Chandeliers have distinct qualities that could make rooms appear vibrant and classy. Since they are commonly hooked up on ceilings, they can easily catch the attention and interest of visitors. 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, those that are made from crystal pieces remain as the most popular chandeliers among many homeowners.

A crystal is a clear, transparent mineral that aesthetically resembles an ice and is known for its high degree of brilliance and optical purity. The brilliant quality of this mineral is produced from the refraction of light that passes through its prism, which is a similar phenomenon that produce rainbows. Because of its aesthetic appeal, crystal pieces have long been used since ancient times until today as decorative items like jewelries and contemporary chandeliers. It is also widely known for its healing capabilities.

The earliest known crystal chandeliers were used during 16th century and were accented with rock crystal pieces that are irregular in shape. In 17th century Baroque period, crystal artisans perfected the craft of cutting rock crystal pieces for chandeliers, and on the near end of this century in France the first crystal glass chandeliers were developed. 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.

Crystal pieces utilized for contemporary chandeliers may either be hand 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. Written below are the crystal types used for chandeliers and their descriptions.

First in the list is the Strass Swarovski crystal manufactured in the Austrian Alps, which is said the be the world's finest crystal and is popular for its brilliant and flawless characteristics. Crystal chandeliers constructed from these gemstones may come as plain or with differing colors, and could cost an arm and a leg. Meanwhile, heritage hand cut crystal pieces, as their name suggests, are hand-made by craftsmen through two cutting processes""iron and stone wheeling. After the crystal has been iron and sandstone wheeled, it is then hand-polished through the help of a wood-wheel sprinkled with marble dust, which in turn leaves traces of wood wheel to the stone that actually serves as the gem's mark of authenticity.

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 raw crystal pieces are skillfully hand cut, grind, and polished by gem cutters, usually taking a week or two for each piece. 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. Overall, crystal chandeliers, regardless of the crystal types used, are elegant and highly functional ceiling furnishings that could leave great aesthetic impressions among visitors and homeowners.