Further Reading

Chandeliers have distinct qualities that could make rooms appear vibrant and classy. Because they are commonly hanged on ceilings, they have the power to draw the attention of visitors and passers-by. Today's chandeliers are constructed from a whole range of materials like antlers, metals such as brass and wrought iron chandeliers, plastic as well as gemstones. However, chandeliers made from crystal pieces remain as one of the most popular ceiling accents.

A crystal is a transparent mineral that looks like ice and is acknowledged for its extreme brilliance and optical purity. The brilliant quality of crystal is due to the refraction of light that passes through a prism, which is the same phenomenon exemplified when rainbows are formed. Because of the beautiful aesthetics of crystal, it has since been used as decorative accent throughout history ranging from jewelries to contemporary chandeliers. It has also been used for healing and promotion of overall wellness.

It was during the 16th century that the earliest known crystal chandeliers made from rock crystal pieces were used. A century after, which is considered as the Baroque period, craftsmen were able to perfect cutting rock crystal pieces used for chandeliers, and around that same time the first crystal glass chandeliers were created in France. Chandeliers made entirely out of crystal glasses were originally manufactured in Murano and eventually spread in Bohemia, England, Spain and Ireland. From here, the designs of crystal pieces used for chandeliers have evolved significantly, allowing them to befit any types of room.

The crystal stones used for contemporary chandeliers are either manually cut or machine cut. If you are to purchase chandeliers constructed from crystal pieces, it would be ideal for you to understand first what crystal types you could encounter on the store. This way you would be able to find the ones that would best complement your rooms. Indicated below are some of the most common crystal types utilized for chandeliers including their individual descriptions.

First in the list is the Strass Swarovski crystal that is originally manufactured in the Austrian Alps and is considered as the world's finest crystal type, known for its brilliant and flawless qualities. Crystal chandeliers made from these stones may be plain or in differing colors, and are expensive than other forms of chandeliers. On the other hand, heritage hand cut crystal pieces, as their name implies, are laboriously hand crafted by artisans through two cutting stages""iron and sandstone wheeling. After the said processes, the crystal is then hand-polished using a wood-wheel sprinkled with marble dust, leaving faint traces of wood wheeling which serves as a mark of authenticity of such crystal.

Rock crystal pieces are natural quartz that have been in use since the ancient times, and are acknowledged for the long process of their formation that gives them their distinct irregular shapes. These crystal pieces are all manually cut, grind and polished, which is why it takes about a week or two for a rock crystal to be finished. Meanwhile, legacy crystal pieces are manufactured in Venice and instead of cutting they are fire-polished making them more brilliant and luminous, while vintage crystal pieces are just like estate jewelries that goes along with fanciful beading. Generally, crystal chandeliers are truly remarkable as the light they emit are bright and their aesthetic are easy to the eye.

Contemporary chandeliers are all the rage in home interior designs today especially crystal chandeliers that are acknowledged for their brilliance and ability to retract light efficiently. Because of this, more and more homeowners prefer having chandeliers made from crystal pieces inside their living spaces, and their design choices may range from simple wrought iron chandeliers with crystal pieces to grandiose sterling crystal ceiling accents.