Women: The History of Bakelite

The History of Bakelite

Written by Sher Matsen

Continued from page 1

The best way to recognize bakelite comes with experience. After you’ve seen enough pieces you will easily recognize it. There are also some excellent books on repparttar market that you might find helpful. • BAKELITE JEWELRY - Tony Grasso • THE BEST OF BAKELITE AND OTHER PALSTIC JEWELRY - Dee Battle & Alayne Lesser • BAKELITE JEWELRY GOOD*BETTER*BEST - Donna Wassertrom & Leslie Pina

Bakelite has always been known as repparttar 148570 material with 1000 uses, and it surely did earn this name. Bakelite is now treasured for its unique, unreproducible beauty. When repparttar 148571 Bakelite patent expired in 1927, it was acquired by repparttar 148572 Catalin Corporation that same year. They began mass production under repparttar 148573 name "Catalin. The Catalin Corporation was responsible for nearly 70% of all phenolic resins that exist today.

Bakelite-Catalin was sold mainly to companies like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bonwit Teller, Woolworth’s, and Sears. Much of repparttar 148574 wealthy society fell into touch times during repparttar 148575 depression and could not longer afford repparttar 148576 Tiffany diamonds or Cartier Jewelry. Bakelite-Catalin took up repparttar 148577 market slack with its colorful carved jewelry adorned with rhinestones. This jewelry was within repparttar 148578 reach of all and its popularity grew from repparttar 148579 poorest to repparttar 148580 wealthiest in society.

In 1942 Bakelite-Catalin stopped sales of their colorful costume jewelry in order to concentrate on repparttar 148581 nation’s wartime needs. They produced thousands of products found their way into repparttar 148582 military.

By repparttar 148583 end of repparttar 148584 war new technologies were for molded plastics had been developed. These new products consisted of plastics such as Lucite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, and Acrylic all which were molded. Bakelite and Catalin become obsolete except in repparttar 148585 hearts of collectors who still pursue it today.

About the author: Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

History of Earrings

Written by Sher Matsen

Continued from page 1
During repparttar

early 1800, jewelers began to mount gemstones, on an open back claw setting. This allowed repparttar 148569

light to pass through repparttar 148570

gems enhancing their color and brilliance. By repparttar 148571

1850s, earrings had once again disappeared from repparttar 148572

fashion scene. This was once again a result of changing hairstyles. The new styles that involved wearing repparttar 148573

hair gathered in a knot at repparttar 148574

back resulted in repparttar 148575

ears being totally hidden. As well bonnets had arrived on repparttar 148576

scene which also made wearing earrings rather difficult. During repparttar 148577

early 20th century screw backs were invented which meant women no longer had to pierce their ears. These became very popular. Some circles even began to believe piercing ones ears was rather barbaric. After WWI shorter hairdos became very popular. Earrings were perfect for filling repparttar 148578

space from short hair to shoulder and once again became a popular fashion statement. During repparttar 148579

1920s art deco styles took hold, recognized by their straight or angled designs. Very long chandelier earrings were also quite popular during this time. During repparttar 148580

1930s

clip on was invented. Because clip ons held repparttar 148582

earring more snuggly than screw backs they became repparttar 148583

number one choice for many years to come. Pierced ears faded into repparttar 148584

background. During repparttar 148585

1950s earrings were light and aerodynamic. By repparttar 148586

1960s earrings had become fun and innovative. Texture and color was very important. Prior to repparttar 148587

1960s earrings were dedicated to either evening wear or day wear with repparttar 148588

evening wear earrings being more elegant. During repparttar 148589

1960s this all changed when repparttar 148590

distinction between what was acceptable for evening or day faded away. By repparttar 148591

1970s we had entered an “everything goes” style to earrings and pierced ears had made a comeback. Women were buying earrings in large quantities for every occasion. . Today it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t have pierced ears. Today men are as interested in earrings as women. Men often prefer studs or small hoops, they may wear one earring, two or more depending on repparttar 148592

individual’s tastes. Children now get their ears pierced often at a very young age, even sometimes as babies. Women may have anywhere from one set of holes to piercings right up repparttar 148593

ear. The fashion of earrings has come a long way over repparttar 148594

years and its here to stay! Whatever your style, there is certain to be a pair of earrings out there for you. Be sure to make your fashion statement!

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