Friday, May 23, 2008

How To Make Chandelier Earrings Using Paper Clips

Go through your beads and find 10 bead pairs that will be worked into your earrings. Here's how to make a pair of earrings with a central bead just below the hook and three strands of links flowing from it. Each bead is made into a link which is joined to the rest of the earring.

Plan before you start work. Arrange the beads on the velvet cloth in the form of the two chandelier earrings. For each earring, put the largest bead below the hook. Arrange the remaining 9 beads in groups of three, one bead above the other, just below the central bead. Arrange the 9 matching beads for the other earring in a pattern symmetrical to the first.

Making the central bead link

1. Open up a paper clip so that it resembles a piece of thick wire.
2. Slide the largest bead to the center of the paper clip.
3. Using the tweezers, loop the wire above the bead through the hook and back to the top of the bead. Close the loop as tightly as you can.
4. Make a wide loop below the bead. This loop will hold the three strands that form the rest of the chandelier earrings. Close the loop as tightly as you can.

Making a bead chain

1. Open up a paper clip and slide it into the bottom bead so that the entire hole of that bead is filled with the paper clip. Wind the clip around bead to secure it.
2. Make the middle link. Open another paper clip. Slide the wire through the bead so that the bead lies in the center of the wire. Make a closed loop above the bead. Make another closed loop below the bead. Loop the wire on top of the bottom bead into the loop below the middle bead and close the loop tightly.
3. Open another paper clip. Slide the top bead in that chain to the center of it. Loop the wire below that bead through the top loop of the middle bead, close the loop as tightly as you can. Loop the wire above the bead into the wide loop below the central bead and secure that tightly. The first chain is now in place. Do likewise for the second and third bead chains and you have one chandelier earrings.

Make the other chandelier earring the same way.

The author's site http://www.sexy-earrings.com explains in 3 steps, how to choose the right earrings for your size, face shape and coloring while http://www.cheapestsale.com/jewelry/earrings.html is a price comparison site for earrings.

Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, May 22, 2008

New Look With The Modern Crystal Chandeliers

Some of the things that make a room look more beautiful and with an alluring aura are the lightings, vases, pillows, curtains, hardware?s etc. According to the Long Island interior designers these are just some that can beautify your home.

The interior designers from the Long Island gave a few tips in order to add a distinguishable texture, color and aura in regards to your room decors.

Interior designers said that the use of chandeliers in a room is a new way on showing the aura of your house. Crystal chandeliers were known to be use over the dining area, living room, hallways and foyers. But according to the owner of Mabley Handler Interior Designers, which is located in Water Mill, Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler, chandeliers can now be turn into modern designs. These chandeliers can be crafted in shapes that are abstract with sulk drum shades. Their colors can be turn into dramatic that can create a focal point instead of a light source.

Mabley says that many people who are in favor with the transitional decorating-pairing of traditional pairings with contemporary accessories are still looking for different ways on how to create their new design of textures.

According to Handler, there are others, which are looking for creative uses for cultured faux stone panels, which are designed to mimic a river rock or field, stone.

Mabley added that other fabrics that are inspired by Indians and their glassware accessories are sometimes being paired with furniture?s that are monochromatic which can create a space that is unique, contemporary and global.

Mabley states that in beddings, pillows and draperies are embroidered with jewel-toned fabrics, while the rugs within the area with similar patterns can contribute to a more traditional and sophisticated look in a room.

Truly, a modern crystal chandelier will give a new look to your house.

Article Author Eliza Maledevic from http://www.Jump2top.com, a SEO Company. Know more about Crystal Chandeliers & Lighting Fixtures at http://www.goldenageusa.com

 

Labels: , , , ,

An Introduction To Chandeliers

Chandeliers are special decorative lights that have been used now for many years. They are in themselves a very traditional form of lighting, and have an elaborate history.

Chandeliers have always been associated with elegance, wealth, and beauty. Originally, chandeliers were used in medieval churches for their efficient illumination of large halls. They were generally created in the form of a wooden cross with a number of spikes which candles could be secured to, and the whole assembly was hung from a rope suspended from the ceiling.

