Named after the Prince Regent, later George IV, circa 1810 to 1830, the term is also used more widely to describe the prevailing English neo-classical style between the 1790s and 1840. In lighting, they used multiple cut-glass prisms to achieve as many reflections as possible such as 'double-stars' and 'icicles'. Two chandelier designs typical of this period are the colza oil dish light and the balloon-shaped chandelier with graduated chains of prisms.

Often now referred to as 'crystal', the glass was blown and shaped, then passed to a specialist cutter, who would polish and cut patterns to enhance its brilliance.