About BakeliteBoutique:

Whether you are looking for whimsical bakelite pins, uniquely carved bakelite bangles, or sophisticated turn-of-the-century celluloid rhinestone bangle bracelets, navigating through this collection will make you feel like a kid in a candy shop. If bakelite, early plastic and lucite vintage purses are your interest, then you will find this vintage purse collection tantalizing.

And for those who love vintage costume jewelry, bakelite is an exceptional antique collectible.

A Brief History:

Invented in New York in 1907 by the Belgian-born chemist, Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland, bakelite was the very first man-made or synthetic plastic. Bakelite was nonflammable and could withstand 100,000 volts of electricity, thereby becoming the material of choice for electrical insulation, telephone, radio, and auto parts... as well as cutlery, chess pieces, billiard balls and of course...

Beautiful Costume Jewlery!

Celluloid was developed in 1868 from sulfuric and nitric acids on cellulose and was extremely flammable. It was used in the manufacture of costume jewelry through the 1920's, which became known as the "Celluloid Era." It is interesting to note that Lucite, Vinyl and Nylon were not developed until the 1930's.

This bakelite and celluloid collection represents a lifelong passion for the most unique, beautifully crafted, high-end pieces that were made from the late 1800's through the 1950's. Enjoy!