Regency Butterfly Brooch Value Guide

The Regency Butterfly Brooch is a premier example of mid-century American costume jewelry, crafted by the New York-based firm Regency Jewels. This piece is highly collectible due to its signature use of high-quality molded art glass and the elaborate stone settings that defined the brand's presence in luxury department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.

What affects the value of Regency Butterfly Brooch?

• Condition of the molded glass, as chips or cracks in the butterfly elements significantly reduce market value.
• Presence of the original 'Regency' signature, which commands a premium over unsigned attributed pieces.
• Clarity and brilliance of the amber rhinestones, ensuring no 'dead' or darkened stones are present.
• The integrity of the gold-tone finish, with higher values for pieces showing minimal metal wear or oxidation.

How to Identify Regency Butterfly Brooch?

• Look for the 'REGENCY' hallmark stamped in block letters on the reverse of the gold-tone setting.
• Examine the butterfly wings for the specific texture of molded art glass rather than simple flat stones.
• Verify the presence of high-quality amber rhinestones, which should be prong-set rather than glued.
• Check for the characteristic heavy gold-tone plating typical of Polkowitz and Regal designs from the 1950s.

History of Regency Butterfly Brooch

Regency Jewels was a mid-century costume jewelry brand founded by Polkowitz and Regal in New York City during the 1950s. Known for their high-quality stones and elaborate designs, Regency pieces often featured aurora borealis rhinestones and unique molded glass elements like the butterflies seen here. The company specialized in high-end costume jewelry sold in department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.