Bakelite Jewelry Identification and Price Guide (2024)

Values for Bakelite jewelry can vary widely depending on the rarity of the piece. Many of the examples shown here are quite hard to find and reflect prices paid by avid collectors who compete at auction to own these pieces. Other pieces shown, which generally sell for $200 and less, are fairly common.

Since the 1990s, many pieces made of authentic, old Bakelite have been produced by artisans. Some of these are similar in style to older pieces, and they will test as Bakelite. These are usually highly carved pieces, bangle braceletswith dots, and other desirable styles. While these artisans maintain that they did not try to fool collectors with their work, some of these pieces, unfortunately, do get passed off as old Bakelite by re-sellers today. It is wise to do some research before buying high dollar Bakelite jewelry if you want to make sure you are purchasing a vintage piece.

Other highly carved imported pieceshave been made with materials resembling Bakelite, and collectors many times refer to these as "Fakelite" since they were meant to deceive collectors. All the items in this guideare believed to be vintage, with most dating to the 1930s and '40s except where noted.

The Bakelite Shown Above:

Two carved Bakelite Bracelets and one leaf carved brooch

Value: $270 (Morphy Auctions - 8/14)

Brown Bakelite Bangles

Two brown Bakelite bracelets with carving sold together.

Value: $180 (Morphy Auctions - 6/12)

Paul Whitman Good Luck Bakelite Ring

Promotional item for bandleader Paul Whitman"s radio show in the 1930s. Whitman's face is on each side of the ring. The swastika represented good luck at the time the ring was made — silver on black Bakelite.

Value: $120 (Morphy Auctions - 2/12)

Bakelite V for Victory Pin

Vintage World War II (1940s) Bakelite V for Victory pin with original pin back. Condition: good.

Value: $138 (Morphy Auctions - 1/11)

Carved Red Peppers Pin

Vintage Bakelite carved chunky red peppers pin with original pin back. Described as "later production." Condition" excellent. Size: 2 3/8" x 3".

Value: $207 (Morphy Auctions - 1/11)

Bulldog Pin

Rare bulldog pin with celluloid teeth and brass collar. Condition: near mint. Size: 2 3/8" tall.

Value: $1,495 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08), $671 (Bonham's - 12/09)

Bakelite Green & Black Striped Bangle

Thick bangle bracelet with green and black layering. Condition: excellent.

Value: $103.50 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)

Bakelite Cameo Link Bracelet

Bakelite ovals with applied celluloid cameos and celluloid links. Condition: excellent. Size: 7 - 1/4" long.

Value: $149.50 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)

Bakelite Overdyed Horse Pin

Bakelite carved and overdyed, or resin washed red horse pin with brass chain harness. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 3/4" tall.

Value: $207 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)

Bakelite Carved Green Pin

Bakelite Carved Green Bar Pin. Shows original bright green color on reverse. Condition: very good to excellent. Size: 3 1/2" long.

Value: $45 (RubyLane.com 5/10)

Bakelite Marbled Bangle Bracelet

Bakelite unusually shaped bangle with marbled mottling. Condition: excellent.

Value: $115 (Morphy Auctions - 5/10)

Bakelite Carved Flower Necklace Set

Carved Bakelite Flowers mounted on medallions. The necklace has a celluloid chain. Stretch bracelet with Bakelite components. Condition: excellent.

Value: $150 (RubyLane.com 1/10)

Bakelite Saucer Bangle Bracelet

Vintage butter-yellow bangle in a saucer shape. Condition: Very good to excellent.

Value: $30 (1/10 - RubyLane.com)

Bakelite Overdyed Wagon Wheel Pin

Overdyed or Resin Washed wagon wheel pin. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 3/4" tall.

Value: $230 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)

Bakelite Gold & Red Sword Pin

Condition: excellent. Size: 4 1/4" long.

Value: $316.25 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)

Bakelite Dark Yellow Hinged Bracelet

Condition: excellent. Size: 3" wide.

Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)

Bakelite Dark Red Horse Head Pin

Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/2" long.

