Bakelite plastic is rather dense and heavier than other plastics. Also, because of the way Bakelite was produced and carved, you will not find any mold lines in it. If you're out treasure hunting and think you may have found a piece, look for the absence of mold lines, size it up for weight as compared to other plastics, and try this little test: Apply friction to the piece by rubbing it, it will emit an odor that resembles a freshly peeled Band-Aid. This is because of the formaldehyde used in making the plastic. Although this method is not 100% fool-proof, it is the best way to go on a hunch when other testing methods are not readily available. If the piece has passed all the above tests, your chances are good :)
If you run a piece of Bakelite plastic under hot water, it will emit that same formaldehyde odor. When you get to place where you can authenticate your piece further, have on hand a can of Scrubbing Bubbles Cleaner and some cotton swabs.
Make sure your piece has been gently cleaned with a damp cloth or run under luke-warm water until all soil/dust has been removed, before cleaning.
I simply shake the can of Scrubbing Bubbles, take the lid off and spray some of the cleaner into the cap. Then I soak my Q-Tip in the cleaning solution until the cotton tip is completely wet.
Find an inconspicuous place to apply the chemical for testing (such as the back, inside, or hidden section). Rub the Q-Tip onto your Bakelite Plastic for up to 30 seconds. You should see a bright yellow chemical reaction on your cotton swab.
Rinse the chemical off the piece using warm water.
If you are re-selling your piece, photograph the yellowed cotton swab next to the piece you have just tested, and include it in your online listing.
Carved Bakelite pieces can bring high prices, bangles and earrings will always sell as too, as long as you have priced your items according the current market trends.
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