Plastic Jewelry experts! Need help!

As far as I know, All plastics have their own unique smell. Bakelite smells like embalming fluid. Lucite smells like moth balls, and little old ladies, to me. Celluloid smells kinda sweet and musty, at the same time. Amber, when heated, smells like burnt hair.
Dont know how much sense this makes, it's still way too early to think straight.
Need coffee....:asleep::wacko:
Of course this is just my personal oppinion.
Paula
 
Ok, I took some quick pics. According to a book I have, this would be celuloid. But I have always thought celluloid was light and delicate. this necklace the chunky sound of bakelite, resembles a bakelite smell, although it smells a little fishy, if that makes any sense. I know, I know, ew. but after doing more research, I am wondering if this is isn't French Bakelite. According a website I found, french bakelite is supposed to resemble bone or ivory. Look at the close up of the bead.

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/bakelite-necklace.jpg">

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/bakelite-necklace-detail.jpg">

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/bakelite-necklace-screw-cla.jpg">
 
This is Celluloid. We call this particular style of celluloid "Ivoroid". Well, at least the white beads are. The black? Don't know yet. The most definitive method for identification of your plastics (short of scientific analysis) is a hot needle test.

I can email anyone some information about a fabulous button book that is all about plastic buttons and how to identify them from one of the foremost plastic button collectors in this country. I understand that she only has a few copies left from her original printing.

I don't see why you couldn't use the hot needle method to positively identify items other than buttons for better sales!!

Patti
 
P.S. Celluloid will smell like camphor when heated. Also, try putting in it a jar all by itself and closing the lid. Leave it as such for a few days and then open the lid and take a sniff. You'll get a whiff of the camphor! Celluloid "off-gases" and the smell of those gases is the "camphor". Also, do NOT store your celluloid with metals. They will react with each other and both items will begin to deteriorate. Celluloid should be stored in a well ventilated area (a jewelry box with vent holes) and they should be checked on occassion for deterioration.

patti
 
hmm...I'm afraid that I can help you with the ID of the plastic but the age? I'm going to have to go with the time frame during which this type of plastic was prevalent. And, my disorder disorder kicked in...can't find my plastic button book! I'll have to get back to you on that, but if I had to guess, I would say 40's or 50's at the LATEST ( just based on the plastic).

Patti
 
Hi,
I'm curious. Without doing a hot pin test to determine if these are plastic how do you know they are not bone or ivory? With those lines they look like bone to me but I am certainly no expert.

Marie
 
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