Differences in Crystal Chandeliers

Glass Versus Crystal

• Glass is formed by heating sand to the melting point, forming it into shaped objects and allowing the items to cool and harden. When lead is mixed with sand, the resulting heated material is crystal. The definition of crystal differs among countries as to the quantity of lead needed to transform glass into crystal. Lead helps to soften glass, making it easier to cut and engrave into shaped crystal. A higher lead content can make a crystal chandelier more dazzling, scattering a spectrum of color around the room.

Drop Crystal

• During the 18th century, Louis XIV of France decided he must build the most extraordinary palace in the world for his country, commencing the building of The Palace of Versailles. This palace took more than 20 years to construct and was the largest building in the world. This magnificent structure needed exquisite lighting, thus the drop crystal chandelier was created. France and Europe followed King Louis' lighting design, and the drop crystal chandelier was in vogue. Myriad dangling, multi-faceted, shimmering crystals that are used to create a drop crystal chandelier have made it an enduring favorite.

Lead Content

• In the United States, glass is defined as crystal if the lead content is at least 1 percent. According to European Union rules, glass is defined as crystal when the lead composition is 10 percent or more. Typically, the higher the lead content, the clearer the crystal becomes. However, when the lead content becomes higher than 38 to 40 percent, the crystal begins to become cloudy. Lead is expensive and heavy, resulting in crystal chandeliers with higher lead content being more costly and heavier.

Czech Republic

• The Czech Republic is internationally known for its exquisite crystal chandeliers. Czechs refer to crystal as any high-quality glass; leaded crystal is defined as crystal containing more than 24 percent lead oxide. Czech crystal chandeliers are symbols of good taste and wealth and hang in palaces, castles, parliaments, cathedrals and concert halls all over the world. Crystal chandeliers made in the Czech Republic are called "crystal sun," referring to a sun that never sets.