Advice on old buttons

[mommallthetime]

I have recently come into about 10,000 vintage buttons. The problem I have is - I DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BUTTONS. So I am frantic. My husband says sell them all in a large lot. But I disagree. Is there any where I can go to help me to identify any of these? Or at lease tell me how to identify the different types, glass, bone, bakelite, plastic, pearl, ect. Thanks you for you time and help. Jami

[momlovesabargain_1]

Hi, I was reading through this thread because I too am a button collector and love to sew. I like to go to estate auctions and get the flats of sewing stuff that nobody wants for like $1.00. I have come across some great buttons. My favorites are the carved mother of pearls and glass. I've read a couple of books about buttons that had mostly pictures, not much on identification methods. tinanbob has left the best information I have to date for identifying the different plastics and I can't wait to try them. I have listed any buttons on my auctions yet because I want to make darn sure I now what I am listing. I like the facts not guesses. I have a question. I have a large button that has a brass base and the rest is glass the picture under the glass is a star of david design in different colored glass. It looks to me like it was painted with glass and the covered with clear glass. My problem is that it does not have the shank anymore. Does this sound like something of value or should I just display it as a really great find? Thanks, Nancy

[bigsister]

I use vintage buttons when I make primitive dolls for the eyes and clothes so I always looking at yard sales and auctions. I found this site for testing information. I use the hot water and the 409 test. If I bought buttons, jewelry, flatware etc. on ebay with pin marks on them I would want my money back. I havent tried scrubbing bubbles but have heard of it. http://www.plasticfantastic.com/testing.html

[svengali]

Nancy: That button you found without a shank sounds like a type collectors call "design under glass". It is worth listing in a group lot if you make sure to say the shank is missing of course. "bigsis", serious button collectors do not use chemicals to test their plastic buttons. Scrubbing Bubbles is a harsh chemical that may, down the road a bit, do serious damage to the button tested. I would much prefer to see a tiny dot on the back of a button rather than have it ruined in the future due to the harsh chemical used to test it. Just my personal opinion and I certainly respect yours as well. Hot tool testing is the method many button collectors have adopted and with practiced use it can be very accurate and barely leave a mark. Celluloids will test most dramatically with this method so care is required not to harm the button when using a hot tool. A hot tool is a tool invented for pyrography (wood burning) art. Some button dealers sell them. -Carol C-

[caspiantern]

Is there any test for jet buttons. I have bought some old black buttons at a sale and wonder how to tell if they are glass or jet. Is jet scarce? It seems to be more valuable. Any info appreciated. Caspiantern

[shartey]

I am so grateful to all of you that have shared you wealth of knowledge about buttons, it establishes the fact that when you shine your light for others to see, that it really does light up the world. I am a retired antique dealer and getting knowledge was the hardest part of learning, and 20 years ago this sharing experience was not an option. There was actually a time when I would go to buy books there were barely in books in the book stores on any subject. Thanks to all of you that are sharing. I am intrigued and will confess that I know next to nothing about buttons. nigel

[prairiefyre*boutique]

Is jet scarce? Caspian, Jet is extremely rare, you probably have glass. Jet is an extremely brittle substance and most experts agree that there just isn't any left, especially in button form. Sorry! I have seen Thousands of buttons, but no jet yet.

[caspiantern]

Thanks tboombi for the info on jet. It is intriguing to learn that there doesnt seem to be any around! I just keep learning and learning about these buttons.

[svengali]

Actually the term "goliath" is more often referred to in Europe as "galliath" but is called "casein" in the U.S. Lucite is a brand name for "acrylic" plastic. Most collectors are not using the chemical test anymore, it can damgage the button. A well studied hot point test is most effective and cannot hurt bakelite in the slightest. -Carol C-

[svengali]

I have a jet button from the mines in Whitby, England. Jet is still mined and is not extinct. Think if it as fossilized coal, sort of. There are still lots of coal mines and jet is being found today. You are sooo right about newbies confusing black glass with jet. Real jet hardly resembles glass at all. Pieces of jet can be found in Victorian jewelry and are much more common than buttons.