Help Identifying "Interesting" Vintage Plastic Necklace

[boodlesmom]

Hi!  I don't know much about the vintage plastics, but I had to get this because it was different from anything I've seen before. Can anyone help me out with some information, please? 

[tossedandtarnished]

Reminds me of a celluloid necklace, similar to this one! Maybe others know more. Good luck, it’s lovely  

[boodlesmom]

Thank you for your response! I was leaning that direction, so now I will focus my research towards celluloid. I appreciate the help!

[raysbangles]

Hi,there this Necklace is made from Bakelite. Bakelite Is light Weight and very good for jewelry making.

[boodlesmom]

Hi!

   Thank you so much for your help! Have you ever seen bakelite twisted like that before? I have been searching for something similar.

[raysbangles]

HI, your necklace is unique design i try my best to get something slimier like this in Jaipur johari bazaar.

[boodlesmom]

I read up on testing for Bakelite. I tried the 409 test and got no color. Does that mean it’s probably celluloid?

[ms.sellainy]

IMO, getting no color from the 409 test doesn't mean it's probably celluloid. It means it's probably not bakelite. From photo, celluloid may be a good guess - but there are other ways to test early plastics that can give you more certainty. Celluloid produces a camphor smell when rubbed hard enough. The friction produces heat that releases the smell. Applying hot water and rubbing vigorously is said to produce the same result by the same principle.  I've never tried the hot water method, but I have noticed that celluloid emits the camphor smell when stored in an airtight containers for a few hours.

[boodlesmom]

Thank you so much for your reply! I will try that tonight!

[boodlesmom]

I'm getting no odors of any kind. Any more ideas?

[sje346]

Hi, Just thought I would stick my to cents in but only a thought. The plastic is shiny and could be Lucite a necklace from the 60s. I would fill a little container with water and half salt and see if it floats. This would indicate amber which I doubt and if you rub your finger to cause friction and it gives off a burnt odor it is Bakelite but I never saw a Bakelite piece this shiny and again lean towards Lucite.

[boodlesmom]

Thank you for your help! I will try that.

[kimberlykolbe]

I think it looks art deco and French. Try looking at French phenolic or galalith necklaces. 

[boodlesmom]

I will check that out. Thank you!

[authentic*vintage]

Galalith will smell like spoiled milk under warm water. It can take a while for the smell to disappear after testing it as well. It will lose that odor once it dries, however.