What is celluloid in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Celluloid is one of the earliest synthetic plastics, made from nitrocellulose and camphor and developed in the 1860s and 1870s. In jewellery it was widely used from the late Victorian era through to the 1930s as an affordable substitute for ivory, tortoiseshell, coral and horn, and it could be moulded, carved and coloured in a wide range of effects. Celluloid has an important drawback: it is highly flammable and can deteriorate over time, releasing acidic gases, which means vintage celluloid pieces need careful storage.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you identify celluloid jewellery?
- Celluloid is lighter than bone or ivory, has a very slight camphor smell when rubbed, and can sometimes be seen to have a slight translucency at thin edges. Under UV light it tends to fluoresce differently from Bakelite. Old pieces may show yellowing, cracking or a vinegary smell, which indicates the plastic is beginning to deteriorate.
- Is celluloid jewellery safe to collect?
- Stable pieces in good condition are safe to handle and display, but celluloid that is visibly cracking, very discoloured or smells strongly of vinegar or camphor is actively deteriorating and should be stored separately in good ventilation. Significantly degraded pieces can be a fire risk.
- What is the difference between celluloid and Bakelite?
- Both are early plastics, but they are chemically different. Celluloid is nitrocellulose-based and highly flammable; Bakelite is a phenolic resin that is thermosetting and much more heat-resistant. Bakelite arrived later, from 1907 onwards, and largely replaced celluloid for jewellery and accessories.
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