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! |
| Bakelite Barrel Beads |
Bakelite Rondelles - Hand Faceted |
Bakelite - Cranberry |
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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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. Circa 1930's
Sizes: 12 &19mm
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| Bakelite Beads - Hand Faceted |
Bakelite - Rust Rondelles |
Bakelite - Spinach Rondelles |
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.Circa 1930's Size: 20mm
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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.Circa 1930's Sizes: 19 & 22mm
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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.
Circa 1930's
Sizes: 22mm
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| Bakelite - Chocolate Rondelles |
Catalin Beads - Dark Red |
Bakelite Butterscotch Rounds |
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.Circa 1930's Sizes: 19mm
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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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Bakelite round beads in the traditional butterscotch color. Great patina on these vintage beads that are in a used condition. Circa 1930's
Sizes: 12mm
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| Bakelite - Dark Spinach |
Bakelite Beads - Spinach |
Bakelite Floral Buttons-Yellow |
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.Circa 1930's Sizes: 13 & 15mm
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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.Circa 1930's Size: 22mm
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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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| Celluloid Carved Beads - Maroon |
Celluloid Carved Beads - Caramel |
Celluloid Carved Beads - Red, Navy, Green |
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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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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Lucite Lavender Rounds |
Lucite Lavender Crackle Beads |
Olive Lucite Beads - Vintage |
Lucite rounds made of a soft, pale lavender color. They are large smooth round beads. Vintage
Sizes: 16mm
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Large beads made of lavender lucite that have a crackle look, sometimes called a cracked ice finish. They are large smooth round beads. Vintage
Sizes: 18mm
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Vintage lucite beads in an olive color. They have a rounded sort of bumpy shape. Vintage German
Sizes: 8mm
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| Faceted Blue Lucite |
Faceted Pink Lucite |
Faceted Yellow Lucite |

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
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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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Lucite Sugar Beads |
Lucite Amber Bones- Vintage |
Lucite Crystals - Vintage |
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:
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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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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
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Lucite Crystal Berries |
Painted Celluloid Petals |
Lucite Jade Rounds |
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:
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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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Lucite round beads made to imitate nephrite jade beads. Nice dark green spinach color with black marbling. Vintage German
Sizes: 10mm
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Lucite Turquoise Rectangles- Vintage |
Lucite Yellow & White Petals- Vintage |
Vintage Carved Resin |
Lucite turquoise rectangles that have been nicely faceted on the top. They are flat on the back with the hole drilled lengthwise. These are fun little beads to work with.
Sizes: 9x5mm
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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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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. Made in Hong Kong
Sizes: 20 x 10mm
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Lucite Amber Rounds |
Simulated Turquoise & Coral |
Trio of Resin Hearts |

Lucite rounds made to imitate amber beads. Nice honey amber color with brown marbling. Vintage German
Sizes: 10mm
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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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Gray Marbled Lucite - Vintage |
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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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| See Our Bakelite Jewelry |
See More Vintage Buttons |
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