Learning A Thing Or Two About Crystals
June 7, 2008
Shopping for crystal chandeliers can be likened to the act of purchasing a diamond. For that reason, novice shoppers—such as yourself—need to keep in mind that not all crystals are one and the same. Depending on the preference of the company that produces them, crystals may be molded, hand-cut or machine-cut.
Another important thing to remember is the variable costs of crystal chandeliers. The price tags may drastically fluctuate based on the characteristic of the crystal you pick out. When shopping for such lighting fixtures, you have to bear in mind that the crystals are usually available in four different qualities.
Swarovski Spectra Crystal
A passion for excellence has undeniably made Swarovski & Co. the top producer of cut crystal the world over. In point of fact, they have given rise to a new-fangled choice of quality crystal used today in numerous crystal chandeliers on the market. They have also combined the use of sophisticated technology and old-fashioned wisdom in the production of brilliant-looking crystals with precision cuts and exceptional light reflection.
The Swarovski crystal is absolutely designed for a crystal aficionado who demands quality at a reasonable price. Crystal chandeliers made out of Swarovski crystals unquestionably function as wonderful centerpieces in any room in the house.
Strass Crystal
Strass Crystals are regarded as the world’s most excellent crystals. The same company that creates Swarovski crystals manufactures these exquisite sparklers. In essence, a Strass crystal is an optically untainted crystal that could be likened to the clearest spring water. It is utterly free from any blemishes or imperfections. In other words, it is unquestionably unique in its clarity and luster.
Strass crystals naturally feature razor-sharp edges with a lead substance that is greater than 30 percent. State-of-the-art machines that are designed to attain flawless optical transparency meticulously do the cutting and refining. On top of that, the crystals are normally treated with an imperceptible coating that reduces attraction to dust and allows for easier maintenance. Plus, each piece also bears the distinctive laser-etched signature, which identifies it as an authentic Strass crystal.
Italian Crystal
Italian—a.k.a. Venetian—crystals are molded rather than cut. More often than not, you will perceive rounded edges that resulted from the use of the fire polishing method. Although molded crystals are never as sparkling as cut crystals, they certainly possess a delicate allure and an outstanding value. This variety is, without a doubt, an idyllic budget-priced component for heavily decked out crystal chandeliers.
Majestic Wood Polish / Regal Crystal
This type of crystals that are used to adorn crystal chandeliers are hand-cut in two distinct stages. The first cut is carried out with the use of iron, while the second cut is done with a sandstone wheel. Every piece is then buffed up on a wooden wheel with limestone dust. These methods are actually centuries old. Also, if you examine each crystal, you will observe faint residues of the wood-wheel bearing out the resolute effort of the artisan. This is undeniably a sign of authenticity, which makes each piece of crystal a unique work of art.
Vanessa Arellano Doctor
Choosing Crystal Chandelier for Your Dining
June 6, 2008
Chandelier is one of the accessories that can add beauty to the interior of the house. It will bring elegance and appeal to your house, it will also add sparks and to a room and more permanent than lamps that can move around. But of course for the chandelier can add beauty and will work well by properly positioning the chandelier.
There are a lot of things you need to consider before choosing a chandelier. First thing to consider is the size. Size of the chandelier and the size of the room should be proportion. If you put a small chandelier in a big room the chandelier will just look isolated. And if you put a big chandelier on a small room, the room will then look crowded. So before you choose chandelier you should select the chandeliers the will fir you room.
You need to be creative in searching for crystal chandelier that will add beauty and spark on a room. You should be careful in choosing the right chandelier because there is a lot of variety to choose from. Crystal chandeliers styles are complicated, large, modern, and authentic. It can also bring some sentimental scents and value to a home.
When you are trying to choose crystal chandelier for your dining room, proportionality of the room and the chandelier is very important. You should measure the length and width of a dining table and if your dining table is circular measure the diameter. Measurements are very important to know if a certain chandelier can fit your dining area. Chandelier diameter should be twelve inches shorter than the dining table’s width.
Before installing the chandelier you should check the electric box that will support the new light of your chandelier. We all know that chandelier has a lot of lights and bulbs. Make sure that your electric box can support and supply enough wattage on each lamp or lights on the chandelier. If electric box can support the chandelier it will cause electrical overload and can cause fire.
History of Crystal Chandeliers
February 8, 2008
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
Discover the Enchanting World of Crystal Chandeliers
February 8, 2008
Charm is inherent in each and every piece of crystal. For many centuries, crystals have always been an awe-inspiring piece of art. Would you believe that they possess therapeutic values as people heal themselves with crystals? If you are to gaze upon a clear or colored crystal, your eyes will be caught by its magic. You cannot help but wonder at how it gives you delight and joy. Doesn’t joy lessen the tension of your tired body at the end of a stressful day at work?
Wouldn’t it be right to bring such joy to our daily lives by enriching our environment with the ever-enchanting crystal chandeliers?
I may be in wishful thinking mode as I write this article. I may be too idealistic. In reality, people are the ones who create the world we live in. It is us who dictate our own personal realities to the world. So why not enhance the reality we need.
You must take control of our lighting fundamentals. Choose the style of crystal chandeliers to light your home, a style to suit your own taste. The modern day influence on the designs of crystal chandelier is prevalent on the recent editions of chandeliers. The present designs provide a sense of modernity to one’s interior decoration emphasizing the owner’s sense of appreciation. You can have an array of modern day crystal chandeliers which are made of two or more materials like metals painted with chrome, silver, gold, or bronze and are combined with glass materials enhanced with stylish lighting elements or candle holders within it. The arts and craftsmanship are results of advanced tools and equipment available nowadays.
Crystal chandelier market has received a lot of boosting that is why people can make use of this piece of arts to enhance their somewhat humble homes and make it look like a mansion of their dreams. Chandelier can easily control the motif of the interior decoration of a simple-looking house.
Chandelier designs can be custom-made based on a customer’s personal choice as this is one way of exploring his own designing skills and displaying his own brand of art. Most manufacturers and sellers observed that buyers prefer crystal chandelier because of its “flashing elegance and beauty, reflecting any lights that might come upon it.”
Crystal chandeliers come in an array of selection which could fit to an individual’s taste and personality. There are people who still go for the Victorian or Renaissance type. If you the type of person who cannot decide which you really want, you can always consult professional interior designers. Normally, manufacturers or sellers can give you bits and pieces of advice as to the kind of chandelier would fit to your home. Oftentimes, consultations and estimations are given free of charge.
Lighten up your life, enrich it and indulge your senses with the dazzling beauty of the ever enchanting world of crystal chandeliers.
Ma. Roma C. Agsalud
GoldenAgeUSA
