The chandelier is perhaps the oldest form of decorative lighting, marking its earliest appearances in medieval churches as suspended wooden crosses from which candles were mounted. As time went on, it was discovered that natural rock crystal helped reflect candlelight to illuminate larger areas. As crystal became more commonly used to ornament light sources, chandeliers evolved from functional to aesthetic, and eventually became symbols of wealth and power. (Of course, today’s crystal lighting fixtures are available in a variety of price ranges so anyone can enjoy the beauty and elegance that crystal brings to the home.)

The development of lead oxide glass in the 17th century changed chandeliers and crystal dressed lighting fixtures forever, as it was found much softer and easier to cut than natural crystal – and much more brilliant. The word ‘crystal’ is still used in association with lead glass to this day. This new innovation allowed for more intricate designs and enhanced the light-scattering properties of the ‘crystal,’ encouraging artisans the world over to create the magnificent and varied styles of crystal lighting we see today.Crystal Grades

Strass® Swarovski Crystal (View)
Regarded by industry leaders as the finest crystal in the world, Strass® is noted for its incredible clarity and internal flawlessness. Strass® crystals are composed of over 30% lead and are cut by machine to achieve technical perfection; their razor sharp facets meet precisely at one focal point to achieve peak refraction and an optically pure prism. Each crystal is then polished by hand, given an optical coating to resist dust accumulation, and finally laser inscribed, giving each piece the Strass® mark of excellence.

Swarovski Spectra® Crystal (View)
Manufactured in the Austrian Alps through the same process as the Strass® crystal, but without the optical coating. Spectra® offers both design appeal and quality for the crystal connoisseur looking for a great value.

Majestic Wood Polished Crystal (View)
Wood polishing creates a high quality finish for cut crystal. This centuries old method involves running freshly cut facets on a wood wheel impregnated with marble dust, producing a high quality polish that is the mark of true artisan ability. Each wood polished crystal piece is finished by hand, creating masterpieces through tradition.

Italian Crystal (View)
Hailing from the renowned glass-making regions around Venice, Italian crystal is formed with molds rather than precision cutting. The crystal is finished by fire-polishing or hydro-flouric acid, resulting in a distinct rounding of the edges. Although not as brilliant as cut crystal, molded crystals provide exceptional value and are a great alternative for large-scale or commercial lighting fixture applications.

Murano Crystal (View)
Murano crystal is mouth-blown to create a variety of shapes and sizes. Each piece is a truly unique work of art, and can be colored for added drama, creating a stunning focal point perfect for dining rooms or entry foyers.

Czech Crystal (View)
Each Czech crystal is created through an old world process of hand pouring into a mold, hand-cutting to achieve precision facets, and hand-polishing. The Czech method produces a variety of shapes and cuts that are unique to the Czech style, with a refinement and brilliance not seen elsewhere.

Egyptian Crystal (Gemcut) (View)
Offering unmatched brilliance due to extremely high lead content, Egyptian (or Gemcut) crystal produces a high quality crystal with extreme clarity, sharpness, and is nearly flawless. While Egyptian crystal is a leader in brilliance, it is not as optically pure as the crystals produced by the Strass® or Swarovski methods.

Rock Crystal (View)
Unlike the entirely man-made lead glass crystal, rock crystal is a natural mineral which cannot be produced by any methods other than millions of years of geological activity. It is mined and cut as it is found, with each rock containing tiny inclusions, fissures, and crystalline explosions which make no two pieces alike. Rock crystal is a rare clear quartz, and due to its natural complexity it must be hand-cut and polished through incredibly difficult artisan processes. Rock crystal is only found in remote areas of the earth, which makes the process of mining, hand-cutting, and hand-polishing even more remarkable.

Go beyond the dining room and discover ways to incorporate the beauty of crystal in all areas of your home. LightingUniverse.com offers a wide selection of crystal chandeliers, crystal wall sconces, crystal pendants, crystal table lamps and more. To coordinate entire spaces be sure to visit KnobsandHardware.com for crystal cabinet knobs, and DecorUniverse.com for crystal accent items.