Chandelier originated from the French Word ‘Chandelle’. It means candle. It has a lengthy history of decorative items highlighting social status and accomplishment. It is an exclusive luxurious item synonymous with high society and power. A church in Europe used Chandelier holders for the first time in the 9th century. Soon, chandeliers were seen in royal palaces. They were candle holders hung from a ceiling to reduce fire sticks while illuminating a room.
Crystal chandeliers are still the favorites. On Sofary, buyers can check the chandelier price for your kitchen or dining room. For example, the rectangular, 3-tier, raindrop island pendant light, and double sphere raindrop are all varieties of crystal chandeliers you can choose from under $300 to less than $100.
Crafting crystal chandeliers need skills and creativity as they differ from the regular glass used in cups, window panes, eyeglasses, and more. You can find hand-cut and machine-cut crystals. Modern methods are used to produce varieties of crystals with sharp facets, correct polishing, and are visually pure. There are the Murano and Venetian crystals with smooth round edges. The mouth-blown craftsmanship results in exclusive artwork with heirloom quality.
Crystal types
Strass crystal – High-quality crystal trim Swarovski Strass is regarded as a premium brand because of its patented anti-dusting coating.
Lead crystal – Spectra, Egyptian, and Gemcut are lead crystals with some finest refractive qualities. Less expensive than Strass and is characterized by sharp faceting, precise polishing, prismatic brilliance, and visual purity.
Lead-free crystals – The Heirloom, Turkish, Czech, and Bohemian crystals use a blend of oxides instead of lead to attain better light refraction and high optical clarity that resembles full-lead crystals. It is less expensive than full-lead crystals.
Murano glass – It is an authentic Venetian crystal made on Italy’s Murano Island. It combines soda, sand, quartz, lead oxide, and potassium at extremely high temperatures. The artisan blows the glass and hand stretches it to create unique shapes and delicate flowers.
Venetian crystal – Venetian crystal originates from a historic glass-making region in Venice. Instead of flat facets, it has concave facets with a slight crystal texture. The optical clarity is less and rather than refracting light it reflects colors. Its price is moderate than hand-cut crystals.
Pressed glass crystals – These are also called Chinese crystals because it is the least expensive. The crystals are made from lime, sand, and soda. The mixture is heated in the furnace and re-shaped [drawn] or pressed [molded]. They are cut & polished like costly grades but lack precision facets and optic quality.
Rock crystals – Rock crystals are mined and each one is unique because they are shaped by pressures and geological events occurring across millions of years.
Aurora Borealis crystal – Clear crystals need direct light to create an attractive rainbow but Aurora Borealis crystals don’t need light to create a rainbow.
Common chandelier modern cuts include –
· Octagon
· Icicle
· Spear
· Rosette
· Square stone
· Swedish drop
· Kite
· Hexagonal prism
· Finial
· Baguette
· French
· Cut ball
Chandelier crystals are cut and polished in different sizes and shapes. These are termed pendalogues or pendaloques.
It helps to learn more about crystals and crystal chandeliers as you can make an informed decision.