Bakelite has seen numerous applications since its development in 1933. From jewelry to pipes, from toys to weapon magazines, Bakelite is basically the very first form of synthetic plastic developed. If you want to make sure that the accessories you have acquired are made from genuine Bakelite, then the following guide will provide you with 5 easy tips. Keep in mind that you should not employ the hot pin testing method, as most of the old plastic is highly flammable. Fortunately, there are several other ways to determine whether or not you’re dealing with Bakelite.

1. Try tapping two Bakelite pieces together and listen to the sound

First, in order to learn the Bakelite on Bakelite tapping sound, you’ll need two genuine pieces and two more made from different types of plastic. Gently hit the two sets and listen for the distinct “clunking” sound proprietary to the former one.

2. Pay attention to the weight

Due to the molecular composition, accessories made from Bakelite are denser and therefore, substantially heavier. Try comparing two pieces of similar dimensions and you’ll realize that the genuine Bakelite weighs more.

3. Does it smell like Bakelite?

Bakelite doesn’t have an intrinsic smell, so in order to conduct this test you will have to heat the accessory by vigorously rubbing it with your hand. At this point, genuine Bakelite should produce a distinctive smell comparable with formaldehyde. You can also keep the accessory in hot water for the purpose of this test.

4. Does it dent and scratch like Bakelite?

Examine the surface of the accessory with the aid of a jeweler’s loupe. A surface that is in perfect condition indicates that it’s not Bakelite, but more probably a new plastic material. On the other hand, if you notice very small dents on the surface of the pieces, dents and other imperfections caused by normal wear and tear, then it’s more likely that you’re dealing with a genuine piece of Bakelite. These dents are often located in the proximity of the carving’s edge.

5. Does it cause polishing solutions to turn yellow?

Simichrome Polish or Formula 409 from Scrubbing Bubbles are the cleaning solutions you can employ to find out if you’re dealing with authentic Bakelite. The test one implies dampening a piece of clean cloth into Simichrome Polish and gently rubbing the interior of the piece. In general, the cloth becomes yellow very fast in contact with this solution, but lacquered/dark Bakelite does not trigger this effect. Formula 409 can also be applied with a cotton swab on the interior for further testing. If the swab becomes yellow, then you are dealing with genuine Bakelite.

Final word of advice

In order to be absolutely certain in regards to the authenticity of a Bakelite accessory, performing all the aforementioned tests is recommended. Although it may fail the polishing test due to its coating, you’ll know that you’re dealing with real Bakelite when it meets the other requirements, namely smell, dents, weight and sound. Purchasing your accessories and jewelry from reputable traders constitutes further guarantee that you’re not going to end up with cheap replicas made from improper materials.