Celluloid Celluloid is one of the earliest man made plastics that was widely used in making plastic jewelry. Jewelry made of celluloid dates roughly from 1900-1930.
Celluloid has certain characteristics which differentiate it from other plastics.
Celluloid is flexible. It can be bent, twisted, and molded. When placed briefly in hot water, early celluloid smells like camphor, while later cellulose acetate smells like vinegar. Celluloid jewelry should be stored carefully. Bakelite Bakelite was developed by Dr. Leo H. Baekeland, and it was patented in 1909.