At the ROADSHOW event in Louisville in 1998, expert Gloria Lieberman appraised this bracelet that the guest believed was made of Bakelite.

Bakelite or Fakelite? Learn the Difference!

Posted 1.25.2016

BY Dylan H. Leavitt

Made of a combination of phenol and formaldehyde, Bakelite is a type of plastic that became popular during the 1930s and 40s as a material not only for jewelry, but for other consumer goods like hairbrushes and radios, too. Here are a couple of helpful hints from our experts, including appraiser Gloria Lieberman, when testing your favorite plastic accessories!

Related Appraisals

Bakelite Bracelet, ca. 1940
Philadelphia Bakelite Bracelet, ca. 1935

With simple design, color, and texture, the bracelet that jewelry appraiser Gloria Lieberman inspected in Louisville in 1998 shows a tasteful example of modern plastic jewelry. The type of plastic determines the monetary value of a piece like this. Based on the weight and feel, the guest believed the piece to be made of Bakelite, a sought-after early form of plastic. Lieberman explains that valuable examples of Bakelite tend to be the rarer forms. According to her, these rare forms tend to have multiple colors, distinct carving, and laminates — a style where the color is woven together. This particular bracelet did turn out to be real Bakelite, with a 1998 retail value of $300 to $500. Testing your plastic jewelry can involve a few different senses, including sight, smell, and feel. In this case, Lieberman uses a very minimal test to see if this particular bracelet is composed of that combination of phenol and formaldehyde. Fill a glass with hot tap water and dip part of the plastic in. Odorless? Then it's probably not Bakelite. As Lieberman demonstrates, true Bakelite ought to come out of the water with an "acrid" smell. Sometimes, beauty can have a less appealing side. Let's say your object isn't a stylish bangle or cuff, but instead a larger plastic object such as a hairbrush or radio. In this case, it would be much easier to use a dab of Simichrome cream to check the material makeup. A small dab of Simichrome will tell the truth by turning from pink to yellow when applied to real Bakelite. Simichrome will not work on black or lacquered Bakelite.

Simichrome cream is widely available; you can apply it to the object with a soft cloth. Although it shouldn't affect the surface texture and color of your object and is a non-abrasive product, be sure to apply the Simichrome dab on a less prominent part of the piece and clean the surface after application.

Author Dylan H. Leavitt

Dylan H. Leavitt Dylan H. Leavitt is ANTIQUES ROADSHOW's digital associate producer.

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