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 ...

There’s a particular kind of thrill that comes from picking up something ugly at a garage sale and later discovering it was worth serious money. Bakelite jewelry occupies that exact space — chunky, ...

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.