Vintage Plastic Jewelry in Bakelite, Thermoset and Celluloid

Bakelite on Wood

Plastic vintage jewelry comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and styles. Celluloid, the earliest plastic developed, was first attempted in 1856. Bakelite was first discovered in 1897, and thermoset plastic experiments began in 1928. Thermoset was later branded as "Plexiglass" and "Lucite", and like their early plastic counterparts became popular for manufacturers and consumers.

Today, vintage plastic jewelry remains very collectible, with the designer labeled pieces fetching the highest prices. Companies like Coro, Lisner, Selro, Selini, Sarah Coventry, and others manufactured many designs using Thermoset plastic.

With it's capability to be molded into a variety of shapes, Thermoset was formed into leaves, flowers, and a large variety of other designs. Plastic floral brooches, necklaces and sets gained popularity. Many of the semi-transparent molded Thermoset vintage jewelry sets have come to be known as "fruit salad" on popular auction sites such as eBay.

Manufactured by companies such as Lisner, the semi-transparent pieces that appear almost jelly-like often sell for a high amount. Full designer sets known as a "parure", with a necklace, bracelet, and earrings, have sold for more than $300.00, but some for much less if they don't bear a designer name.

Coro Confetti Necklace

 Companies like Coro, and designers like Pam, also became known for their confetti plastic jewelry, which had bits of glitter and other shapes like stars mixed into the plastic, which quickly gained popularity and still remains popular today.

Although market trends shift, vintage plastic jewelry will most likely remain quite collectible, and as the pieces become more difficult to acquire and as the demand increases, the prices will continue to add value to your vintage jewelry collection.

Vintage Jewelry in Peacock Art Glass

Vintage jewelry made from art glass is one of my favorites! I acquired this demi-parure set with brooch and earrings several years ago, and I love how the colors are so full of life and shimmer. The peacock colors are beautiful, and vintage art glass jewelry is my favorite. Some people go wild over rhinestones, but for me it's the art glass pieces and sets that attract my attention.

This set is unsigned, but the vintage costume jewelry designer Judy Lee comes to mind when I look at how the set is constructed. Signed or not, the vintage art glass jewelry is truly very collectible and becoming more difficult to locate.

The vintage art glass sets that are made from molded glass shaped into leaves or flowers are especially popular, and a must have for any serious collector.

A purchase of vintage art glass jewelry will always enhance your collection, and most likely you'll be able to fetch a nice price for the pieces in the future if you opt to sell the treasure.

Vintage Jewelry Passion

As your passion for vintage jewelry grows, so will your frustration when you miss out on an opportunity to acquire that special piece or set you had your eyes on. I experienced that frustration first-hand about three

years ago while shopping on eBay.

While attempting to bid, my bid didn't go through, and I missed this unsigned set, which went to the only bidder for less than $15.00! When I contacted the well-known auction site to report my frustration, they informed me it was most likely a cookie-issue or cache challenge, but that of course didn't soothe the pain of losing out on the opportunity to own that wonderful set!

Ugh! I was sick about losing the opportunity to purchase the brooch (with pendant bail) and earrings. Since that time I've never seen another set like this same demi-parure. I also later learned it was probably a Juliana designer set!

Recently, I did acquire a very similar set in a different color-way, but it was also somewhat different than this set. Plus, I really had the desire to find the iridescent black colored set as shown in the photo. Although the demi-parure was not signed by the designer, as I mentioned above, it possibly could have been a Juliana set.

Life goes on when you miss out on the chance to acquire a set like this, but the odds are that the price in the future will be far higher, IF you even find the same vintage jewelry treasure again.

But, don't worry, be happy and continue your search for other vintage jewelry pieces and keep up the passion for the eye candy. Although you may not ever find that special set or jewelry item you once had your eye on, you'll find some other fine treasures along the way.