Today, chandeliers are often the centerpieces of a well decorated home. They are designed to float in the room as an important part of the decor, and are the perfect way to set the mood in your home.

The type of bulbs used for chandeliers are small, lower wattage bulbs that are generally formed in the shape of a candle flame, although not all chandeliers are limited to small bulbs. The chandeliers available now are far more colorful than they were in the past. They are reaching new heights with dazzling effects. Some chandeliers are so big they fill vast halls and are studded with precious stones and gold.

When selecting a chandelier for your home, it can become a little difficult as there are so many different varieties and sizes to choose from. Never in the long history of chandeliers has there been so much choice as there is today.

Some people prefer to choose an oversized chandelier for their room, as this can be used to complement the decor, but undersized chandeliers must be avoided unless you are planning to install more than one.

Custom made chandeliers are an option that is available which will give you the finish you require. These are beautifully designed to bring you years of enjoyment. Then there are crystal chandeliers which are one of the most traditional ways to compliment a dining room setting. They are valued for the warm light they give off and the sparkle they add to a room. Finally, there are wrought iron chandeliers which are classic yet still so elegant in their simplicity.

The position of the chandelier is very important so that you get the full benefit from the light it provides. If you are installing a chandelier in your dining room, it should be positioned precisely over the center of the table.

Once you have made your choice of the perfect chandelier, you will be able to sit back and enjoy the brilliant beauty that it adds to your home.

For more detailed information on chandeliers and lighting please visit Chandeliers

Labels: , , , ,

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

How Does Crystal Chandelier Became Symbol of Wealth


Chandelier was originally used in abbeys and medieval churches in order to competently light up huge rooms and halls. It is a fixture set at the ceiling which has about two or more arms embracing lights. Before, chandelier typically form was of a wooden cross which has spikes for securing it.

Afterward, chandelier was not only for lighting purposes, it even gained decorative and aesthetic functions, ever since it took on further sophisticated forms. Finding chandeliers in palaces and at the homes of the rich, it that really surprising, in time, chandeliers became a symbol of wealth.

Crystal chandelier is one form of chandeliers. It varied and devised gradually but the stature came through the development of lead glass in England in the 17th century, stated by Jutta-Arnette Page, curator of the European Collection at the Corning Museum of Glass at New York.

The result of lead is the capacity of making the glass extremely refractive, so the adding of lead had given the old crystal its clearness and glittering shine. The refraction of the glass clearly outlines the quality of the chandelier.

Donna Wilkinson described the familiarity as reminiscent of Europe's 18th and 19th century magnificence. "Tiers of flickering candle flames were reflected in the diamond like drops and pendants; every color of the rainbow was dispersed throughout the room," stated by in her article written for Arts & Antiques Magazine. Rock crystal was uncommon and very pricey during those times, a reason why there have been problems on attaining refraction. And that cristallo was quite delicate and breakable, which makes it complex and hard in cutting the crystal that can make probable fraction.

Developed in the year 1676, a crystalline glass that can be an option to rock crystal, it was done by George Ravenscroft, an English man, who actually searches for an alternative. Glass becomes supple and easier to slash if adding lead oxide was made; this was discovered by George after performing series of test and experimentations. The simplicity of cutting can make the glass even more refractive and will turn out to be more transparent than the rock crystal.

Jessie McNab, associate curator of decorative arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, stated that "Lead glass gave fire and life to glass crystals. And if it was used on chandeliers with candles, it was absolutely brilliant."

Chandeliers soon became opulence objects and its designs became even more complicated and sophisticated. The demand for chandeliers rose. Rococo was been the biggest influenced with the chandeliers in 1750s. Chandeliers made with cut-glass pendants and some glittering ornaments which gave it more clarity and sparkle. The stunning style of Robert Adam, in 1765, actually made chandeliers longer. Grecian-um a design was used with the shafts of the chandeliers. The arms of the chandelier were strung with chains of pendants and the drip pans like bells and flowers, were even more sophisticated and complex.

