Omar Khalid
The 1940s saw the rise of Retro jewellery, a style that celebrated bold, elaborate designs with an emphasis on volume, size, and colour, marking a distinct shift towards more ornate and flamboyant expressions of glamour. This evolution was influenced by the global atmosphere of World War II, with jewellery becoming a form of personal expression amidst the turmoil. With precious metals like platinum being used for the war effort, jewellers turned to more abundant materials, including gold and new, cheaper materials like wood, shell, glass, and plastic. The bright colours and low price point of plastic jewellery, particularly Bakelite, made it accessible to all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity of plastic jewelry in the 40s | Plastic jewelry became popular in the 40s due to its attractive colours and low prices. |
| Types of plastic used in the 40s | Bakelite, Catalin, Lucite, Celluloid, and Polystyrene. |
| Items made from plastic in the 40s | Brooches, necklaces, bangles, beads, earrings, and bracelets. |
| Design elements | Plastic jewelry in the 40s featured colourful components and fillers, and marbled effects. |
| Other materials used in combination with plastic | Wood, shell, glass, and fabric. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic jewellery was popular in the 1940s due to metal shortages caused by World War II
- Bakelite was a popular plastic used in the 1940s for its durability, colour, and affordability
- Lucite was another common plastic used in the 1940s for its versatility and affordability
- Plastic beads were used in necklaces and bracelets in a variety of shapes and colours
- Plastic jewellery in the 1940s was often large, bold, colourful, and flamboyant
Plastic jewellery was popular in the 1940s due to metal shortages caused by World War II
Plastic jewellery was popular in the 1940s, with colourful plastics like Bakelite, Catalin, and Lucite being used to create statement necklaces, brooches, and bangles. This popularity was in part due to metal shortages caused by World War II, which led to the use of alternative materials such as wood, shell, glass, and fabric in jewellery making. The bright colours and low price point of plastic jewellery made it accessible to all, and it was often used to add a pop of colour to otherwise plain and masculine clothing styles of the time.
The use of plastic in jewellery was not a new concept in the 1940s. Early forms of plastic jewellery, made from natural or synthetic polymers, were considered prized possessions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Celluloid, a plastic derived from plant cells, was used in jewellery production as early as the 1800s. It was often used to imitate natural materials like tortoiseshell, coral, and ivory in hair accessories and small brooches. However, due to its high flammability, Celluloid fell out of favour as other plastics became available.
Bakelite, the first true synthetic plastic, was developed in 1907 or 1909 by Dr. Leo H. Baekeland. It became immensely popular in the 1930s and 1940s for its bright colours and affordability. Catalin, another early plastic, was also popular during this time for its marbled effects and translucent hues. These plastics were used to create a variety of jewellery pieces, including necklaces, brooches, and bangles.
In the 1940s, bangles were a popular fashion trend, with women stacking their arms with thick, coloured plastic, wood, or gold bangles. Plastic beads were also commonly used for necklaces, with multiple strands of beads in various colours creating a bold statement. These plastic jewellery pieces provided an affordable and accessible way to add colour and personality to one's ensemble during a time when metal was scarce due to the war.
The popularity of plastic jewellery in the 1940s can be attributed to both the metal shortages caused by World War II and the inherent qualities of plastic as a material. The bright colours, low price point, and versatility of plastic made it a popular choice for jewellery designers and consumers alike, shaping the fashion trends of that decade.
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Bakelite was a popular plastic used in the 1940s for its durability, colour, and affordability
Jewelry in the 1940s was characterised by its large, colourful, and fun designs. With the onset of World War II, the use of gold and silver in jewelry decreased, and new, cheaper materials such as wood, shell, glass, plastic, and fabric were used. Plastic jewelry was especially popular, with Bakelite being the most popular plastic of the period.
Bakelite, also known as Catalin, was the first synthetic plastic, developed by Dr. Leo H Baekeland in 1907 or 1908. It became popular in the 1930s and 1940s due to its bright colours and low price point, making it accessible to all. Early pieces of Bakelite jewelry were relatively simple, often featuring strands of simulated pearls with a Bakelite base. However, when Bakelite's patent expired, the American Catalin Corporation expanded the range of colours used in jewelry, creating items such as bangle bracelets, brooches, and necklaces in various figural designs.
Bakelite was prized for its durability and affordability, but also for its attractive colours. It was often used to make brooches and statement necklaces, and was sometimes mixed with wood or shell. Over time, the colour of Bakelite jewellery can change, with Bakelite blue turning black and white plastic turning yellow.
Today, Bakelite jewelry is collectable, with its bright colours and unique designs attracting buyers. However, buyers must be cautious when purchasing vintage Bakelite as many replicas exist. One way to test if an item is made of Bakelite is to run it under hot water and then smell it; if there is a chemical odour similar to formaldehyde, it is likely Bakelite.
