The Best Guide To Crystal Chandeliers & Their Types?
Welcome To The Best Guide To Crystal Chandeliers & Their Types.
Firstly, What are crystal chandeliers and their types?
Crystal chandeliers are a modern type of chandeliers that are branched ornamental light fixtures with suspended lights designed for ceilings or roofs. They were originally candle holder which was hanged to roofs for illumination and to avoid the risk of fire.
In short, these are just like large billiard halls or bulb prism hanging with roofs.
History of chandeliers:
The history of chandeliers starts from 1736 by modern French which means candle originated from the word chandelle. They were evolved from candelabra (associated with candle holders) and were invented during the middle ages. They were used as the source of light till the 18th century. Later they were updated in gas lights and afterward electric lights
In ancient Greek two types of chandeliers were used Classic crystal chandeliers contemporary chandeliers
1. Classic chandeliers
Classic chandeliers were used to illuminate palaces. These ancient and classic chandeliers were different from modern ones. Crystal chandeliers are a classic type of chandeliers that are arrays of crystal with suspended light used to illuminate a room with a refracted mechanism of light
2. Contemporary chandeliers
These are minimalist designs that do not contain prisms with a glass covering on each lamp. Contemporary chandeliers aluminate with direct light from lamps instead of refracting light mechanisms
Sometimes these lamps are also covered by a translucent glass covering.
Modern chandeliers
The modernized design of chandeliers is equipped with LED lights that are combined with elements of both classic and contemporary designs.
Some species of modern chandeliers also consist of refractive crystal prisms (known as crystal chandeliers) or small mirrors.
What are Crystal chandeliers
A crystal chandelier is the most modernized form of chandeliers that are used to illuminate and decorate houses. Crystal chandeliers create a visual focal
Point due to the use of different lighting effects which catches the eye and creates a romantic, magical sense of intimacy that simple types of lighting cannot reproduce.
How crystal chandeliers are used:
These are used to install in the ceilings of rooms, hallways, and galleries mostly.
Nowadays a trend has been practiced to use crystal in the table and floor lamps, and decorative crystals are also applied directly to the frame or body of lamps and wall fixtures. Crystal chandeliers have become an accessory of every compartment of a house. People are installing hem by varying in size according to space for example following categories of crystal chandeliers are used now a day crystal chandelier for bathroom
- Crystal chandeliers for bedrooms
- Crystal chandeliers for dining room
- Crystal chandeliers for entrance
- Crystal chandeliers for entryway
- Crystal chandeliers for hallway
- Crystal chandeliers for kitchen
In short, there's a variety of crystal chandeliers for any kind of interior, including luxury, progressive, or farmhouse charm. You can choose just as much glitz as you like, from an understated sparkle to a full-Dynasty mode.
History
Crystal chandelier theory roots back to the middle ages. In the late 17th-century antique crystal chandeliers were made, by casting glass prisms. The reason for using this glass was that it was easy to produce and comparatively cheaper than rocks.
Moreover, it was much easier to work with crystal glass than real rock crystal. Because the real rock crystal had to be mined and processed
Composition of crystal chandeliers
The crystal chandelier is divided into three parts
- Crystal prism
- Arm or frame
- Light effects used in the chandelier
Crystal prism
In Modern chandeliers, crystal glass is used in the same way as in ancient times.
Crystal chandeliers are misunderstood as glass but they are made of glass and not any type of glass. That is not made like the glass in windows or cups, etc.
So, people confuse that what is the difference between crystal chandeliers and actual glass?
To answer this question, we need to discuss the composition and material used for crystal chandeliers. Crystal chandeliers are developed as a result of the fusion of combined intricate glass parts which are melted at insane temperatures along with silica sand, lead, hot ash, and other ingredients in the furnace.
The combination of all these materials, especially lead oxide makes the crystal heavier and more sparkling.
Lead oxide makes the crystal chandelier sparkling. The more lead oxide is added, the better it becomes in reflecting the light. This lead creates light refraction and when light passes through the glass it seems like thousands of colors sparkling.
So, we can differentiate the glass as it is made up of just melted sand. But the crystal is infused with 5%-30% lead. High-quality crystal is very clear and clean, and it sparkles with even the smallest amount of light. Cheap crystal, on the other hand, is foggy and faint and doesn’t have near the sparkle. The difference between high-quality crystal and cheap crystal is hard to see with the naked eye until you are aware of these differences at which point you notice it all the time.
