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Crystal Chandelier Guide: Tips for Buying and Maintaining Crystal Chandeliers

Choosing a crystal chandelier can be a difficult decision. There are many factors to consider such as chandelier size, types of crystals,and color options. And even when you find the perfect one, how do you maintain your chandelier? The experts at We Got Lites created this thorough Guide to Crystal Chandeliers to provide you with advice on how to choose the right chandelier for your home as well as tips on how to clean and maintain your chandelier.

Crystal Chandelier in a Room

Types of Chandelier Crystals

How to Choose the Right Chandelier Size and Height

How to Clean and Maintain Your Crystal Chandelier

Chandelier Crystals

Types of Chandelier Crystals

When choosing your chandelier, one of the many decisions you have to make is what crystal glass you want. With the different kinds of crystal glass and its wide range in style and cut, this decision can be fairly difficult. We listed several of the most popular kinds of crystal glass to make it easier for you to decide on which one appeals to your style the most.

Swarovski Spectra Crystal

SWAROVSKI SPECTRA CRYSTAL

A passion for perfection has made Swarovski the world leader in the production of cut crystal. Swarovski & CO., manufacturer of Swarovski Elements has created a new alternative quality crystal. Swarovski has used advanced technology with old world knowledge to produce a brilliant crystal with precision cutting and superior light reflection. This crystal type is designed for a crystal connoisseur demanding quality at an affordable price. Machine cut and polished, they feature clarity and refractive properties that closely resemble Elements (Strass) Crystal.

Swarovski Elements Crystal

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS CRYSTAL

Considered the finest crystal in the world. Optically pure, free of flaws and unique in purity. An exercise in technical perfection, Swarovski ELEMENTS crystal meets all standards of perfection. It is original, flawless and brilliant, possessing lead oxide in excess of 33%. Made in Austria, each facet is perfectly cut and polished by a special machinery to maintain optical purity and consistency. An invisible coating is applied at the end of the process to make the crystal easier to clean. While available in clear, it can be specially ordered in a variety of brilliant colors.

Swarovski Elements Silver Shade

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS SILVER SHADE

Fashion is the inspiration for this new silver shaded crystal, The subtle, faintly iridescent color is the new highly anticipated chic colored crystal. From traditional to contemporary, the mirrored like tones that coat the Silver Shade Swarovski Elements crystal helps these collections coordinate with any decor. The Silver Shade crystal carries the Swarovski Elements emblem which guarantees the optical pure quality.

Swarovski Elements Golden Teak
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SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS GOLDENTEAK

Swarovski Elements Golden Teak crystal is color coated to give warmth and elegance. Every piece carries the Swarovski Elements signature. This guarantees the optical purity, quality and true value found only in Swarovski Elements. The classic Golden Teak color will inspire any interior with its rich deep color. 

Murano Crystal

MURANO CRYSTAL

Murano Crystals are smooth, hand blown crystal balls or beads, usually found on contemporary designs, such as the Joshua Marshal Drops of Rain Design (available with Murano Crystal beads & spheres or in conjunction with European or Swarovski Crystals). These crystals have no facets and are completely smooth round spheres. Designed for that air-bubble or water droplet effect, Murano Crystal gives off no light reflection.

Chandelier Sizes Banner

How to Choose the Right Chandelier Size and Height

Diameter of Your Chandelier

If the room is largely empty, like a hallway or foyer, determine the proper diameter of the chandelier by adding together the length and width of the room in feet. The resulting number (when switched to inches) will provide a helpful guide for picking out the correct diameter of your chandelier. For example, if a room is 10 by 12 feet, the proper diameter for a chandelier in this space would be 22 inches.

If the chandelier will be set over a table, the proper diameter should be ½ to ¾ the width of the table, leaving about 12 inches of the table hanging over the chandelier on all sides.

Chandelier Size Chart

How High Should Your Chandelier Hang?

Whether you’re using one or two chandeliers, a common rule is to be sure that they hang about 30-32 inches above the dining table. If you’re looking for a chandelier for an open room such as living room or bedroom, hallway, or entryway, the light should be at least 7 feet above the floor. If you have a two-story foyer, the light should hang above the second story floor.

Chandelier Height Chart

Chandelier Cleaning Banner

How to Clean and Maintain Your Crystal Chandelier

It is highly recommended that a chandelier be cleaned ever two to six months. Routine cleaning is necessary to maintain your chandelier's sparkle and beauty. There are two main methods of cleaning chandeliers: The Dry method and The Wet Method.

THE DRY METHOD

The dry method is usually the more preferable cleaning method for chandeliers because it is the easier option. All you need is a cloth and glass cleaner. Working from top to bottom, inside to outside, spray some product onto the cloth and carefully wipe down each piece of glass, without getting any on the metal. Afterwards, use a clean cloth to polish the freshly cleaned glass.

THE WET METHOD

The wet method requires you to disassemble your chandelier. A useful tip is to take a few pictures of the chandelier in advance to assist with reassembling. You can find additional in depth information on how to disassemble your chandelier in our Tips on How to Clean and Care for Your Crystal Chandelier.

After disassembling your chandelier, you can rinse your glass with hot water in a colander. You can use a small amount of detergent as well, but try to avoid using any harsh cleaning chemicals, and do not touch the metals with any chemicals. Metal pieces can simply be cleaned with polishing cloth.

After allowing your pieces to completely air dry, use gloves to reassemble your chandelier starting from the inside out.

Additional Information

If you still need further help, be sure to check out these other helpful articles about chandeliers:

How to Choose the Right Chandelier Size

How to Install A Chandelier

How to Clean and Care For Your Crystal Chandelier

Our friendly and knowledgeable lighting experts will also gladly answer any other questions you may have and can even do a lighting search just for you and your needs. Call us today, Toll Free at 1-866-415-4837.

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