The Appeal and Enigmatic History of Regency Jewelry
Regency jewelry is highly sought after by collectors, yet much of its history remains shrouded in mystery.
The brand is generally believed to have been produced in New York by the Regina Novelty Company, although very little definitive documentation has survived.
Even the company’s exact address is unknown; it is often suggested that it was located on either 36th or 37th Street, in the heart of New York’s jewelry district, but this has never been conclusively confirmed.
The Origins and Operation of Regency
Regency jewelry is thought to have been produced during the 1950s and operated by members of the Polowitz (Polowits) family.
The designs introduced during this period are notably distinctive, and production appears to have ceased by the 1970s.
Rather than being sold through catalogs, Regency jewelry was distributed directly to department stores in major cities such as New York and Chicago. This wholesale-focused distribution model sets Regency apart from many other costume jewelry brands of the era.
Regency and the Polowitz Family After Closure
One member of the Polowitz family, Morty Polowitz, is believed to have relocated to California after the company closed and continued working within the jewelry industry.
Beyond this, however, little reliable information has surfaced, and detailed records relating to Regency remain elusive.
As a result, Regency is often described as a brand that produced exceptionally high-quality jewelry while leaving behind very little trace of its business history—an aspect that continues to intrigue collectors.
Style and Craftsmanship
The defining characteristics of Regency jewelry are its high level of craftsmanship and its distinctive use of color.
The rhinestones used are of notably high quality, offering rich saturation and strong brilliance that give each piece a sense of depth and vibrancy.
One particularly notable feature is the frequent use of japanned metal.
This dark, often blackened finish creates a striking contrast with the vivid rhinestones, allowing their colors to stand out more dramatically. The combination of darker metal tones with intensely colored stones is a hallmark of Regency’s aesthetic.
Ruby colour has increased in depth
Even within the same design, values can vary significantly depending on the type, color, and quality of rhinestones or pearls used.
Pieces featuring especially vibrant stones or unusual color combinations tend to command higher prices in the collector market.
For this reason, close attention to stone quality and color is essential when evaluating Regency jewelry.
Regency signature piece - butterfly motif
Among Regency’s most recognizable designs are its butterfly motifs.
While butterflies were a common theme across many costume jewelry brands, Regency’s interpretations are widely regarded as exceptional.
Distinguished by their vivid color palettes and dimensional designs, Regency butterfly pieces are considered signature works and remain especially popular among collectors today.
There are a great many different colour variations available.
Regency Jewelry Marks
Most Regency jewelry is marked in all capital letters as “REGENCY.”
However, in sets such as brooch-and-earring combinations, it is common for only the brooch to bear the mark.
Understanding this characteristic is helpful when identifying authentic Regency pieces.
egency jewelry stands out as a rare example of a costume jewelry brand whose reputation rests almost entirely on the quality and beauty of its creations rather than on documented corporate history.
With limited surviving records, it is the richness of color, thoughtful design, and distinctive craftsmanship that define Regency’s lasting appeal.
In this sense, Regency jewelry is a brand best understood through its pieces themselves—objects that continue to speak eloquently to collectors decades after their creation.
Set engraving is only on the brooch.