The attainment of the 'English crystal' actually undergone heaps of problems and implementation, but the European continent is still hoping that this would come up better. J. & L. Lobmeyer in Vienna and baccarat in France, made some attempts, and were able to attain excellent lead crystal chandeliers in the 1820s and 1830s. Artisans didn't stop in developing better and exceptional chandeliers.

Article Author Eliza Maledevic from Jump2top.com, a SEO Company.Visit GoldenAge Crystal Chandeliers & Lighting Fixtures at http://www.goldenageusa.com

Labels: , , , ,

Friday, May 16, 2008

Famous Chandeliers From Around The World

Elvis was so moved to bring a chandelier into his Graceland estate that he insisted on an impromptu late-night shopping spree at Memphis' Belvedere Lighting in 1974. While Elvis may have left the building, the breathtaking Italian cut glass chandelier now resides in the dining room.

The impressive wrought iron chandelier that hangs above the Grand Staircase in the Vanderbilt family's great Biltmore Estate requires 72 light bulbs.

The Winchester Mystery House in California, built by gun heiress Sarah Winchester to appease unhappy ghosts, contains an elegant, imported chandelier that originally contained 12 candles, but was refitted to hold the spirit-friendly number of 13.

The Blue Room, the White House's reception room, boasts a chandelier 79 feet by 36 feet, with 19-foot 10-inch ceilings. It takes one person two entire days to clean the monstrous chandelier, but as big as it is, the lighting fixture must also be removed every year to accommodate an even bigger Christmas tree.

Outside of private residences, however, one must either go to church or gamble at the card tables to find the largest chandelier. While the title for biggest chandelier isn't a clear winner, four of the world's top casinos and a Spanish mosque currently vie for the bragging rights. However, reports say a British shopping center under reconstruction will feature the largest chandelier after remodeling is completed by the beginning of 2007.

Pat Fillman, the owner of Horns a Plenty, made the world?s largest antler chandelier. He displayed the chandelier in early 2005 wowing all that saw it. The chandelier is 10 feet in diameter, 12 feet tall, and is fixed with sixty-seven light sources. With a final weight of over 850 pounds, he estimates that it took the antlers of nearly 600 dear and elk to make the chandelier.

Perhaps the most famous chandelier of all belongs, not in a house, a casino or a church, but in the theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber's well-known chandelier crash scene from Phantom of the Opera strikes desperation in the hearts of lighting buffs everywhere.

For more information on famous chandeliers, visit http://www.chandelierblog.com

Learn more about crystal chandeliers at the Chandelier Blog

Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Crystal Chandeliers - Crystallizing Reflections of Ourselves

Chandeliers have that wonderful ability to engender the feeling of elegance and warmth to wherever they hang. And since the lighting of your residence is a fundamental ingredient, it makes sense to use it as a way of creating, augmenting and embellishing the ambiance in whichever way you decide. We talk of people ?lighting up? with joy and we all immediately know what?s being talked about. Well arranged lighting will automatically give life and verve to the reception rooms that you want. You can adjust the lighting like ingredients in your favorite dish. Subdued light creates restful settings; different colors set different moods. You can have fun choosing the kinds of lighting that you feel comfortable with. If you think you need to encourage certain aspects of your individuality, your personality, see if you can decide how to co-ordinate that.

You slowly get the feel that, by molding these aspects to your needs and wishes, you?re becoming at one with your surroundings. Consider the old saying, ?Your home is your castle?. Actually castles are like statements of unbeatable strength ? resisting outside intrusions. So let warriors choose castles as they may wish ? with their dungeons of decaying enemies. This is so far from the reality of the world many of us live in. Shouldn?t your dwelling be a reflection of you, of what is important to you? ? So why not make it that way! Let?s all lighten up.

