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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: icedgold10 on May 03, 2014, 02:56:55 pm

Title: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: icedgold10 on May 03, 2014, 02:56:55 pm
I just picked this up but can't get a definitive test result.  From looking at the picture what do you think?
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: mart on May 03, 2014, 08:12:17 pm
Looks like the metal findings are very tarnished between the beads !! It wasn`t expensive whatever it is !! Could be bakelite !! Rub the large stone with your thumb to warm it and see if it smells like formaldehyde !!
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: rustyattic on May 03, 2014, 09:22:01 pm
What's formaldehyde smell like?  I did the rub test earlier on a pair of earrings.  There was a strong smell and I turned my head the other way.  Is it like a chemically/house cleaner smell?
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: KC on May 03, 2014, 11:34:29 pm
Yep rustyattic!  Formaldehyde was a preservative and used in embalming!  Very stinky almost pickling smell - but somewhat noxious.
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: icedgold10 on May 04, 2014, 04:38:18 am
I put it in warm water and it had an odd smell.  Not very pleasant either. 
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 04, 2014, 05:50:44 am
so would it be bakelite?
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: mart on May 04, 2014, 01:00:41 pm
Sure possible !!
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: KevinM on May 04, 2014, 09:09:25 pm
Did you test it using Simichrome Polish? If not then you may want to get some and give it a try with a white cotton cloth or cotton swap and if the cotton turns yellow after applying Simichrome on it and rubbing the necklace with it then it's probably Bakelite.
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: frogpatch on May 05, 2014, 01:37:01 pm
To me bakelite jewerly smells like an overloaded electrical part when rubbed hard on a pants leg. Many electrical sockets, caps and outlets are made of bakelite and when they overheat the smell is distinctive.
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: icedgold10 on May 05, 2014, 07:54:10 pm
Good description Frogpatch! ;D
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: mart on May 05, 2014, 08:22:31 pm
LOL !! In other words,, it stinks !!
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: Buddie11 on May 07, 2014, 07:40:21 pm
Me thinks it's catalin. As far as I know Bakelite is brown or black only!
Title: Re: Vintage necklace Cherry Amber, Bakelite or other?
Post by: icedgold10 on May 07, 2014, 07:41:26 pm
Bakelite comes in all colors.