Vintage 1930s-40s Catalin "Bakelite" Clasp Bracelets

Often known as "Bakelite," catalin is a brand name for a thermosetting polymer developed and trademarked in 1927 by the American Catalin Corporation of New York City, when the patent on Bakelite expired that year. A phenol formaldehyde resin, it can be worked with files, grinders, and cutters, and polished to a fine sheen.

Catalin is produced by a two-stage process, different than other types of phenolic resins, and does not contain fillers, such as sawdust or carbon black. Catalin is transparent, near colorless, rather than opaque. Unlike other phenolics, it can be produced in bright colors or even marbled. This fact has made Catalin more popular than other types of Bakelite for consumer products.

These fabulous bracelets date to the 1930s & 1940s era. We have photos of the clasps of each, most are in great condition, some show oxidation with age. Since they have a clasp, they are a smaller, and oval interior diameter.