Bakelite, Lucite, Plastic Beads & Buttons

What is Bakelite or Catalin? These are early versions of plastic. Bakelite was invented in 1909 and was used to make many items including jewelry. Catalin came later in the 1930's, it was made by a different company and was available in more colors. A lot of jewelry that people call Bakelite is actually Catalin, the names are used almost interchangeably. Both materials were perfect for the bold geometric designs of the Art Deco period. Lucite was invented in 1931, it is a durable crystal clear and stronger material. It made bakelite and catalin obsolete after WWII. The market for all these products is growing and getting stronger all the time!

Bakelite round beads in a dark green color with yellow marbling. This bakelite color is traditionally called spinach. There is a wonderful shiny patina on these large beads. They have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Sizes: 13 & 15mm
******New Sizes********

Bakelite round beads in a green color with yellow marbling. This bakelite color is traditionally called creamed spinach. There is more of the yellow swirling than shows in the picture. They have a wonderful shiny patina. These large beads have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Size: 22mm

Bakelite round beads in a gorgeous cranberry swirl color. This bakelite color is unusual and you'll want to grab these quickly! They have a wonderful shiny patina. These large beauties have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Sizes: 12 &19mm
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Bakelite beads in a golden color with brown mixed throughout. They have a wonderful shiny patina. These large beauties have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition. They are available in a large square and round shape. Very limited quantity available.

Sizes:

Fabulous Bakelite beads that have been hand faceted in an egg shape. These beads are an amber color with brown mixed in. There is more of the brown streaking in the beads than shows in this picture. They have a wonderful shiny patina. These beauties have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Size: 20mm

Fabulous Bakelite beads that have been hand cut into an unusual rectangular shape with rounded edges. These beads are a brown color with streaks of gold and yellow throughout. (Sometimes called Toffee or Mississippi mud). They have a wonderful shiny patina. These terrific beads have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Size: 21x12mm

Bakelite rondelle beads in a rust color with yellow marbling. There is a wonderful shiny patina on these large beads. They have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Sizes: 19 & 22mm

Bakelite rondelle beads in a creamed spinach color with yellow marbling. There is a wonderful shiny patina on these large beads. They have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Sizes: 22mm

Bakelite rondelle beads in a chocolate brown color with light brown and golds swirling throughout the beads. There is a wonderful shiny patina on these large beads. They have been in storage and are in perfect mint condition.

Sizes: 19mm

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.

Sizes: 15x 10mm & 17x12mm
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Old Bakelite beads in a fantastic geometric shape. The holes are run through the corners so the beads are strung on the diagonal.ca 1920's ~ Great tortoise shell imitations, sorry sold out of the black.

Sizes: - Sold Out

Bakelite round beads in the traditional butterscotch color. Great patina on these vintage beads that are in a used condition.

Sizes: 12mm

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

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: 17mm

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

Size: 17mm

Lucite rounds made to imitate amber beads. Nice honey amber color with brown marbling. Vintage German

Sizes: 10mm

These vintage petal beads are a light matte yellow and a frosted white color. They have a central drilled hole. You get 5 yellow and 5 clear beads in a package. Vintage

Sizes: 12.5mm

Vintage lemon moon glow lucite beads.

Sizes: 10mm

These large Lucite beads are wonderful.  They are vintage German beads that are both twisted and faceted, and a beautiful blue color.  They are so sparkly that they look like crystals.

Sizes: 18mm

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

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

Rare sugar beads made of lucite. Sugar beads are more common in glass, but these are just as beautiful. They are a soft green with splashes of red and yellow. Vintage German

Sizes:
6mm- 3 for $2.00 8mm- 3 for $2.50 10mm- 3 for $2.75 12mm- 3 for $3.00

Little lucite bone beads in a great translucent amber color. You'll find lots of uses for these beads.

Sizes: 8x4mm

These sparkling vintage beads still have the made in Western Germany tags on them. They are cubes that have been nicely faceted in a crystal clear color.

Sizes: 8mm

Crystal Lucite beads made up of small rounds. This style of bead is called a berry. They have an iridescent AB coating on them that doesn't show up in the picture. Very fun to work with. Vintage

Sizes:

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

Lucite round beads made to imitate nephrite jade beads. Nice dark green spinach color with black marbling. Vintage German

Sizes: 10mm

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

I love this bakelite pendant, it's carved in a pretty geometric art deco shape and is in fabulous condition. It is on its original brass backing with a jump ring attached. So easy to hang on a chain or a necklace. You'll love it too! Goes great with the bakelite belt buckle we have.

Size: 1¾ inches

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 15.

Size: 11mm *****Sale*****

These natural looking beads resemble dyed bone, but they are handcrafted out of a very light weight resin. 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 natural beads.

Sizes: 20 x 10mm

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. The old boxes were marked simulated turquoise and coral. We are not certain of their composition. 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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