Different Types Of Crystal Chandeliers

The one way to make sure your whole room comes to live in a totally new way is to install a crystal chandelier. Crystal chandeliers have gotten extremely popular since they were originally used all the way back in the castles and ballrooms of the middle ages in Europe, with the new designs and all the new technology available these lights really are an ideal lighting solution for any home.

There are many types of crystal chandeliers, the one you end up choosing will be dependant on your homes style and what you are trying to create. These days there are crystal chandeliers made to suit ever room in your home, that includes the kitchen and bathroom. Think about the following types of crystal chandeliers before go out shopping.

One of the most well know lights is the contemporary crystal chandelier. The stones they use in these chandeliers will be cut along straight and simple lines and they will normally use clear crystal. By doing this a simple and effecting effect is achieved, but it still remains appealing, it is just like having an ice sculpture hanging from your ceiling. In more regal settings the stones are cut into different shapes in an effort to take advantage of the crystals refractive capabilities, not only that but they also embed the crystals in to the light frame as well as hanging them. This helps to increase the number of refractions and makes it look like there is a light show going on in your home.

You can also get many types of crystal chandeliers made from other materials. Wood is pretty popular, so too is wrought iron. If you want to go for a rustic feel you can get crystal chandeliers made from a local timber. The best place for you to go and not only have a look at crystal chandeliers but also learn about them is at a local lighting store. You could go to your local home improvement store, they will stock many types of crystal chandeliers, but they will also be able to offer you sound advice on installing your new light as well.

Chandeliers: A History

Chandeliers have been around for nearly a thousand years. Of course when someone thinks of a chandelier they think of an electric mult-tiered light fixture dripping with crystals. Early chandeliers looked nothing like the ones that are famous today, such as the 4.5 ton Bohemian Crystal chandelier that is hanging in the Dolmabahçe Palace in Turkey. Early chandeliers were rather crude compared to latter day developments in the forms of chandeliers. They were simple wooden crosses with candles fixed by spikes. The chandelier would then be suspended on a rope or chain from a hook.

The Ceremonial Hall

Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey

Chandeliers with the ringed circular design were developed in the 1400′s. Metal, gilded wood chandelier forms and the more embellished crystal chandeliers were developed in the 1700′s because of the innovations in glass making. Chandeliers were usually found in homes of the nobility and royal palaces. They were a symbol of status since night time lighting was expensive.
As technology improved chandelier makers adapted to the changes and upgraded the capabilities of the chandelier to use gas instead of candles. With the introduction of electrical lighting and the incandescent bulb the chandelier seemed like a traditional mode of lighting that was better left in the past.

The chandelier though because of its undeniable beauty and elegance has never gone out of style. Even older chandeliers such as the one in the Dolmabahçe Palace have been converted from gas to electric so that they can remain functional. The chandelier is very versatile. There are many styles of chandeliers today. Any family can have one as a decorative focal point in their dining room, entry way, or bedroom. Chandelier come in all shapes and sizes. One could even find an old chandelier from a thrift store for little or nothing and revamp it by spray painting it and changing the hardware. Older, antique chandeliers that ran on gas are very tricky to convert and would take a trained electrician to do the job.

Creative Commons License photo credit: hydro-xy