Some of the nicest ways of enriching our lives is to ensure our senses are in touch with joyous objects. Chandeliers have raised the moods of all who gaze on them for many a century. They come in such a huge variety that you?re bound to find some that just fit. If you go for one of the larger imposing models, make sure that it?s what you really want. Maybe you won?t want it on all the time as your principal lighting though. It?s good to keep options open such as have matching wall sconces with different light switches, so it?s you again choosing how you set your light ? your scene.

Crystals have their own charm. It?s always been that way. People even heal themselves with them. Wherever you see clear or colored crystals, it catches your eye with its own magic. They are the womb of rainbows and give birth to joy and mirth! Who got it right by combining those together creating the ever enchanting crystal chandelier? We can also get it right by bringing in these qualities to our lives, enriching our environment, enriching ourselves. Well, it?s only a thought. But that?s the reality we live in. In the mystic realms of our unconscious, we create our world. The world isn?t in any definable way, it just is. It?s us that add our reality to it by covering it with our words, our senses. Why not add the reality we want. Taking control of your lighting makes sense from the most fundamental to the downright practical.

Julian Pollock is a freelance author and publisher of articles providing information on a wide range of subjects. He is a regular contributor to Chandelier-Mall.com and has included here his view on the qualities and value of the crystal chandelier. He has also written on the many different types of chandeliers in general and the benefits of matching wall sconces

 

Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

History of Crystal Chandeliers

A chandelier is a fixture fixed at the ceiling with two or more arms bearing lights. It was first used in medieval churches and abbeys in order to efficiently illuminate large rooms and halls. During those times, a chandelier usually took the form of a wooden cross that has spikes in order to secure it

From then on, chandeliers took on more elaborate forms. It was not only used for lighting purposes, it took on decorative and aesthetic functions. It was not surprising that chandeliers are found in palaces and home of the rich. Chandeliers, eventually, became a symbol of wealth.

One form of chandeliers is the crystal chandelier. According to Jutta-Arnette Page, curator of the European Collection at the Corning Museum of Glass at New York, it varied and evolved through time but its height came during the development of lead glass in England in the 17th century.

The addition of lead gave old crystal its clarity and sparkle. The effect of lead is its ability to make glass highly refractive. The refraction of glass defines the quality of the chandelier. As was stated by Donna Wilkinson in her article written for Arts & Antiques Magazine, ?tiers of flickering candle flames were reflected in the diamond like drops and pendants, every color of the rainbow was dispersed throughout the room.? She even described the experience as reminiscent of Europe?s 18th and 19th century splendor.

The problem of achieving refraction during those times was that rock crystal was rare and very expensive. In addition, cristallo, was very brittle and this poses difficulty in cutting the crystal that could make fraction possible. Attempting to find a substitute, an English glassmaker, George Ravenscroft, developed in 1676 a crystalline glass that would serve as an alternative for rock crystal. He discovered after a series of experimentation that glass becomes soft and easier to cut if lead oxide is added. The ease of cutting made the glass highly refractive and became even more transparent than rock crystal.

Lead glass gave fire and life to glass crystals, according to Jessie McNab, associate curator of decorative arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She claims that ?when it was used on chandeliers with candles, it was absolutely brilliant.?

The demand for chandeliers increased. Chandeliers became luxury objects and designs soon became even more complex. Chandeliers in the 1750s were greatly influenced by Rococo. Chandeliers bore touches of cut-glass pendants and such ornaments giving it more sparkle. In 1765, the elegant style of Robert Adam made crystal chandeliers longer. The shafts of the chandeliers used Grecian-um designs. Their arms were strung with chains of pendants and their candle sockets and drip pans became very elaborate. Bells or flowers are examples of these drip pans.

The achievement of the ?English Crystal? had undergone a lot of experimentation and obstacle. However, the European continent is still hoping that it would soon be able to catch up. Such attempts can be seen in the works of J. & L. Lobmeyer in Vienna and baccarat in France who were able to achieve exceptional lead crystal chandeliers in the 1820s and 1830s. Artisans, today, have not stopped pushing themselves. Their goal to achieve perfection had surely made chandeliers a truly one of a kind art work.