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Lucite was another common plastic used in the 1940s for its versatility and affordability
Jewelry in the 1940s was larger, more colorful, and more fun, often serving as the only feminine detail in an entire ensemble. With the onset of the war, women had to find less expensive materials to make jewelry from. Lucite was a great alternative, and from that point forward, jewelers started getting more creative with the material. Somewhere in the mid-1940s, Lucite featuring a moonstone-like glow became a popular choice. It was used to make vintage brooches and realistic-looking pearl necklaces. Lucite was also used to create life-like gemstones in various shapes and sizes. The first company to make Lucite jewelry was Trifari, an American brand with Italian roots. They became famous for their series of animal brooches in the 1940s, known as the "jelly bellies," where Lucite cabochons created the abdomen of the animal in question.
Lucite was first manufactured in the 1930s as a protective coating or safety bonding for glass. It was also used to make lucite flowers in the 1930s as an alternative to glass. It was later marketed as plexiglass or perspex. Lucite is brighter and glossier compared to Bakelite and is prized for its transparency. It is also harder than Bakelite and more chemically stable than celluloid, making it a versatile material for jewelry-making.
Lucite jewelry was often designed with a translucent, clear, or opaque finish, although it could also be produced in a variety of rainbow colors and textures, from crystal clear to opaque and milky. It could be set with tiny flowers, shells, and other miniature ornaments or carved to replicate intricate patterns, shapes, and forms. It was also used to make synthetic gemstones such as moonstone and chalcedony.
As Lucite jewelry became more popular, it started to be produced with more acrylic and resin, which is why vintage and modern Lucite pieces differ in quality. Modern Lucite pieces tend to have an architectural style with a solid color, while vintage pieces have a more transparent, clear, or opaque finish.
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Plastic beads were used in necklaces and bracelets in a variety of shapes and colours
Plastic was certainly used in jewellery in the 1940s. The two most popular styles of bracelets in the '40s were identification bracelets and charm bracelets, and bangles made from plastic were also fashionable. Plastic beads were used in necklaces and bracelets in a variety of shapes and colours. These beads could be braided or rolled together in multiple strands.
The use of plastic in jewellery was not a new phenomenon in the 1940s. Early plastics started to grow in popularity at the start of the 20th century, with celluloid – a plastic derived from plant cells – used in jewellery production as early as the late 1800s. By the 1920s, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli had popularised plastic costume jewellery.
Bakelite, the first true synthetic plastic, was developed in 1907 or 1909 and became popular in the 1930s and 1940s. It was prized for its bright colours and low price point. Another plastic, Catalin, became equally popular during this time for its marbled effects and translucent hues. Lucite, a type of plastic also known as acrylic resin, was also common in the 1940s and became more popular in the 1950s.
Plastic jewellery in the 1940s was colourful and fun, often featuring patriotic symbols, flowers, bows, and whimsical animals. Plastic beads, bangles, brooches, and statement necklaces were all popular.
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Plastic jewellery in the 1940s was often large, bold, colourful, and flamboyant
The use of plastic in jewellery design dates back to the late 19th century, with early forms of plastic prized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1940s, plastics such as Bakelite, Catalin, and Lucite were commonly used in jewellery production. Bakelite, developed in 1907, became immensely popular in the 1930s and 1940s due to its bright colours and low price point. Catalin, another early plastic, was also popular during this time for its marbled effects and translucent hues. Lucite, a type of acrylic resin, was known for its brightness and glossiness.
Plastic jewellery in the 1940s was also reflected in the popularity of bangles. Women adorned their arms with stacks of thick coloured plastic bangles, mixing and matching different materials such as wood or gold. Plastic was also used in brooches, which could be designed with mixed media such as wood or shell. The affordability and versatility of plastic allowed for creative and bold designs, contributing to the flamboyant style of the era.
Today, vintage plastic jewellery from the 1940s is sought after by collectors who appreciate its colourful components and unique designs. Pieces from this era can be found on sites like Etsy, where sellers offer a range of plastic jewellery, including necklaces, earrings, and bangles, providing a glimpse into the bold and colourful fashion sense of the time.
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Frequently asked questions
The most popular plastic of the 1940s was Bakelite, a thermoset plastic invented in 1907. Other plastics used include Catalin, Lucite, acrylic, celluloid, and casein.
Early forms of Bakelite were limited to dark shades of brown, red, blue, green, and black. However, by the end of the 1920s, it was available in a wide range of colours. Catalin was also known for its marbled effects and translucent hues.
Plastic was used to make brooches, necklaces, and bangles.
World War II caused a shortage of precious metals like platinum, which were requisitioned for military use. As a result, jewellers turned to more abundant and affordable materials such as plastic, gold, and base metals.
The war led to a shift towards more affordable yet glamorous jewellery. Designers created larger, bolder, and more colourful pieces to make a statement despite material limitations. The use of lab-created gemstones, such as rubies and sapphires, also became more common due to the scarcity of natural gems.
