Catalin

Like Bakelite, it gives off a distinctive phenolic odour when heated and can be tested by rubbing the material on a cloth with a spot of Simichrome Polish or Formula 409 cleaner, which will leave a characteristic light pink to yellow residue.

The colors included yellow, orange, red, greens, blue, and purple, with clear, opaque and marbled versions.

In a labor-intensive process, liquid resin was cast and cured with heat, and then polished by hand into Art Deco designs.

[4] Jewelry made out of Catalin is usually referred to as Bakelite in the antique trade, while the household items, radios, cutlery, etc.

[clarification needed] The grips on John Wayne's iconic six shooter, seen in every movie from El Dorado through True Grit, were made of Catalin, not ivory, as often thought.