Bricks Masons Review: Expert Opinion on Masonic Regalia (2025)

Technical and Functional Analysis: What You Are Really Buying

To understand the Bricks Masons offer, you have to look under the hood. This isn't a traditional artisan sewing in a back shop, but a massive logistics platform.

1. The Aprons (Materials and Construction)

This is the core of their offer. They generally propose three finish levels:

• Entry Level (Simili/Faux Leather): Often sold around $35-$45. This is shiny white vinyl. It does the job for an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft who will change aprons quickly, but it ages poorly (cracking).
• Standard "Leather": This is where it gets complicated. Bricks Masons often uses the term "Leather" generically. In many cases, it is bonded leather or low-end split leather. It is more flexible than plastic, but it lacks the nobility of premium lambskin.
• Lambskin: Their high-end models (often $90+) are sold as genuine lambskin. To the touch, it is indeed softer, but the whiteness is sometimes chemically very (too) bright, which can clash with the more patinated aprons of the Brethren on the sidelines.

The Critical Point: The Flap and Pocket.
On the models I analyzed, the rear pocket (for gloves) is often present but sometimes too narrow for large gloves. The belt/apron junction is generally machine-stitched, which is solid but less aesthetic than a hand-finished seam.

2. Embroidery (Hand vs. Machine)

This is where Bricks Masons blows hot and cold.

• Machine Embroidery: Very clean, very symmetrical. Ideal for Lodges that want perfect uniformity for all their officers. The thread is often synthetic (shiny polyester) rather than metallic. It shines a lot, sometimes a bit too "bling-bling."
• "Bullion" Embroidery (Gold Wire): They offer Worshipful Master or Grand Officer aprons in "Gold Bullion." Let's be clear: at this price, it is not real gold thread, but a metallic alloy or varnished copper wire. The visual effect is stunning from a distance, but the thread oxidizes faster than that of great British artisans (like Toye, Kenning & Spencer).

3. Accessories (Jewels and Rings)

Their jewelry section is immense.

• Rings: Watch out for sizing. As is often the case with Asian productions, sizes can vary slightly. The "stainless steel" rings are indestructible, but the gold-plated ones tend to lose their luster if you wear them every day (friction, sweat).
• Collars and Lodge Jewels: The collar ribbons are often made of somewhat stiff polyester, not moire silk. They drape less naturally on the chest and tend to slip if you don't use a collar clip.

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The Strong Points: Why Does It Work?

Despite the criticisms, Bricks Masons sells a huge amount. Why? Because they meet specific needs that traditional artisans ignore.

1. Accessible Customization

This is their "Killer Feature." Do you want an apron with your Lodge's name embroidered under the flap? Do you want to change the border color for a specific rite (like the French Rite or Allied Masonic Degrees)?
With a classic artisan, that's a 6-month wait and a custom quote. At Bricks Masons, it's often a checkbox option or a simple email exchange. For a Lodge wanting to create its own medal design or banner without ordering 500 pieces, it's a very practical option.

2. The "Visual Effect / Price" Ratio

If you need regalia for a Grand Lodge session once a year, or for a side degree you rarely practice, do you want to drop $350 on an apron? Probably not.
Bricks Masons allows you to have regalia that "presents well" from 6 feet away for a fraction of the price of the big houses. For Masonic theater, where visuals count, they are very strong.

3. Catalog Depth (High Degrees)

Finding a Knight Kadosh (30th Degree) or Royal Arch apron with specific American or European specs can be a nightmare. Physical shops rarely stock these niche items. Bricks Masons has (almost) all of them. They cover rites I had never even seen elsewhere. If you practice a rare rite, this is often your only easy option.

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Limits and Drawbacks (What They Don't Tell You)

Here is the most important section of this article. Before validating your cart, you must be aware of these three major problems.

1. The Logistics Reality (Dropshipping and Delays)

The site displays a California address and a US number. This is reassuring. But make no mistake: Bricks Masons is essentially a storefront for workshops located in Pakistan and China.

• The problem: If the site says "In Stock," it often means "In stock at the supplier in Sialkot."
• The consequence: If you order for a ceremony scheduled in 10 days, you are playing Russian roulette. I've seen orders arrive in 5 days via DHL, and others take 6 weeks stuck in transit.
• The hidden cost: While US customers have a high customs threshold ($800), shipping delays are the real cost. Don't expect Amazon Prime speeds.

2. Material Quality and "False Friends"

Product descriptions are sometimes embellished.

• The term "Gold Plated" on jewels is often used for a simple flash gilding that doesn't hold up.
• The "Velvet" on collars is often a short-pile synthetic velvet, which lacks the depth of cotton velvet.
• The apron attachments (the snake clasp) are often the weak point: the metal is light and the hook can break if you tighten your belt too much.

3. Ethical Issues and Intellectual Property

This is a sore subject in the community (notably on forums like Reddit r/freemasonry). Bricks Masons has been accused several times by independent Masonic artists (like Fraternal Ties or Fossil Bluff) of copying their original designs.
As a Mason, integrity is a key value. Buying a tie or a pin that is a manifest copy of a Brother creator's work poses a crisis of conscience. If you are looking for a unique and artistic design, check first if it doesn't come from an independent creator.

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Comparison with Alternatives

To make an informed choice, let's compare Bricks Masons to two major competitors.

Criteria	Bricks Masons	Macoy (USA)	The Masonic Collection (UK)
Profile	Dropshipping Giant	Historic House (1849)	English Rite Specialist
Price	$ (Affordable)	$$$ (High)	$$ (Medium)
Quality	Variable (Low to Medium)	Excellent (Consistent)	Very Good
Delays	2 to 6 weeks (Random)	Fast (if in US stock)	Fast for Europe/UK
For whom?	Tight budget, Rare Rites	Traditionalists, US Blue Lodge	Emulation, European Rites

My Advice:

• Choose Macoy or LAFSCO if you are in the USA and want "Made in USA" or guaranteed quality without surprises.
• Choose The Masonic Collection or a specialized supplier if you want quality conforming to European standards (smaller aprons, softer leather) or specific English regalia.
• Keep Bricks Masons for fun accessories, banquet gifts, or regalia for very specific rites unavailable elsewhere.

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Prices and Saving Tips

Prices at Bricks Masons fluctuate often because they run permanent promotions (a classic marketing technique to create urgency).

• Basic Master Mason Apron: approx. $45 - $65
• Worshipful Master Apron (Hand Embroidered): approx. $110 - $160
• Officer Collar: approx. $40 - $55

Expert Tip to Save:
Never pay the full displayed price. Bricks Masons distributes a huge number of promo codes.

• Try the code BM10 or WELCOME10 which often work for a 10% discount.
• Sign up for their newsletter, wait 24 hours without buying: you will often receive a 15% code to "complete your cart."
• Note: Check shipping costs carefully before validating, as they can cancel out the benefit of the discount.

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