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Chandeliers can instantly make any living space appear more vibrant and elegant. Since they are commonly hooked up on ceilings, they can easily catch the attention and interest of visitors. Chandeliers of today can now be made from a variety of materials such as deer antlers, metals like brass and wrought iron chandeliers, plastic and even precious gemstones. However, chandeliers made from crystal pieces remain as one of the most popular ceiling accents.

A crystal is a transparent mineral that looks like ice and is acknowledged for its extreme brilliance and optical purity. The brilliant characteristic of such gemstone comes from the refraction of light that passes through a prism--the same phenomenon that causes rainbow formation. Due to its impressive aesthetic quality, crystal pieces have been consistently used throughout history as decorative items ranging from jewelries to contemporary chandeliers. It has also been used for healing and promotion of overall wellness.

The earliest recorded crystal chandeliers were utilized in the 16th century and were made from rock crystal pieces. A century after, which is considered as the Baroque period, craftsmen were able to perfect cutting rock crystal pieces used for chandeliers, and around that same time the first crystal glass chandeliers were created in France. 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 used for contemporary chandeliers could either be hand-cut, machine-cut or hand-molded depending on the type of crystal being used. If you are going to purchase chandeliers made from crystal, it is important for you to know the crystal options you have. This way, it would be easier for you to secure the ones that would definitely suit your rooms' interior designs. Written below are the crystal types used for chandeliers and their descriptions.

First in line is the Strass Swarovski crystal from the Austrian Alps which is regarded as the most finest form of crystal and is known for its flawless quality. Crystal chandeliers made from these pieces could either be plain or in fashion colors and are a bit pricey compared to other chandeliers. Heritage hand cut crystal pieces on the other hand, are hand-crafted by artisans using two cutting stages""iron and sandstone wheeling. After the said processes, the crystal is then hand-polished using a wood-wheel sprinkled with marble dust, leaving faint traces of wood wheeling which serves as a mark of authenticity of such crystal.

Rock crystal pieces are natural quartz that have been used since ancient periods, and are known for their formational process that takes millions of years, which in turn gives them their 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. On the other hand, legacy crystal pieces are manufactured from Venice and are polished through fire instead of cutting which adds to the gems' luminosity and brilliance, while vintage pieces are the ones that appear like antique jewelries accentuated with beads and other precious stones. 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.

Contemporary chandeliers are certainly good decorative pieces due to their ability to draw visual interest. Today, chandeliers may come in a whole range of styles and finishes that could complement any space. Among the most preferred are crystal chandeliers, which may be made from pieces like Swarovski crystal, legacy crystal and rock crystal among other. Wrought iron chandeliers are also popular due to their classic finish and Victorian touch.