Ceiling Cut Glass Chandeliers
Advances in glass making technology in the early eighteen century led to the widespread production of cut-glass and lead crystal chandeliers. Glittering crystal chandeliers do not necessarily require the formal setting of grand reception rooms as crystal chandeliers can be just as much at home in an uncluttered contemporary interior. If you would like to know the difference between crystal and glass please see the information below the products.
- Sale
- 54% OFF
Elstead Mignon 8 Light Chandelier - Crystal Teardrop Droplets
£290.00
Elegant Chrome Classic Cut Glass Ceiling Light - G9 Mains Lamps
£66.20
3 Light Gold & Cream Chandelier with Flower Details
£186.00
Crystal Glass Chandeliers - Designed to be Safe for Bathrooms
3 Options£193.00
Large Ornate Acrylic & Chrome Chandelier - 8 or 12 Light
2 Options£269.00
Gold and Cream Pretty 5 Arm Chandelier with Flower Details
£295.00
Vintage Style Boudoir Crystal Chandeliers in Aged Silver - 3 or 5 Arm
2 Options£374.90
Crystal Drum Pendant - Embellished with Crystal Droplets on Wire Hanging
£507.00
Crystal Elegance: 8-Arm Chandelier with Chrome Detailing and Sparkling Droplets
£553.00
Outdoor Rated Woven Ribbon Sphere Pendant - Two Sizes
2 Options£555.00
Grandeur Illuminated: Oversized 88cm 15-Arm Crystal Chandelier in Gold and Matte Black
£636.00
Deco Cascade Light Pendant - Antique Silver Paint and Hand Decorated Glass
£683.80
Cut Crystal Scrolled and Curled 10 Arm Chandelier - Chrome or Gold
2 Options£963.00
Cut Crystal Chandeliers
Confused as to the difference between crystal and glass? Crystal has a lead content of at least 24% whereas glass has no lead. Very fine quality crystal will contain anywhere from 36% to 70%. Higher lead content increases clarity, brilliance and weight however lead crystal is soft and more susceptible to scratching.
So, the difference between glass and crystal is the lead content and glass contains little or no lead. Glass will usually have softer edges than crystal.
Whether a product is labelled as crystal or glass (or sometimes cut glass) differs from country to country. In the Western world crystal usually indicates the presence of lead with a content of at least 24%. Lights containing 10% of lead oxide can be labelled as crystal and products containing more than 30% of lead oxide are labelled as "high-lead crystal".
In the Czech Republic, the term "crystal" is used for any exquisite, high quality glass. Therefore "leaded crystal" means that the crystal contains more than 24% of lead oxide.
The presence of lead softens the glass and makes it more suitable for cutting and engraving. Lead increases the weight of the glass and causes the glass to refract light. If crystal contains less than 24% of lead, it has a higher proportion of barium oxide which ensures that the light refracts well.
A crystal chandelier will cast a high spectrum of colours around the room and if its content of lead is higher the chandelier will provide even more sparkle.
Acrylic Crystal Beads
Acrylic is a useful, clear plastic that resembles glass, but has properties that make it superior to glass in many ways. It’s lighter making it less easy to break or shatter.
Acrylic may have a transparency rate of 93% making it the clearest material known. Very thick glass will have a green tint, while acrylic remains clear.
There are some misconceptions about acrylic, namely that it yellows, turns brittle and cracks over time. Though this might be true of very cheap forms of plastic, it is not so with acrylic. Some people worry that acrylic scratches too easily, but unlike glass, scratches can be easily buffed out of acrylic.