You already have the most important tools needed to identify antique and vintage jewelry materials. The best way to learn how to identify antique and vintage jewelry materials is to handle a lot of it. A good way to do this is to attend an auction preview. Go anywhere you are able to touch jewelry. Visit your local antique mall, thrift shops, garage sales, and flea markets.
Knowledgeable collectors are also a wonderful educational resource.
Most are flattered you have asked them for help and are willing to teach you. First use your naked eye and then look again this time using your loupe. Mold lines are a tell-tale sign that the object is machine made. Color that is evenly distributed throughout the item usually tells you that the piece is synthetic as opposed to natural. Bakelite leaves a black streak, vulcanite leaves a yellowish brown streak.