Arm or frame
The arm or frame of the crystal chandelier helps to shape it in a unique mantelpiece the craftsman shapes it in desired structure by using specific tools. They make the crystal chandelier piece by piece by hand-cut and then polish it into different shapes and angles which helps increase the power of light. it is quite dangerous and fabulous, as well.
Lights used
LED bulbs are used nowadays to illuminate crystal chandeliers.
Mechanism and use of crystal chandelier
Crystal chandeliers are formally styled in such a way that a series of bulbs are surrounded by glass crystals which refracts the light throughout the surrounding. It is a fantastic way to enhance the atmosphere of any room or home. As it’s not just a plain lighting accessory but also adds in the decoration and elegance when light refracts from cutting-edge fashion and a vintage flair.
Types of crystal chandeliers:
There are many different types of crystal glass available today in a wide range of styles, cuts, and price points.
The following five types are considered the best and beautiful types of crystal chandeliers
- Swarovski Elements based Crystal Glass chandelier
- Spectra Crystal chandelier
- Egyptian / Moroccan Crystal chandelier (also known as Gem cut)
- Turkish Crystal (also famous with the names of Hand Cut/Heritage Hand cut/Regal crystal)
- Italian Crystal (Legacy, Venetian)
- K9 and Chinese Crystal
The finest quality:
Currently, Swarovski Crystal is the finest chandelier crystal among all crystal chandeliers available in the market.
Other Than the above-mentioned categories, some other varieties are also available in the market like:
- Antique brass and crystal chandeliers
- Gold crystal chandeliers
- Vintage crystal chandeliers
This is a simpler design of crystal chandeliers than others, just like a pendent with leaf extension.
- Baccarat crystal chandeliers
An 18 light fixture is the exceptional quality of these crystal chandeliers. These are over-sized beautifully designed chandeliers. They are styled by luminous prisms and bead of baccarat crystal hanged with scrolling branches
- Black crystal chandeliers
- Bohemia crystal chandeliers
- Bronze and crystal chandeliers
These mountain-like chandeliers crystals are shaped just like raindrops and styled as a series of small to large branches. Sometimes crystal beads are surrounded by a prism.
- Brushed nickel crystal chandeliers
These are widely used crystal chandeliers. The more refined and clear crystal is designed like bubbles that sparkle when light passes from them
- Ceiling fans with crystal chandeliers
This is a modern trend to use crystal chandeliers with ceiling fans
- Contemporary crystal chandeliers for dining room
These have a unique style and updated with modern elegance mostly used to install in the dining room due to their massive size
Swarovski Elements Crystal chandeliers
This is the finest type of crystal in the world; Swarovski Elements of crystal glass was first manufactured by Swarovski AG in the Austrian Alps. They used a generations-old secret process. Swarovski crystal chandeliers are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes;
These collections of Swarovski Elements crystal chandeliers have a fabulous palette for lighting and designing, as well as they are featured as many-branched curving arms around the central column. Arrays of crystals prisms surround the arms.
They can be installed in interior spaces like rooms
Manufacturing
These are generally machine-cut crystals. They are polished also by machine to achieve perfect optic clarity and unique purity. Then An invisible optical coating is applied to the crystal which makes it easier to clean and maintain. It also protects the buyers against imitations
Spectra Crystal
Spectra crystal is a type of Swarovski Element of crystal glass. Generally, spectra crystal chandeliers are less expensive than other Swarovski crystal,
But they are offered only in limited sizes and shapes compared with vintage Strass crystal chandeliers.
Egyptian / Moroccan Crystal (Gem cut)
Gem cut crystal also known as Egyptian or Moroccan crystal is the first quality, machine-cut crystal with clarity and flawlessness of glass. These are featured in this contemporary chandelier type.
Though not as good as Strass or Gem cut is characterized by a unique prism, visual purity, sharp faceting, and precise level of polishing. These are called Egyptian crystal chandeliers as they have an antique touch in designing
Turkish Crystal (also known as Hand cut or Heritage crystals)
This chandelier design features Heritage crystal glass as this method of producing a crystal is many centuries old.
This is an intensive process in which first of all crystal is cut by hand in two stages first on iron and secondly at sandstone grinding wheels.
Then each crystal is polished on a wood wheel with marble dust. The faint traces of the wood wheel in finished pieces are found as a mark of authenticity.
