Cut Glass Vs. Crystal Chandeliers

Refraction

• According to Snell's Law of Refraction, both glass and lead crystal refract light, the former at approximately 1.5 and the latter at 2.0; diamonds refract light at 2.5. Consequently, a cut crystal chandelier will give more colorful play than a cut glass one. The way the glass is cut, the shape of its prism, also affects the sparkle and colors produced.

Differences in Composition

• Glass is made from 72 percent silica (very fine white sand), 13 percent sodium oxide from soda ash, 11 percent calcium oxide from limestone, and about 4 percent minor ingredients. Crystal or lead glass is made of the same composition except the calcium oxide and sometimes part of the silica is replaced with a minimum of 20 percent, but not more than 33 percent, lead oxide. Both recipes call for their mixtures to be heated to 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Properites of Glass vs. Crystal

• Commercial glass is relatively inexpensive, strong, easy to melt and to shape. It's also somewhat resistant to extreme changes in temperature. Crystal, or soda-lead glass, is also easy to melt and shape, but it is more sensitive to heat and cold. In addition to its high refractive qualities, crystal has more clarity and a deep tonal aspect not found in regular glass, and it's more expensive .

Cost Differences

• Today's cut glass chandeliers, often referred to as "brilliant" after the "Brilliant Period" of cut glass produced by Libbey Glass in early 20th century America, cost about one-fifth to one-third of the cost of a crystal chandelier ($300 to $700). Crystal ones, mostly produced by foreign companies, such as Baccarat, Cristal d'Arques, Lalique, Orrefors, Swarovski and Waterford, cost upwards from $1,200. To replace just one hand-cut crystal prism costs more than $5.