Value: $258.75 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)

Bakelite Horse Head & Shoe Pin

Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/2" wide.

Value: $287.50 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)

Bakelite Hat Pin with Flowers

Condition: excellent. Size 2 1/2" long.

Value: $230 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)

Bakelite Gun, Hat, Saddle & Whip Pin

Condition: excellent. Size: 4" long.

Value: $402.50 (Morphy Auctions - 2/10)

Pair of Yellow Honeycomb Bangle Bracelets

Pair of faceted honeycomb bangles. Condition: excellent. Size: 1 1/8" wide.

Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Air Raid Warden Pin

Rare air raid warden pin. Condition: excellent. Size: 3 1/2" long.

Value: $690 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Cherry Juice Quilted Bangle Bracelet

Cherry juice (refers to clear coloring with cherry being more uncommon than apple juice Bakelite) quilted bangle. Condition: excellent. Size: 5/8" wide.

Value: $143.75 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Overdyed Fox Pin with Movable Head

Rare overdyed or resin washed fox pin with movable head. Condition: near mint. Size: 3" tall.

Value: $862.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Deeply Carved Green Rope Bangle Bracelet

Deeply carved green rope bangle bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 5/8" tall.

Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Ladybug Bracelet

Unusual ladybug bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 7 1/2" long.

Value: $402.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Googly Eye Pumpkin Pin

Very rare pumpkin pin with googly eyes. Condition: excellent. Size: 5 1/4" tall.

Value: $6,325 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Rabbit with Wooden Basket Pin

Hard to find Bakelite and wood rabbit with basket pin. Condition: excellent. Size: 3 1/4" tall.

Value: $402.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Wolverine Pin with Movable Arm Holding Sword

Rare overdyed or resin washed wolverine pin with movable arm. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 7/8" tall.

Value: $1,035 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Red Bird Pin with Wooden Wing

Red bird pin with carved wood wing. Condition: near mint. Size: 4" long.

Value: $172.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Doghouse Pin with Dangling Charms

Hard to find doghouse with three charms. Condition: excellent. Size: 3" tall.

Value: $632.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Red, White and Blue Eagle Pin

Red, white & blue shield pin with eagle. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/2" in diameter.

Value: $1,265 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Painted and Overdyed Genie Pin

Unusual overdyed or resin washed and painted genie pin with brass accents. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 7/8" tall.

Value: $862.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Gun with Dangling Charms Pin

Bakelite western pin with saddle, 10-gallon hat, and rope charms. Condition: near mint. Size: 2 5/8" long.

Value: $230 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Uncle Sam Top Hat Pin

Hard to find Uncle Sam hat pin with metal eagle accent. Condition: excellent. Size: 2 1/8" tall.

Value: $517.50 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Strawberry Pin

Strawberry pin with carved leaf and painted accents. Condition: excellent. Size 2 1/4" tall.

Value: $258.75

Black and Cream Bow Tie Bangle Bracelet

Hard to find black and cream bow tie bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 3/4" tall.

Value: $1,840 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Red Heart and Arrow Necklace

Red Bakelite heart and arrow charms on celluloid chain. Condition: near mint. Size: hearts measure 3/4" tall.

Value: $460 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Multicolor Bow Tie Bangle Bracelet

Rare multicolored "bow-tie" bangle bracelet. Condition: near mint. Size: 1/2" wide.

Value: $1,265 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Pocket Knife with Dangling Pencils

Rare Bakelite pocket knife pin with attached pencils. Condition: near mint. Size: 3 1/2" tall.

Value: $920 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Red Carved Bangle Bracelet

Carved Bakelite bangle - 3/4" wide. Condition: near mint.

Value: $86.25 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)

Orange Carved Lily Pad Bangle Bracelet

Note: This piece may not be authentic vintage Bakelite. Pieces made in similar styles have been made since the 1990s. Some of these are genuine Bakelite, but they are not vintage pieces.

Value: $460 (Morphy Auctions - 12/08)