, Mademoiselle, Seventeen, Elle and many others American and Imported. If you do not see the magazine issue you are looking for please use our Contact page to inquire.
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