Ma. Roma Agsalud http://www.goldenageusa.com

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, May 9, 2008

How Do I Choose And Shop For The Right Size Murano Chandelier?

?A fine chandelier is an investment that will add to the value of your home.?

How To Choose The Right Size And Lighting Power Of A Murano Chandelier

Your Murano chandelier must be the most decorative element in your room. It is designed to float in a room as an important part of the d?cor. Too large and this fixture will overpower the space. Too small, and it will look out of place.

The following is a guideline for you to follow when deciding how to hang your Murano chandelier:

- 80? from the floor to the end of the chandelier would be a standard rule of thumb unless the chandelier is being hung over a table. In this case, the space can be reduced.

- To have an idea of how large your chandelier has to be, this formula is the right one: In a square room: one wall (feet) x 2.2 = width of chandelier; In a rectangular room, these formulas are for the shorter wall, but if one wall is twice the size of the other, we suggest to use two identical chandeliers.

- Wattage ? you can use bulbs from 15 to 60 watts depending upon how bright you want the area to be lit; also, with larger chandeliers, it would be a good idea to use a double switch or dimmer.

How To Shop For A Murano Chandelier

Both fashionable and functional chandeliers should be incorporated with the home d?cor just as any decorative art object.

To find the right color, begin with a color or material that is predominant in the decoration scheme of the room. Depending on the impact you may want to convey, for traditional styling you may want to consider an ornate, detailed chandelier. For a more modern style, you may want to opt for a less ornamental chandelier with a simpler design.

Visit several lighting showrooms prepared with a photo or sketch of the space you want to illuminate. It is important to also have the color palate of the space so that you will be able to find a chandelier that is complementary to these colors. When checking out your chandelier prior to your purchase, make certain to look at the quality and detail of the fixture.

Another important consideration is the weight of the chandelier. Those heavier than 50lbs have to be mounted more securely to the house?s structure.

The chandelier has been carefully assembled and hung. Perfect in every way, your Murano chandelier adds beauty and elegance to your living space. It provides the perfect accent to your d?cor. Your chandelier is not only functional, but a decorative work of art!

Russ Roman - technical advisor for Dibianco Lighting Company, which represent to the public high quality handcrafted Murano glass lamps.

Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Wrought Iron Chandeliers

There are many chemical elements abounding our universe and one notable is the iron. Iron along with nickel is the most abundant elements making up the crust of the earth. Iron with a chemical symbol Fe has 26 atomic numbers. It is in group 8, period 4 of the metallic alloy category. Iron are heaviest metals having an atomic weight of 55.847.

Considerable quantity of iron is sourced in sun and other stars. The nucleus of the element is very stable and doesn?t need any undergoing process to form. Iron is the main component of siderites, one class of meteorite.

Iron metals are taken out from the ores of iron. Impurities in the elements must be removed through chemical reduction to acquire the metallic iron. The most known alloy is the steel. Primarily, iron is being utilizes in steel production. It is also being applied in automobiles, ships and structure of buildings.

Some other forms of iron is enumerated and discussed below:

1. Cast iron is a hard and brittle iron and carbon alloy which contains small quantity of manganese and phosphorous, carbon (2% to 4%), and silicon (1% to 6%). Cast irons can be classified as white or grey cast iron.

?White casts are those which cementite, an iron found in steel containing more than .85% of carbon. These iron are hard but not shock resistant.

?Grey casts iron has relatively low tensile strength and are not that ductile. The composition of carbon in grey iron exists in flaky form. Grey iron are inexpensive and easy to make and are usually used for decorative castings, engine block and electrical boxes.

2. Carbon steel is composed of little amounts of silicon, sulfur, manganese, phosphorous and 0.4% to 1.5% carbon.

3. Alloy steel also contains carbon and other metals like chromium, tungsten, nickel, etc. alloy steel are expensive at times because of their high alloy content

Wrought iron doesn?t quickly rust when wet. It has been largely used for gates, and blacksmith. This kind of iron is cheaper and available widely. Wrought iron is sometimes referred to as ornamental ironwork.

