If you are in the market for a chandelier (or any other light fixture with crystals), you need to know the facts about the chandelier crystals that are used in the wide variety of fixtures available today. This important information will help you make the right purchasing decision for your style, room and budget. Plus, you can impress your friends and family with your newfound knowledge about chandelier bling!
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All crystals are made of glass. However, the glass used to craft chandelier crystals is very different from the glass in your windows, drinking cups, eyeglasses and so on. Crystal contains lead oxide, which gives it more weight and more refraction than normal glass. This means crystal is more brilliant, sparkles more and is prismatic.
Lead oxide content is important in crystals for chandeliers, but it is also safe for the health of consumers. The rule is that the more lead oxide there is in the crystal, the better it reflects light, so a higher lead oxide content is better. There are three broad types of lead oxide content:
1. Crystalline is glass with 6 to 10 percent lead oxide, though American standards allow clear glass with any amount of lead oxide to be called crystal.
2. Half lead designation means 24 percent to 30 percent lead oxide.
3. Full lead crystal is anything over 30 percent lead oxide.
There are three basic methods of crafting crystals for chandeliers: machine cut, hand cut and hand-blown.
Machine cut crystals produce sharp facets, precise polishing and visual purity.
Hand cut crystals are sometimes crafted with traditional methods that use irons and sandstone wheels for cutting, followed by polishing on a wood wheel with marble dust in it. But hand-cut crystals are also made with more modern methods. Some varieties of hand-cut crystals include Czech, Heritage, Regal, Crystalique and Turkish.
Venetian and Murano crystals are hand-blown by artisans instead of cut, so the crystals have smooth, rounded edges. The mouth-blown craftsmanship results in one-of-a-kind heirloom quality pieces that are works of art.
Now that you know the three basic methods of crystal crafting, here are some crystal types that you may see when shopping for chandeliers.
Rock crystals (as seen here in the Schonbek Renaissance) were seen in the earliest crystal chandeliers, which date back to the 16th century and displaced actual wax candles as the method of amplifying and reflecting light. However, genuine rock crystal chandeliers are often only seen in palaces and museums these days. Rock crystals are actually as old as the Earth itself and each one is unique, created by geological events that took place over millions of years. Cool to the touch, rock crystals are natural and must be mined, cut and polished by gem cutters.
Colored crystals are used in many different types of chandeliers for different effects. Pretty much any color you can think of can be shown in a colored crystal. The color is coated onto the crystals, as in this Hinkley Carlton chandelier.
Hailing from and named for Venice, Italy, Venetian crystal is molded and not cut. It often has round edges from fire polishing, plus it contains soda and lime instead of lead oxide, so it looks softer. It is not as brilliant as cut crystal, but is a good budget option for certain customers. Similarly, Murano crystals are mouth-blown and can be shaped into circles, flowers and other shapes, as seen in the ET2 Fiori shown here. They can also be colored.
Egyptian or Gemcut crystals have a high lead oxide content. They are clear, sharp and flawless, but not as optically pure as Swarovski crystals.
Swarovski is the finest crystal in the world and probably what you think of when you think of crystals. Manufactured in the Austrian Alps, it is clear, flawless, uniquely pure and brilliant. Crafted by machine, it has more than 30 percent lead content. Some Swarovski crystals have optical coating for easier cleaning, but their Spectra crystals (used in the Crystorama Butler sconce shown) do not. Swarovski crystals can come in colors, too.
K9 crystal is a great choice for value-minded consumers. Mass-produced, it is cut and polished to look like more expensive grades of crystal, plus it features precise facets. K9 crystal is used in the Elan Rockne bath light.
Chandelier crystals, which can be cut and polished into various shapes and sizes, are called pendalogues, though sometimes it’s spelled pendeloques. Some common cuts of pendalogue include:
Some chandeliers might only use one kind of pendalogue while others feature many cuts!
Get more info about chandeliers with these articles:
Chandelier lighting 101–includes helpful advice on cleaning crystals for chandeliers
Mini chandeliers
Crystal lighting 101
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Custom Antler Chandelier.
