Chandeliers can be expensive, but they bring beauty to a home. They’re a universally respected status symbol, chosen by youth and the elderly alike. Young homeowners with money to spare, sometimes look to a chandelier to symbolize their graduation into adulthood. Older homeowners treat them as a gift to themselves, often for accomplishing career goals or for reaching retirement. The chandelier in modern times is a versatile decoration, with mass appeal.
What Are the Components of a Chandelier?
Simply put, a chandelier is a decretive lamp. Their main purpose is to illuminate a room, while intricate design and grandeur fall as secondary aspects. Besides light fixtures, chandeliers consist of a chain for suspending from the ceiling, optional light fixture covers, the main structural frame, and crystals. All components are customizable, but the chandeliers crystal parts are the most important. The crystals refract light, providing the spectacular shimmering effect commonly associated with the ornate lights. Through buying different crystals, a chandelier owner can manipulate the light refraction to his or her liking.
Choosing the Crystals
The first step in choosing replacement crystals is to determine the grade of crystal you’d like to purchase. A crystal’s quality is graded by determining its’ lead oxide content. The lowest grade, crystalline, is glass with six to ten lead oxide content. The mid-grade glass, called half lead, must contain twenty four to thirty percent lead oxide. Top grade glass, or full lead glass, constitutes a lead oxide content of over thirty percent. Higher amounts of lead oxide equate to more light refraction, making higher-grade crystals more adept at producing the telltale shimmer. Many different crystal types exist, with Strass, Turkish, and Egyptian being three of the leading varieties. Before purchasing, it is important make note of your current crystal sizes, as some chandeliers may only fit up to a certain width.
