Bakelite Jewelry

Chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland ("the father of plastics") invented Bakelite, a synthetic resin, and patented it in 1907. He started the General Bakelite Company (later called the Bakelite Corporation) in 1910 to manufacture this thermosetting plastic.

Bakelite was used for industrial products, but after the patent expired in 1927 other companies began to produce it, forcing down the price. This made production of inexpensive consumer products possible. Plastics became affordable substitutes for more expensive traditional materials, and molded plastic, which used less hand labor became an important part of "the machine age."

The competition also brought about the introduction of new plastics in a variety of colors. Soon these cast resins were being used to make toys, chess pieces, telephones, radios, and many other products. Bakelite jewelry, available in bright colors and fantastical designs, was inexpensive and great fun to wear.

Those of us who suffer from "Bakelite fever" are grateful because Bakelite was very widely used throughout Europe and North America during the first half of the twentieth century - there are still many vintage Bakelite items around for those who are into the hunt.

And it's interesting to note that more than 100 years after it was invented, Bakelite is still made today. It is used in a wide range of applications, including automotive, electrical and other industrial products, and even the space shuttle.

Bakelite was used to make a fantastic and fabulous range of costume jewelry. Whimsical Bakelite pins and brooches were cheerful additions to any outfit. Bakelite rings, earrings, necklaces, and beads were inexpensive and fun to wear. And Bakelite was used to make bracelets of every sort: bangles, hinged bracelets, link bracelets, cuffs, stretch bracelets, and charm bracelets. Because Bakelite could be carved and was easy to polish, it was the ideal medium for inexpensive jewelry, especially during the Great Depression.

Bakelite: An Illustrated Guide to Collectible Bakelite Objects by Patrick Cook. A collector's guide to Bakelite objects, including the history of Bakelite and 170 color photographs of collectable Bakelite objects. Also includes information on care and maintenance, identification, and much more.

Bakelite Style by Tessa Clark. A big coffee table book offering an overview and history of Bakelite products

Bakelite Jewelry: The Art of the Carver by Lyn Tortoriello and Deborah Lyons. More than 1,000 pieces of carved Bakelite vintage jewelry in a book that honors the art and impeccable craft of carving Bakelite into jewelry.

The Bakelite Jewelry Book by Corinne Davidov and Ginny Redington Dawes. The authors have assembled an amazing array of Bakelite jewelry. 160 illustrations, 150 in color. A must-have for vintage Bakelite jewelry lovers!

The Bakelite Collection by Matthew L. Burkholz. This wonderful book describes some of the many differing collecting preferences of some of the nation's most prolific appreciators of fine Bakelite jewelry. Their stories, experiences, lovingly assembled collections will delight every Bakelite collector. The Bakelite Collection showcases these fantastic jewelry arrays in luscious detail, using full color photography. A price guide is included.

Bakelite Bangles: Price & Identification Guide by Karima Perry. Focusing on bakelite bangles - this illustrated book covers testing for authenticity, how to judge quality and features a reference guide. A chapter devoted to the contemporary artistic works of Ron and Esther Shultz is also included.