The history of the chandelier
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Crystals…there are six main types available today, all of which make stunning crystal chandeliers. Explore all six and take your pick.
Crystal chandeliers provide unmatched elegance to any room.The history of crystal glass is closely tied to the development of the room chandelier. Chandeliers were originally candle holders and were hung from the ceiling to illuminate a room – and reduce the risk of fire.
In the late 17th century a process of casting glass prisms was invented. This glass was easy to produce, relatively cheap, and much easier to work with than real rock crystal that had to be mined and processed. Brand new models of chandeliers were soon being produced that used this glass, which was hand-cut and polished into different shapes and angles to increase candle power light.
Crystals on chandeliers can appear in various shapes and sizes.Modern chandeliers and ceiling fixtures use crystal glass in much the same way. A crystal chandelier helps create a visual focal point that draws the eye and suggests a romantic, magical intimacy that other types of lighting simply cannot reproduce.
Today, Schonbek chandeliers, James R. Moder chandeliers, Vienna Full Spectrum chandeliers, and others create dazzling new designs in crystal. And crystal is for more than just chandeliers. A new trend in the use of crystal is in table and floor lamps, and in the application of decorative crystal directly to the frame or body of lamps and other fixtures. No matter where it is used, crystal offers a one-of-a-kind look that can be treasured and enjoyed for generations to come.
Not all crystal is alike, however. There are many different types of crystal glass available today in a wide range of styles, cuts and price points.
Here’s a quick run-down of the six major types:
Swarovski Crystal offers the finest chandelier crystal option available.The finest crystal in the world, Swarovski Elements is manufactured by Swarovski AG in the Austrian Alps using a generations old secret process. Available in a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes, this collection of crystal glass offers a fabulous palette for lighting designers, as well as for designers in the worlds of fashion, jewelry and home accessories.
It is generally machine cut and then machine polished to achieve perfect optic clarity, razor sharp faceting and unique purity and brilliance. An invisible optical coating is then applied to Swarovski Elements glass, making it easier to clean and maintain. And to protect buyers against imitations, the company logo is laser etched in miniature inside each crystal element.
Swarovski crystal glass is manufactured by Swarovski AG. Generally less expensive than other Swarovski crystal, Spectra crystal is offered only in limited sizes and shapes compared with Strass crystal.
Egyptian crystal is featured in this contemporary chandelier.Gemcut crystal is first quality, machine cut crystal glass of a clarity and flawlessness far beyond industry standards. Though not as good as Strass or Swarovski crystal, gemcut is characterized by a prismatic brilliance, visual purity, sharp faceting and precise polishing all its own.
This chandelier design features Heritage crystal glass.The methods of producing this type of crystal date back centuries. In a labor intensive process, crystal is first cut by hand in two stages on iron and then sandstone grinding wheels. Then each crystal is polished on a wood wheel with marble dust. You may notice faint traces of the wood wheel in finished pieces, a mark of authenticity.
This bronze finish chandelier features Legacy crystal glass.This crystal comes from the historic glass-making region around Venice and has a look and feel all its own. Venetian crystal is molded and fire-polished rather than hand or machine cut, resulting in a beautifully subtle luminosity. It is modestly priced, compared with cut crystal.
This contemporary ceiling light features K9 crystal, which offers a brilliant look at a modest price.Mass produced, this crystal type offers a wonderful look at a modest price. It is cut and polished like more expensive grades, and has a high optic quality with precision facets. A good bet for consumers looking for high value and more for less.
Don’t miss our YouTube video (see below) with helpful hints on how to clean and care for your crystal lighting.
Easy Crystal Chandelier Cleaning Tips – Tips from Lamps PlusOur experts are here to help and can offer product recommendations and more. Call 800-782-1967 or use our contact page to speak with one of our, trained lighting experts or visit a Lamps Plus location near you. Our experts can help you choose from different sizes, including small crystal chandelier designs, finishes, and more. Whether via phone or in person, we’re happy to assist you in completing your project.
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4 Tips for Buying Chandeliers
How to Clean a Chandelier
Choosing & Hanging Dining Room Chandeliers
For more information, please visit Custom Made Antler Chandelier.