Vintage Turquoise Bakelite or Plastic Costume Jewelry Brooch with Rhinestone Accents

This item is a vintage costume jewelry piece, likely a brooch or dress clip, featuring a vibrant turquoise-colored base. The material appears to be a molded synthetic resin, such as Bakelite, Lucite, or early celluloid, popular in mid-20th-century fashion. The design is highly sculptural, featuring stylized, wavy ridges reminiscent of an Art Deco or Retro-era aesthetic. It is heavily embellished with clear, round-cut rhinestones or pavé-set crystals that follow the contours of the molded shapes, creating a high-contrast sparkle against the teal background. The central element features a wrap-around band or 'knot' design, also set with varying sizes of stones. Measuring approximately 2 to 3 inches in length, the construction shows the stones are inset directly into the resinous body. Evaluation of the condition reveals some visible wear, including what appears to be slightly yellowed adhesive or aged foil backing on several stones, which is common in vintage pieces as they age. There are no immediately visible maker's marks from this angle, but the complexity of the molding suggests a manufactured piece from the 1940s or 1950s. The overall craftsmanship is characteristic of mid-century high-end costume jewelry, where bold colors and geometric textures were used to mimic fine jewels for the burgeoning middle class.

I have conducted a visual examination of the vintage turquoise resin brooch. The piece displays hallmarks of the late 1940s Retro period, specifically the use of molded thermo-set plastics (potentially Lucite or Bakelite) combined with pavé-set rhinestones. The sculptural, ribbon-like form is indicative of mid-century high-fashion costume accessories. The condition is fair to good; I noted typical age-related degradation, specifically 'silvering' or the yellowing of the foil backings on several rhinestones, which impacts the overall brilliance. Market demand for bold, architectural costume jewelry remains steady, particularly for unsigned pieces that evoke the style of Trifari or Coro. Comparable sales for non-attributed mid-century resin brooches of this complexity typically fall in the hundred-dollar range. The vibrant teal hue is a desirable factor for collectors, though the lack of a visible maker's mark limits the value to its aesthetic and material appeal rather than brand cachet. Limitations: My assessment is based solely on high-resolution imagery. A definitive identification of the material as Bakelite would require a Simichrome chemical test or hot water scent test, as Lucite of the same era can mimic its appearance. Furthermore, a physical inspection is necessary to verify the pin-back mechanism and identify any potential repairs to the rhinestone settings. To fully authenticate this item, provenance documentation or a confirmed maker's mark on the reverse would be required. The value provided assumes all stones are original and the clasp is fully functional.