With classy styles, the iron chandelier has developed and has offered hundreds of types and styles. These are great lightning options suited for bedrooms, dining and entrance hall of either hotels or residential houses. These chandeliers are great and elegant alternative for homey candles and lightning bulbs.

Iron and its many uses bring forth great ideas which man uses to develop products. One such useful equipment is the wrought iron. With intricate designs and beautiful aura it brings at home, it can be a good investment that is worth paying for.


Mario Chompass is a product designer that creates home furniture and garden utility furniture, combining the outdoors to the functionality of the material. Learn more about Iron and about Wrought Iron Chandeliers.

Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Art Deco Chandeliers

Art deco chandeliers are products of an art style that originated in the 1920's. Its origins lie in Europe until it spread in other parts of the world such as the United States.

The term Art Deco came from the World Fair held in Paris in 1925. The fair was officially titled Exposition Internationale des Arts D?coratifs et Industriels Modernes. For years, Paris remained the center of Art Deco style. From this place came popular Art Deco designers like furniture maker Jacques Emile Ruhlmann and metal artist Jean Dunand.

True to its name, art deco chandeliers reflect the characteristic of materials that characterize the Art Deco style. Among the materials that make up such chandeliers are aluminum, stainless steel, inlaid wood and lacquer.

Designs of Art Deco chandeliers also resemble typical patterns reflected in Art Deco paintings. These chandeliers usually have sweeping curves in its design. The sunburst motif is also a famous example of an Art Deco chandelier design.

Because Art Deco was originally associated with elitism, Art Deco chandeliers have been a favorite feature of royal gathering places and churches. Their antique look and large sizes match the high ceilings and rusty posts of such establishments.

In the United States, Art Deco lightings came to birth during the 1930's, when buildings inspired by the art movement were established. Examples of these are the Chrysler Building and the Radio City Music Hall. Both are located in New York City.

Today, Art Deco chandeliers are readily available as a form of modern chandeliers. Sample pictures, complete with prices and shipping charges, are available in several websites of chandelier stores. Some stores also offer custom design packages for buyers who want to implement their own touch to readily available Art Deco chandelier design templates. With the help of the store artist, they can come up with their own version of an Art Deco chandelier.

Together with chandeliers inspired by other periods in history, Art Deco chandeliers have indeed widened the selection of homeowners and interior designers alike.

Chandeliers provides detailed information on chandeliers, crystal chandeliers, antler chandeliers, candle chandeliers and more. Chandeliers is affiliated with Kids Ceiling Fans .

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, December 3, 2007

Crystal Chandeliers: Mirroring Personalities

 

Crystal chandeliers have that wonderful ability to engender the feeling of elegance and warmth to wherever they hang. For the reason that interior lighting of your home is an essential ingredient, it makes sense to use crystal chandeliers as a way of fostering, supplementing and embellishing the ambiance in whatever manner you can think of. We have heard talks of people “lighting up” with delight and we know, at once, what it actually implicates. Well-planned lighting will most certainly render the life and vibrancy to the reception and living rooms that you want. You can fiddle with the lighting just like ingredients of your favorite dish. Gentle light creates cozy and laid-back settings; different colors set a variety of moods. You can have fun and pleasure in selecting the kinds of lighting with which you feel comfortable. If you think you need to incite certain facets of your individuality, your personality, see if you can make a decision on how to coordinate these.

By molding these aspects to your needs and wishes, you gradually acquire the feeling that you are being more attuned and at one with your surroundings. Consider the old adage, “Your home is your castle.” Most of us would consider castles to be structural statements of unbeatable strength—effectively thwarting outside intrusions. So let kings choose their castles as they may wish, with their dungeons of decaying enemies. This is so far from the reality of the world many of us live in. The main point of this analogy is to ask the question, “Shouldn’t your dwelling be a reflection of you, of what is important to you?” Thus, this article suggests that it is a recommendable idea of making a house mirror the owner’s personality. The simplest way to do this is through crystal chandeliers.

