The crowning jewel of interior lighting
Crystal chandeliers are the crowning jewels of lighting that make an incredible statement in residential and hospitality spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, foyers, bedrooms, home entryways and hotel lobbies. The timeless beauty and irresistible sparkle of crystal chandeliers never fail to fascinate and delight. These gorgeous centerpieces impart brilliance, elegance and glamour to every space they illuminate. Their shimmering crystals and sculptural qualities continue to add aesthetic value to an interior long after the lights are switched off. Whether you’re polishing a sleek modern space or celebrating the nobility of the traditional flourish, crystal chandeliers work wonders to capture attention in a way that many other light fixtures can’t.
Crystal composition
No ornamental elements can embellish a light fixture more attractively and captivatingly than crystals. All chandelier crystals are made of glass. These stunning accent pieces are formed as an amalgamation of glass and lead. The presence of lead oxide gives glass an improved look through increasing the refractive index, optical clarity, and density of the glass. The more lead oxide there is in the crystal, the better it refracts light into prismatic sparkles. Glass containing a minimum of 30% lead oxide is regarded as the finest refractive crystal. In general, any glass containing a minimum of 24% lead oxide can be called “crystal”. Glass products which contain less than 24% lead oxide or other metal oxides other than lead oxide is classified as crystal glass.
Optical and visual characteristics of chandelier crystals
The optical and visual characteristics of crystals are not solely determined by their compositions. The purity of raw materials and the absolute precision of the cutting, grinding and polishing processes also affect the brilliance and color depth of crystals. Crystals for chandeliers are typically crafted using the machine cut method. Machine cut crystals exhibit sharp facets, high visual purity, and no noticeable trace of polishing within the facets. Swarovski Crystal, famous for its ability to draw out diamond-like brilliance and unique color spectrum, is machine cut and considered the finest chandelier crystal available. Egyptian, Gemcut or Spectra crystals are also machine cut. They’re made with 24%-30% lead oxide, which lends high optical clarity and excellent refraction of light to the crystals. However, they’re not as optically pure and brilliant as Swarovski crystals. The K9 crystal glass is lead free, but it can be mass-produced and machine cut and polished to look like lead crystal. Relatively low manufacturing cost and a high refractive index makes K9 crystal a great choice for value-minded consumers. Chandeliers can also be constructed used hand cut and hand-blown crystals including Czech, Heritage, Regal, Turkish, Venetian and Murano.
A showpiece of stylish glamour, decorative sentiment and material beauty
Crystal chandeliers come in a staggering range of styles and designs, which presents plenty of scope for creativity. Traditional crystal chandeliers recall a vintage European aesthetic with ornate scroll work, curvy design elements, antique and rustic finishes. The scrolling metal structure may extend out in tiers and is ornamented with many crystal teardrops. Scroll arms are embellished with many crystal teardrops. Transitional crystal chandeliers draw upon the traditional design and translate it into a more streamlined modern detailing. These fixtures walk the line between traditional and contemporary to evoke a clean and serene atmosphere. Modern crystal chandeliers feature clean lines, clean lines, simplicity, and functionality. They may carry a futuristic styling but more often contain design elements of their more traditional brethren. Contemporary crystal chandeliers can take a visually clean geometric look or dynamic design that embraces a wide variety of current trends. From a dazzling crystal confection to minimalist sculptural beauty to a space-age look, contemporary crystal chandeliers offer an ever-expanding array of fixture designs that bring a sense of sophistication, fluidity and fashion to interior spaces.
Technology transformation
The chandelier has evolved over the centuries to take on a vast variety of new designs, but equally breathtaking is the progress in lighting technology used by the light fixture. Crystal chandeliers are ubiquitously lamp-based fixtures that take advantage of light bulbs to complete the fixture aesthetic while creating radiance and sparkle. The classic ambiance of incandescent candelabra lamps and G9 halogen bulbs adds charm and character to crystal chandeliers.
Tungsten filament bulbs had been the sole choice of light source for crystal chandeliers until solid state lighting based on LED technology took the stage. Retrofit LED lamps that follow the base and form factor designations of their incandescent equivalents allow chandeliers to be upgraded to LED technology effortlessly. They provide significantly energy savings and a much longer service life. LED bulbs that use linear filament packages can even replicate the lighting effects of tungsten filament bulbs, allowing crystal chandeliers to continue delivering the warm ambiance and vintage look that we’ve all fallen in love with.
LED chandelier bulbs are available to run off a 10V, 12V or 24V low voltage power supply or operate on a line voltage. The technical challenge with LED chandeliers is to design a power supply that provides excellent compatibility with existing dimmers and produces tightly controlled, low ripple output for flicker-free lighting.
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