There’s a lot of Lucite love going around lately, and we\u2019ve been seeing it everywhere: from fashion runways to home decor magazines, and of course, at estate sales. Lucite is a special plastic, sometimes called \u201cacrylic glass\u201d or \u201cPlexiglas” that’s\u00a0similar in look and feel to glass, but much more durable and lightweight. It’s also\u00a0water and UV ray resistant.<\/p>\n
Some backstory<\/a>: Lucite was created in the mid 1800s and was finally patented and branded \u201cPlexiglas\u201d in 1933. By World War II this wonder plastic was used in\u00a0everything from windshields and periscopes to ammunition parts. Other functional uses for Lucite over the years have\u00a0included\u00a0car lights and eye glass lenses, aquariums, police car windows, dentures, and even cosmetic surgery.<\/p>\n Lucite is also used to create\u00a0pretty things. Lucite jewelry especially became\u00a0popular after the Depression because it was cheap to make. It’s also versatile and easily dyed, although clear Lucite jewelry is just as popular. Ironically, while Lucite used to be a cheap, costume-jewelry alternative to real jewels, vintage Lucite bracelets, rings, and earrings can be\u00a0quite\u00a0expensive today now that they\u2019re considered collector\u2019s items.<\/p>\n Because it has that 1960’s Space Age look, Lucite was a favorite of midcentury designers<\/a> and was\u00a0used in furniture and art that continue to be stylish and collectible. After all,\u00a0everything retro is in again – and doesn\u2019t look like it\u2019s going back out, so put this stylish plastic\u00a0on your treasure list when you’re out estate sale-ing.<\/p>\n Need inspiration? Here are a few of our favorite photos of Lucite on Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n1. Lucite Hardware<\/h2>\n
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