Some of the most preferred ways of enriching our lives is to indulge our senses by being in touch with delightful objects. Crystal chandeliers have enchanted the moods of all who gaze on them for since the time of kings and knights. They come in such a plethora of variety that anyone is bound to find some style that fit them. If you decide to go for one of the larger imposing models, be certain that it is what you really want. Maybe you would not want it on all the time as your principal lighting though. Hence, it is recommended to keep options open such as have matching wall sconces with different light switches. Your personality never gets out of the picture.

Crystals have their own charm. It has always been that way for many centuries. They even have therapeutic value as people heal themselves with them. Wherever you see clear or colored crystals, it catches your eye with its own magic. They are the womb of rainbows and give birth to delight and jollity. Who got it right by combining those together creating the ever-enchanting crystal chandelier? We can also get it right by bringing in these qualities to our lives, enriching our environment, enriching ourselves. Well, this is only a thought. In the mystic realms of our unconscious, we create our world. The world is not boxed in any definable way. It is people who add their own personal realities to the world; covering it with their words, their senses. Why not add the reality we want. Taking control of your lighting makes sense from the most fundamental to the downright practical.

Earl Juanico http://www.goldenageusa.com

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Monday, November 26, 2007

A Guide to Crystal Chandeliers

Purchasing a crystal chandelier is similar to buying a diamond. Not all crystal is created equal. Crystal may be machine-cut, hand cut or molded. The cost of your chandelier can fluctuate drastically depending on the quality of crystal you choose. Most fixtures are available in four qualities of crystal.

Lights of Distinction - the Crystorama Lighting Group and James R. Moder are two of the largest manufacturers of Crystal Chandeliers.

Strass Crystal: Strass Crystal is considered the finest in the world. Strass is manufactured by Swarovski AG in the Austrian Alps. Strass is an optically pure crystal, clear as spring water, totally free of flaws, unique in purity and brilliance. Strass crystal is characterized by razor-sharp cutting of facets (surfaces) with the lead content in excess of 30 percent. Cutting and polishing are done by machine to achieve perfect optical clarity. Strass crystals are treated with an invisible coating, which eliminates dust attraction and makes it easier to clean and maintain. Each crystal (over 12mm) has the distinct STRASS® laser engraved signature, identifying it as a genuine STRASS® Crystal .

Swarovski Spectra Crystal: A passion for perfection has made Swarovski the world leader in the production of cut crystal. Swarovski & Co., manufacturer of Strass Crystal, has created a new alternative quality crystal. Swarovski has used advanced technology with olde world knowledge to produce a brilliant crystal with precision cutting and superior light reflection. This crystal type is designed for a crystal connoisseur demanding quality at an affordable price. Imperial Crystal (Available only through James R Moder): Imperial crystal dressed chandeliers contain brilliant crystals created by precision cutting sourced from Austria , Egypt , Turkey and the Czech Republic . The Imperial crystal is a combination of quality crystals to achieve a great look at an excellent price point.

Regal Crystal (James R Moder) / Majestic Wood Polish Crystal (Crystorama): This crystal is cut by hand in two stages on an iron and then a sandstone wheel. Each crystal is then polished on a wood wheel with marble dust. These methods go back centuries. If you look closely you will notice faint traces of the wood-wheel attesting, the concentrated labor of the artisan. This is a mark of authenticity. Each piece is a unique and original masterpiece.

Italian Crystal: Italian crystal also known as Venetian Crystal (from the glass-making regions in and around Venice ) is molded not cut. You will notice a rounding of edges that comes from fire polishing. Molded crystal, though never as brilliant as cut crystal has a subtle charm and is an exceptional value. It is an ideal budget crystal for heavily dressed chandeliers.

A wide selection of beautiful chandeliers can be found at LightingShowplace.com. Call and speak with one of our product specialists to find the right chandelier to suit your home.

Labels: , , , , , ,