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 Lucite and Bakelite Jewelry is hot and getting stronger all the time! We hope you enjoy our collection of beads, pendants, buttons and more! |
| Smoky Black Flat Rhinestone Beads |
Yellow Givre Lucite Beads |
Cherry Red Lucite Barrel Beads |
Rare smoky black flat beads imbedded with four colored rhinestones on each side. The round beads are a matte black color with curving grooves. They are 20mm round and 7mm wide. See view A, B. Size: 20 x 7mm
|
Vintage yellow Lucite beads in a pear of tear drop shape that is slightly flattened. They have a splash of opaque white inside the yellow. See view A, B.
Sizes: 17 x 12mm
|
Lucite barrel beads in a cherry red color. They have a wonderful smooth and shiny patina. These large beads are in very good condition. Great rare color. See another view. Circa 1940's
Size: 9x12mm
|
| Green Lucite Faceted Rondelles Beads |
Green Carved Celluloid Beads |
Strand of Cream and Red Celluloid Oval Twist Beads |
Opaque green Lucite rondelle beads. They have pretty facets around the sides. We have two sizes available and they are sold in packages of 12 beads. See view A, B, C. Circa 1970's
Sizes:
|
Wonderful Kelly green celluloid beads. They have deeply carved ridges around the middle and large holes. See another view. Circa 1930's
Size: 14mm
|
Strand of vintage cream colored celluloid beads that were painted with red twist decorations. They are hollow beads with an embossed design. Nice oval beads that are 12 x 10mm. See view A, B. Circa 1930's
Size: 20x15mm
|
| Strand of Cream and Red Celluloid Oval Beads |
Celluloid Carved Beads - Red and Green |
Celluloid Carved Beads - Maroon |
Strand of vintage cream colored celluloid beads that were painted with red decorations. They are hollow beads with embossed decorations. Nice oval beads that are 20 x 15mm with large 3mm holes. See view A, B. Circa 1930's
Size: 20x15mm
|
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
Size: 15mm
| 
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
|
| Celluloid Carved Beads - Caramel |
Lucite Amber Bones- Vintage |
Vintage Butterscotch Plastic Heart Pendant |
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: 15mm
& 17mm
| 
Little Lucite bone beads in a great translucent amber color. You'll find lots of uses for these beads.
Sizes: 8x4mm
|
This is a butterscotch plastic heart pendant with a dark oxidized metal decoration on the front. There is a dark oxidized bail on the top as well. The hearts are old stock in unused condition. See the back. See anther view. Circa 1950's
Size: 1¼ inches
|
| Catalin - Bakelite Oval Beads - Dark Red |
Celluloid Carved Coral Flower Beads |
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. See another view. Circa 1930's
Sizes: 15 x 10mm & 13 x 8mm
|
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
|
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
|
Bakelite Floral Buttons-Yellow |
Simulated Turquoise & Coral - Vintage |
Gray Marbled Lucite - Vintage |
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
|
These vintage beads are from the 1940's, and the old boxes were marked simulated turquoise and coral. We are not certain of their composition; but think they were formed from crushed turquoise and coral pieces with a compound or epoxy added to harden the mixture. They have excellent wear ability since they are waterproof and very durable. The ridge circling them is highly polished and very pretty.
Sizes: 12mm
|
Vintage Lucite beads in a free form shape. They are a wonderful gray marbled color.
Sizes: 17mm
|
Jet Lucite Abalone Pendants |
Jet Lucite Abalone Teardrop Pendants |
Painted Celluloid Petals |
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
|
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
|
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
|
Red Lucite Moonglow Beads |
Bakelite Yellow Rounds |
Lucite Yellow & White Petals- Vintage |
Red Lucite Moonglow beads in a cherry red color. They have glow and some have sparkles inside. You will get 6 beads with sparkles and 6 with shiny moonglow. These beads are in very good condition. Great rare color. See view A, B. Circa 1950's
Size: 9x12mm
| 
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. They pass the Simichrome test. Circa 1930's
Sizes:
|
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
|
Amber Yellow Bakelite Oval Barrels |
Vintage Carved Scented Resin or Paste Beads |
Butterscotch Bakelite Ovals |
Oval Bakelite beads in a yellow amber color. They have a wonderful shiny patina. These large beads were recovered from some old jewelry and are in very good condition. Limited quantity available. They pass the Simichrome test. Circa 1930's
Size: 19x15mm
|
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
|
Oval Bakelite beads in a dark butterscotch orange color. They have a wonderful shiny patina. These large beauties are in very good condition. Very limited quantity available. They pass the Simichrome test. Circa 1930's
Size: 16x13mm
|
| Bakelite Barrel Beads |
Bakelite Rondelles - Hand Faceted |
Trio of Resin Hearts |
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
|
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
|
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
|
| See Our Bakelite Jewelry |
See More Vintage Buttons |
|
