Since the 1990s, many pieces made of authentic, old Bakelite have been produced by artisans. Some of these are similar in style to older pieces, and they will test as Bakelite. These are usually highly carved pieces, bangle bracelets with dots, and other desirable styles. While these artisans maintain that they did not try to fool collectors with their work, some of these pieces, unfortunately, do get passed off as old Bakelite by re-sellers today. It is wise to do some research before buying high dollar Bakelite jewelry if you want to make sure you are purchasing a vintage piece. Other highly carved imported pieces have been made with materials resembling Bakelite, and collectors many times refer to these as “Fakelite” since they were meant to deceive collectors. All the items in this guide are believed to be vintage, with most dating to the 1930s and ’40s except where noted. The Bakelite Shown Above: Two carved Bakelite Bracelets and one leaf carved brooch Value: $270 (Morphy Auctions - 8/14)
Brown Bakelite Bangles
Two brown Bakelite bracelets with carving sold together. Value: $180 (Morphy Auctions - 6/12)
Paul Whitman Good Luck Bakelite Ring
Promotional item for bandleader Paul Whitman"s radio show in the 1930s. Whitman’s face is on each side of the ring. The swastika represented good luck at the time the ring was made — silver on black Bakelite. Value: $120 (Morphy Auctions - 2/12)
Bakelite V for Victory Pin
Vintage World War II (1940s) Bakelite V for Victory pin with original pin back. Condition: good. Value: $138 (Morphy Auctions - 1/11)
Carved Red Peppers Pin
Vintage Bakelite carved chunky red peppers pin with original pin back. Described as “later production.” Condition" excellent. Size: 2 3/8" x 3". Value: $207 (Morphy Auctions - 1/11)
Bulldog Pin
Rare bulldog pin with celluloid teeth and brass collar. Condition: near mint. Size: 2 3/8" tall. Value: $1,495 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08), $671 (Bonham’s - 12/09)
Bakelite Green & Black Striped Bangle
Thick bangle bracelet with green and black layering. Condition: excellent. Value: $103.50 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)
Bakelite Cameo Link Bracelet
Bakelite ovals with applied celluloid cameos and celluloid links. Condition: excellent. Size: 7 - 1/4" long. Value: $149.50 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)
Bakelite Overdyed Horse Pin
Bakelite carved and overdyed, or resin washed red horse pin with brass chain harness. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 3/4" tall. Value: $207 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)
Bakelite Carved Green Pin
Bakelite Carved Green Bar Pin. Shows original bright green color on reverse. Condition: very good to excellent. Size: 3 1/2" long. Value: $45 (RubyLane.com 5/10)
Bakelite Marbled Bangle Bracelet
Bakelite unusually shaped bangle with marbled mottling. Condition: excellent. Value: $115 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)
Bakelite Carved Flower Necklace Set
Carved Bakelite Flowers mounted on medallions. The necklace has a celluloid chain. Stretch bracelet with Bakelite components. Condition: excellent. Value: $150 (RubyLane.com 1/10)
Bakelite Saucer Bangle Bracelet
Vintage butter-yellow bangle in a saucer shape. Condition: Very good to excellent. Value: $30 (1/10 - RubyLane.com)
Bakelite Overdyed Wagon Wheel Pin
Overdyed or Resin Washed wagon wheel pin. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 3/4" tall. Value: $230 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)
Bakelite Gold & Red Sword Pin
Condition: excellent. Size: 4 1/4" long. Value: $316.25 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)
Bakelite Dark Yellow Hinged Bracelet
Condition: excellent. Size: 3" wide. Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)
Bakelite Dark Red Horse Head Pin
Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/2" long. Value: $258.75 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)
Bakelite Horse Head & Shoe Pin
Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/2" wide. Value: $287.50 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)
Bakelite Hat Pin with Flowers
Condition: excellent. Size 2 1/2" long. Value: $230 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)
Bakelite Gun, Hat, Saddle & Whip Pin
Condition: excellent. Size: 4" long. Value: $402.50 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)
Pair of Yellow Honeycomb Bangle Bracelets
Pair of faceted honeycomb bangles. Condition: excellent. Size: 1 1/8" wide. Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Air Raid Warden Pin
Rare air raid warden pin. Condition: excellent. Size: 3 1/2" long. Value: $690 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Cherry Juice Quilted Bangle Bracelet
Cherry juice (refers to clear coloring with cherry being more uncommon than apple juice Bakelite) quilted bangle. Condition: excellent. Size: 5/8" wide. Value: $143.75 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Overdyed Fox Pin with Movable Head
Rare overdyed or resin washed fox pin with movable head. Condition: near mint. Size: 3" tall. Value: $862.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Deeply Carved Green Rope Bangle Bracelet
Deeply carved green rope bangle bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 5/8" tall. Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Ladybug Bracelet
Unusual ladybug bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 7 1/2" long. Value: $402.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Googly Eye Pumpkin Pin
Very rare pumpkin pin with googly eyes. Condition: excellent. Size: 5 1/4" tall. Value: $6,325 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Rabbit with Wooden Basket Pin
Hard to find Bakelite and wood rabbit with basket pin. Condition: excellent. Size: 3 1/4" tall. Value: $402.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Wolverine Pin with Movable Arm Holding Sword
Rare overdyed or resin washed wolverine pin with movable arm. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 7/8" tall. Value: $1,035 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Red Bird Pin with Wooden Wing
Red bird pin with carved wood wing. Condition: near mint. Size: 4" long. Value: $172.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Doghouse Pin with Dangling Charms
Hard to find doghouse with three charms. Condition: excellent. Size: 3" tall. Value: $632.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Red, White and Blue Eagle Pin
Red, white & blue shield pin with eagle. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/2" in diameter. Value: $1,265 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Painted and Overdyed Genie Pin
Unusual overdyed or resin washed and painted genie pin with brass accents. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 7/8" tall. Value: $862.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Gun with Dangling Charms Pin
Bakelite western pin with saddle, 10-gallon hat, and rope charms. Condition: near mint. Size: 2 5/8" long. Value: $230 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Uncle Sam Top Hat Pin
Hard to find Uncle Sam hat pin with metal eagle accent. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/8" tall. Value: $517.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Strawberry Pin
Strawberry pin with carved leaf and painted accents. Condition: excellent. Size 2 1/4" tall. Value: $258.75
Black and Cream Bow Tie Bangle Bracelet
Hard to find black and cream bow tie bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 3/4" tall. Value: $1,840 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Red Heart and Arrow Necklace
Red Bakelite heart and arrow charms on celluloid chain. Condition: near mint. Size: hearts measure 3/4" tall. Value: $460 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Multicolor Bow Tie Bangle Bracelet
Rare multicolored “bow-tie” bangle bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 1/2" wide. Value: $1,265 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Pocket Knife with Dangling Pencils
Rare Bakelite pocket knife pin with attached pencils. Condition: near mint. Size: 3 1/2" tall. Value: $920 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Red Carved Bangle Bracelet
Carved Bakelite bangle - 3/4" wide. Condition: near mint. Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
Orange Carved Lily Pad Bangle Bracelet
Note: This piece may not be authentic vintage Bakelite. Pieces made in similar styles have been made since the 1990s. Some of these are genuine Bakelite, but they are not vintage pieces. Value: $460 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)
