The latest Depression-era item to turn ”collectible” is Bakelite jewelry, which may be worth 100 times what it cost in the 1930s. Bakelite costume jewelry that sold for anywhere from a few cents to a ...

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts. Bakelite jewelry was one of the only affordable accessories for women ...

Gem features one standout piece from a local shop. Whether it’s a jacket, necklace, or handbag, it’s on our have-to-have list. What: Bakelite was one of the first synthetic plastics, used originally ...

Made of a combination of phenol and formaldehyde, Bakelite is a type of plastic that became popular during the 1930s and 40s as a material not only for jewelry, but for other consumer goods like ...

I bought a wooden night table at an auction years ago. It’s a 1950s style, but the finish is reddish brown, not blond. The single drawer in the stand is marked “Heywood-Wakefield” within a circle.

When Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland created the first entirely synthetic plastic in 1909, it revolutionized the way many consumer goods were manufactured. Baekeland called his plastic “Bakelite” and ...

Created more than a century ago, bakelite is a completely synthetic plastic material used in industrial and commercial products. Because it doesn’t contain petroleum, it can’t be melted or recycled.

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A new class of Bakelite collectors is emerging, and it’s hardly the swap-meet set. The spoils: a bangle ...