A Brief Introduction to Crystal Lighting

Crystal is transparent glass of a high degree of brilliance and optical purity, appreciated for its decorative beauty.

The fire and brilliance of crystal comes from the refraction of light passing through a prism. The same phenomenon, which can cause rainbows.

A piece of crystal is like a diamond in that its value depends on the quality of its material and how it is cut.
The earliest-known crystal chandeliers appeared in the sixteenth century and were dressed with rock crystal (a transparent crystalline form of quartz) of irregular shapes. The idea was to increase and enhance the modest power of candlelight

By the seventeenth century, Baroque-period artisans had become expert at cutting rock crystal for chandeliers. The antique shapes designed at that time are still in use today.

The first chandelier trimmings made of glass rather than rock crystal was manufactured in France in the late seventeenth century. The term "crystal" persisted, even after transparent glass became the preferred material.

Complete crystal chandeliers formed entirely of glass were manufactured originally in Murano, an island just north of Venice. The Venetians guarded their secrets of glassmaking with deadly seriousness, sending assassins after any artisan who escaped from Murano.

Eventually the manufacture of crystal spread to Bohemia, Spain, England and Ireland.

By the nineteenth century, Bohemia – site of the first Schonbek crystal factory – had become the world’s leading producer of fine crystal.

The important issue of quality

The buyer of crystal is at heart a collector and understands the importance of choosing a crystal chandelier of heirloom quality to live with and enjoy.

Types of crystal
Crystal may be machine-cut, hand-cut or molded.

Cutball Crystal	French Pendeloque	Icicle	Kite
Pendeloque	Spear	Swedish Drop

A description of crystal types used by the original Schonbek workshops follows:

Swarovski Strass Crystal
According to most, The finest crystal in the world, Strass is manufactured by Swarovski AG in the Austrian Alps. Clear as spring water, totally free of flaws, unique in purity and brilliance, Strass crystal is characterized by razor-sharp machine-cutting of facets. Lead content is in excess of 30 percent. An invisible coating makes Strass easier to clean.

Swarovski Spectra Crystal
A passion for perfection has made Swarovski the world leader in the production of cut crystal. This Swarovski crystal grade offers a high degree of brilliance and at an attractive price.

Heritage Hand cut Crystal
The methods of producing hand-cut crystal go back centuries. First the crystal is cut by hand in two stages on an iron and then a sandstone wheel. Then each crystal is hand-polished on a wood wheel with marble dust. You may notice faint traces of the wood wheel, a mark of authenticity. This crystal is the  first-quality hand-cut crystal, very expensive and very beautiful.

Hand cut Bohemian Pendelogues
The moulds used to make these classic hand-cut Bohemian crystal pendeloques were in the possession of the Schonbek company (then in Bohemia) over one hundred years ago. Original designs are still copied today.

Coloured Crystal in Jewel Tones
Coloured crystal, which dates back to the sixteenth century, has been re-discovered by twenty-first-century trendsetters. Referred to as coloured crystal Jewel Tones. 
Colour formulas are often closely guarded family secrets handed down from one generation to the next. Original colours are exceptionally luminous and prismatic, and include ruby red, light and dark amethyst, topaz and smoke topaz, olivine, pink, sapphire and black diamond. We try to re-produce and offer the same colours today at affordable prices, for everyone to enjoy.

Venetian Crystal
This crystal comes from the glass-making regions in and around Venice. Venetian crystal is moulded and fire-polished rather than cut, which results in a subtle luminosity rather than brilliance. Interior designers often prefer the antique look of Venetian crystal.

Vintage Crystal
This crystal recalls estate jewellery or perhaps a vintage crystal chandelier found in the attic. Nostalgic shapes include whimsical little beads, dainty droplets and tiny antique-style faceted ovals. Chains upon chains of fanciful beading or jewel-like octagons recall forgotten fashions.

Rock Crystal
Rock crystal is a natural, quartz prized by collectors since ancient times. Wondrous fissures and mists, billions of years in the forming, make each crystal unique in the universe. The raw crystal is mined, not manufactured, It cannot be mass-produced. Skilled gem cutters grind, cut and polish each rock crystal by hand. Polishing one crystal to perfection might take a week. Rock crystal is cool to the touch in any weather.

Finally how to recognise fine crystal
The characteristics that distinguish fine crystal are apparent to the naked eye. Possible imperfections include lack of clarity, bubbles, chips and scratches.
What you want to see is a reassuring absence of flaws, perfect translucence, silky smooth surfaces and prismatic fire.
Please be aware that you will have to pay for such brilliance!

Rock crystal
Rock crystal is judged differently from glass crystal. Inclusions, fissures and constellations are considered a mark of beauty in this natural quartz.
Lead content is not necessarily a guarantee of fine quality. Lead simply acts as a softening agent, making glass easier to cut and polish.

“We hope you have enjoyed this little in sight into Crystal – in brief always search out and buy what you like and are happy to live with - Happy Shopping”