Bakelite, Lucite, Plastic Beads & Buttons
Plastic jewelry was first made in the mid-19th century and became very popular in the 1920's and 30's. Celluloid was one of the first plastics used followed by Bakelite and Catalin.
Bakelite was invented in 1909 and was used to make many items including jewelry and buttons. Catalin came later in the 1930's. It was made by a different company and was available in more colors.
These materials were easy to mass produce and affordable, so they were perfect for the bold geometric designs of the Art Deco period. Lucite was invented in 1931, and it could be made crystal clear and in many vibrant colors.
It was a stronger material that was so superior, it made bakelite obsolete after WWII.
The market for all this jewelry is hot and getting stronger all the time! We hope you enjoy our collection of beads, pendants, buttons and more! |
Butterscotch Bakelite Ovals |
Bakelite Yellow Rounds |
Cherry Amber Beads |
Oval Bakelite beads in a butterscotch orange color. They have a wonderful shiny patina. These large beauties are in very good condition. Very limited quantity available. Circa 1930's
Size: 16x13mm
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Bakelite round beads in a yellow color with some hints of orange. in perfect mint condition. These beads are in very good condition. Limited quantity available. Circa 1930's
Sizes:
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Wonderful beads that are faux cherry amber rounds. They are a dark red color, and are slightly translucent. They are in perfect unused condition. circa 1970's
Size: 15mm
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| Celluloid Carved Coral Flower Beads |
Faux Ivory Pikake |
Celluloid Carved Beads - Maroon |
Coral has always been popular and copied. These beads that are deeply carved in a floral pattern from an early plastic, material, celluloid. They are a deep salmon coral color. See another view. There is one matching screw clasp. Circa 1930's
Size: 12mm
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These are faux ivory beads shaped like the delicate pikake flower. These are popular beads traditionally used in Hawaiian and oriental designs. We have them in two sizes. See another view.
Sizes:
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Fabulous beads that are deeply carved in an art deco pattern from painted celluloid. They are very shiny maroon color. These vintage beads came from a mercantile store that closed in the 1940's and these have been in a clean storage area ever since, they are in perfect unused condition. circa 1930's
Size: 15mm
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| Celluloid Carved Beads - Caramel |
Celluloid Carved Beads - Red, Navy, Green |
Lucite Yellow & White Petals- Vintage |
Pretty beads that are deeply carved from painted celluloid. These are a light tan or caramel color are they are very shiny. These vintage beads came from a mercantile store that closed in the 1940's and these have been in a clean storage area ever since. There are a few small chips around the carvings, probably original to the beads, because they are unused. circa 1930's
Size: 15 & 17mm
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Pretty beads that are deeply carved from painted celluloid. They are very shiny and just gorgeous. These vintage beads came from a mercantile store that closed in the 1940's and these have been in a clean storage area ever since. There are a few small chips around the carvings, probably original to the beads, because they are unused. circa 1930's ~ also available in Navy and Green
Size: 15 & 17mm
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These vintage petal beads are a light matte yellow and a frosted white color. They have a ridges all around a central drilled hole. You get 10 yellow and 10 clear beads in a package. Vintage
Sizes: 12.5mm
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Lucite Amber Bones- Vintage |
Painted Celluloid Petals |
Gray Marbled Lucite - Vintage |
Little Lucite bone beads in a great translucent amber color. You'll find lots of uses for these beads.
Sizes: 8x4mm
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Large celluloid petals painted yellow on one side and orange
on the other. They are slightly concave so the edges are raised, it has a lovely effect. A very rare bead; I've never seen a bead painted different colors on the front and back.
Sizes: 22mm
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Vintage Lucite beads in a free form shape. They are a wonderful gray marbled color.
Sizes: 17mm
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| Catalin Beads - Dark Red |
Faceted Pink Lucite |
Faceted Yellow Lucite |
These are the coolest beads we've ever seen! They are made of Catalin which is very similar to Bakelite. They were made in the 1930's and are in perfect unused condition. They have curved lines in them that look like fiber optics.
It is hard to see in the pictures, but the lines move as you turn the beads - they are really a rare find. Circa 1940's
Sizes: 15x 10mm & 17x12mm
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These large Lucite beads are wonderful. They are vintage German beads that are both twisted and faceted, and a beautiful light pink. They are so sparkly that they look like crystals.
Sizes: 18mm
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These large Lucite beads are wonderful. They are vintage German beads that are both twisted and faceted, and a beautiful golden yellow color. They are so sparkly that they look like crystals.
Sizes: 18mm
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Bakelite Floral Buttons-Yellow |
Simulated Turquoise & Coral |
Trio of Resin Hearts |
These bakelite buttons are a lovely soft butter color. They are perfect for embellishing, quilting and crafts. They look fabulous with a bead in the center. These buttons came from a mercantile store that closed in 1940 and have been in a clean storage area ever since. Sold in packs of 10.
Size: 11mm
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These vintage beads came from a mercantile store that closed in the 1940's and these have been in storage ever since. The boxes were marked simulated turquoise and coral. We are not certain of their composition, but they have excellent wear ability since they are waterproof and very durable. The ridge encircling them is highly polished and very pretty.
Sizes: 12mm
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We got these puffy resin hearts from an old bead store in New York. We love their bright colors and shiny finish. Each pack comes with a red, navy and violet heart. Drilled across at the widest part of the bead.
Sizes: 37 x 30mm
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Jet Lucite Abalone Pendants |
Jet Lucite Abalone Teardrop Pendants |
Vintage Carved Scented Resin or Paste Beads |
These large pendants are made of a jet Lucite with imbedded with natural abalone chips. They half tear drops and have the retro 1960's confetti look. The abalone has a fabulous glow and great colors. They are well made and very durable. Will make a gorgeous pair of earrings. Drilled sideways through the top. See the back. Circa 1960's
Size: 2 x ¾ inches
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These large pendants are made of a jet Lucite with imbedded with natural abalone chips. They are tear drops and have the retro 1960's confetti look. The abalone has a fabulous glow and great colors. They are well made and very durable. Will make a gorgeous pair of earrings. Drilled sideways through the top. See the back. Circa 1960's
Size: 2 x ¾ inches
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These natural looking beads resemble dyed bone, but they are handcrafted out of a very light weight resin. They are sometimes called scented paste beads. Their sizes vary from bead to bead, but are approximately 20 x 10 mm. Designs vary as well (shown). Use them alone or with other beads. The scent has faded. Vintage Mauritania.
Sizes: 20 x 10mm
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| Bakelite Barrel Beads |
Bakelite Rondelles - Hand Faceted |
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Wow! These are rare bakelite beads made to look like barrels. So unusual I have never seen any like them before. There are circles cut out on the surface all around the bead. You can tell they were cut by hand, since each one is slightly different. These beads are an olive green color with browns and reds mixed in. They have a wonderful shiny patina and match the faceted rondelles on the right. They are in excellent condition. See another view. Circa 1930's
Size: 20mm
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Fabulous Bakelite beads that have been hand faceted into rondelles. These beads are an olive green color with browns and reds mixed in. They have a wonderful shiny patina. These are in excellent condition and match the barrels on the left. Circa 1930's
Size: 12x15mm
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| See Our Bakelite Jewelry |
See More Vintage Buttons |
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