How can you tell if poker chips are Bakelite?

Using Formula 409 Cleaner

To use, dampen a cotton swab with 409 and rub it gently on the inside of the item being tested. If it is Bakelite, the swab will turn yellow. If a piece is lacquered, it may test negative with 409. Black Bakelite pieces often fail this test as well.

How do you tell if it's Bakelite?

The "Hot Water" smell test - Dip your item into hot water or create friction on the item by rubbing it on a piece of clothing to create some heat. Authentic Bakelite will have a chemical smell of formaldehyde. The Weight Test - Bakelite should feel heavy and substantial for its size.

How can you tell the difference between Bakelite and Lucite?

Smell it. Bakelite and Catalin will have a distinctive formaldehyde odor when rubbed until warm or run under hot water, this is a good indication that it's bakelite. Lucite, a plastic that can resemble bakelite/catalin has no smell under the hot water/rub test.

What are two characteristics of Bakelite?

What is the most collectable Bakelite?

Red is one of the most sought-after Bakelite colors, and the classic cherry design is one of the most popular Bakelite forms, forming a perfect pair in this eccentric bauble. Its unique and flamboyant style would be a great addition for both new and experienced Bakelite collectors.”

How to Test Bakelite Celluloid - How to Tell the Difference - Testing Bakelite Celluloid Lucite,

How much is Bakelite worth?

What's Your Bakelite Worth? As with many antiques, prices for Bakelite can be anywhere from a few dollars for a button to tens of thousands for a Bakelite radio and everywhere in-between. The average Bakelite bangle might set you back $20-30.

What cream to test Bakelite?

Use Simichrome to test Bakelite, sparingly apply a dab of the cream to a soft cloth and gently rub a small spot on the inside or back of the item being tested. If it is Bakelite, the cloth should turn yellow with ease (although the color may vary from light to.... If a piece is lacquered, it may test negative.

Does Bakelite glow under black light?

No! It doesn't fluoresce. You get a surface reflection but no reaction. The fluorescence is generally a muddy green color.

How do you test Bakelite with scrubbing bubbles?

Place a small dab of MAAS, SimiChrome, 4O9, or Scrubbing Bubbles on a clean rag or cotton swap and firmly rub it on the plastic. When two pieces of Bakelite are tapped together, they make a clunky sound, as opposed to when two pieces of "regular" plastic are tapped together, they make a "tinny" sound.

What colors are Bakelite?

Bakelite in solid colors is the most recognizable type even without employing testing measures. The most readily found colors are yellow, ranging from butter yellow to dark butterscotch, followed by various shades of green. Red is one of the most popular colors of Bakelite jewelry with collectors.

What years was Bakelite made?

The introduction of Bakelite—the world's first synthetic plastic—in 1907 marked the introduction of the Polymer Age.

What year did they stop using Bakelite?

Bakelite applications in conservation were discontinued in the 1940s because of certain disadvantages that soon became apparent. The lack of records and relevant information precludes any assumption on the extent of its use and in which institutions.

Why is Bakelite no longer used?

By the late 1940s, newer materials were superseding Bakelite in many areas. Phenolics are less frequently used in general consumer products today due to their cost and complexity of production and their brittle nature.

What is the smell of burning Bakelite?

When we think of overheating plastic, we think of plastic melting. But Bakelite is a little different. When overheated, it doesn't melt, but instead breaks down into its constituent parts, one of which (formaldehyde) smells nasty, and isn't good to inhale.

Does Bakelite get brittle with age?

Store it out of direct sunlight, which fades the colors, and away from heat sources, since temperatures over 100 degrees make Bakelite brittle. Handle it carefully but don't be afraid to use it. Your Bakelite has already lasted for decades, and chances are you will enjoy it for many more.

How can you tell the difference between Bakelite and catalin?

Bakelite only comes in dark colors, usually black or dark brown. Catalin can come in a wide variety of color colors, including bright colors and marbling. Bakelite is opaque, while catalin is often translucent (can often see this at the edges of an item).

Does Bakelite darken with age?

Oxidation of Bakelite over time has caused the color of most pieces to change over time, usually becoming darker. Some change color completely, white Bakelite turns mustard yellow, for example, and blue has turned green.

Is Bakelite still collectible?

Today, jewelry made of original Bakelite material still holds its value as seen in this Mark Davis Floral Bakelite Bangle and this Four Color Bakelite Beaded Necklace. Collectors often deal in vintage Bakelite and suggest only buying from a reputable and experienced dealer as a way to avoid purchasing Fakelite.

What is so special about Bakelite?

Like many modern plastics, Bakelite was lightweight and durable, and it could be molded into nearly infinite shapes, so its use quickly expanded as manufacturers realized its potential. Consumers primarily were attracted to its aesthetic qualities: a sleek, stylish look coupled with a substantial, high-end feel.

What are the disadvantages of Bakelite?

However, bakelite had its obvious limitations: it was resistant, but fragile. The hardness and lack of flexibility that made it suitable for certain uses was a drawback for others. “You couldn't make packaging from Bakelite, or fabric, or anything transparent, super lightweight things,” Freinkel sums up.

What is one of the most common use of Bakelite?

Bakelite is a good insulator that is used in the manufacture of non-conducting parts of radio and electric devices such as sockets, wire insulation, switches and automobile distribution caps etc. It is used in the manufacture of clocks, buttons, washing machines, toys, kitchenware, and other items.

What are the pros and cons of Bakelite?

Pros: Bakelite tabletops are lighter than stone and can be easily moved from inside to outside. However, just like stone, Bakelite is relatively scratch and heat-resistant. Cons: If you are looking for the heft and sound of stone, Bakelite will be disappointingly light, and it has a hollow, ringing sound.

Is vintage Bakelite safe?

Bakelite jewelry is stable and considered as safe to wear as any other plastic jewelry; the danger in terms of chemical exposure was in the manufacturing process. If your bakelite jewelry breaks however, it is recommended that you no longer handle it to avoid breathing in dust particles.