The word plastic is actually Greek in origin and it means to "mold of form" which is precisely what what's been done to it over the years. It can be molded, shaped, and colored into nearly anything the imagination desires.
The History of Plastic
Celluloid
Inventor: John Wesley Hyatt
Introduced: 1863
History: Very popular in 1940s jewelry.
Bakelite
Inventor: Leo Hendrik Baekeland
Introduced:
Concocted around 1907
Perfected around 1912
Used in jewelry around 1920
History:
Caesin
Inventor:
Introduced:
History:
Pros:
Cons:
Acrylic
Inventor:
Introduced:
History:
Lucite
Inventor: Otto Roehm
Introduced: 1933
Patent: 1937 by DuPont
History: Replaced scarce rhinestones as imitation gemstone in costume jewelry in the 1940's. Was the inspiration for the jelly belly jewelry design.
Resin
Inventor:
Introduced:
History:
Galalith
Perspex