Italian Crystal (Legacy or Venetian)
This bronze finish chandelier is specialized due to Legacy crystal glass. The idea of this crystal comes from Venice which Is known as the historic glass-making region around the world this has a unique look that feels all its own. Due to its origin, it is also called Venetian crystal to make an Italian crystal chandelier the Venetian crystal is molded and then fire-polished. It has not included hand or machine cut that’s why a beautiful subtle luminosity is the feature of this crystal. It is more expensive than cut crystal.
K9 and Chinese Crystal
K9 crystal is also called Chinese crystal, one of the beautiful crystal chandeliers. K9 crystal is manufactured at the base of contemporary ceiling light which offers a brilliant look. That is why it is highly-priced.
It is cut and polished like more expensive grades, the optic quality of k9 with its precision facets make it incredible and unique. It has limited Shapes and size for crystal chandeliers
Size and shapes of crystal chandeliers
The crystal chandeliers are varying in size and have a variety of shapes according to places of their installation as well as space. These are mostly classified as
- Large 3 tier crystal chandelier
- Mini crystal chandelier
- Crystal pendant chandelier
Furthermore, there are some beautiful crystal designs and shapes which are widely used for chandeliers like:
- Beaded style crystals
- Layard arm crystal chandeliers
- Cascading crystal fixture chandeliers
These are mostly used for small spaced rooms or rooms having low ceilings.
The more modern shapes are including:
- Round, rectangular, and asteroid shape crystal chandeliers are used according to interior type and space
- Italian crystal chandeliers now a day is also used to produce antique style crystal chandeliers
Moreover, to make the is most luxurious iron crystal bronze and gold crystal chandeliers are also used in crystal chandeliers
Affordable crystal chandeliers
The prices of crystal chandeliers vary according to shapes and material used but now a day’s machine cut crystal chandeliers are more affordable and Cheap crystal chandeliers than handwork antique products
Expensive crystal chandeliers
Vintage Strass crystal chandeliers are considered the most expensive crystal chandeliers due to their finest quality. Black crystal chandeliers and brands crystal chandeliers
Best quality chandeliers at affordable prices
However, there are some other kinds of crystal such as Gem cut, Egyptian crystal style, spectra crystal chandeliers, heritage or Turkish crystal chandeliers, and wood polished crystal chandeliers that have fine quality at affordable prices.
Tips to install crystal chandeliers:
Crystal chandelier's dimensions, height, and size matter a lot. These are varying according to space ad type of interior where they need to install. There are some ideas and tips which are used by architects and lighting designers to select the crystal chandelier according to interior specifications.
Measurement of Height
The crystal chandeliers height varies according to the height of the ceiling. If the ceiling is 8 feet high then the size of the chandelier should be 20 to 24 inches.
Selection of shape
Rectangular-shaped crystal chandeliers are preferred for low ceilings height. And for hallways drum shaped crystal chandeliers are more suitable than crystal chandeliers possessing round baskets.
Selection for dining room
To install Crystal chandeliers in the dining room its height from the table should be30 to 34 inches. And it should be placed in the middle of the table
Cleansing of crystal chandelier
Washing and Cleaning of crystal chandeliers is an important step and the most appealing issue to be discussed. Following tips are used to clean them accurately without damaging their glory.
Best cleaner for crystal chandeliers
There are a variety of cleaning solutions available in the market to clean crystal chandeliers. The solution having alcohol in it the best to clean crystal chandeliers
The best way to clean crystal chandeliers is to make a paste of vinegar with one teaspoon of salt and apply it to the crystal stemware surface. Leave it for 10 minutes after gentle rubbing. Then fill a tub with warm water. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to it. Then gently soak it in the water
Furthermore, you can also make a vinegar solution to clean crystal chandeliers but cleaning crystal chandeliers with vinegar need more care while making the solution.
How to make a vinegar solution?
- Add one drop of white vinegar with one teaspoon of dish soap to the water
- Then sink the crystals in it carefully.
- Use a soft cloth and clean each crystal one by one
Frequently asked question
People nowadays are confused about crystal and glass chandeliers. These questions are frequently asked:
How do I know if my chandelier is a crystal?
Check the body of the chandelier by which pieces it is composed. The crystal chandeliers have a frame of brass, copper, bronze, or iron, it is because to support the weight of the crystal body
Are crystal chandeliers out of style?
Crystal chandeliers are ancient but not out-dated. These have become a compulsory decorative and light accessory. A lot of unique designs are available for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kid rooms, and other house compartments.