Glass is a very common thing; it is used as tumblers, looking mirrors, in lighting fixtures, bottles, cars and any other place that you can think of. Nobody thinks too much of glass except that it is a little dangerous because you can easily cut yourself on it. When you say crystal however it is different. Crystal is expensive, and is almost diamond like in its brilliance. People even wear crystal jewelry.
Did you know that the only difference between ordinary glass and crystal is the amount of lead in it. Ordinary glass has very little lead in it although it may have other impurities which may lead to distortions in the glass. Crystal on the other hand has a high amount of lead; a minimum of 24% although there are manufacturers who add more than 30%. The lead makes the glass softer but also increases the refractive index of the glass so that it does not so much reflect light as glitter in light. They can be polished to a high degree of finish and are usually made to exacting standards so that there is no warp or distortion in them. Other minerals are added to give it a color and adding Iron, Copper or Manganese will give them the color black.
Black has traditionally been associated with darkness and evil. Dracula is clothed in black and red and most villains are usually in black. This is because black was supposed to help you disappear in darkness. The fact that all this is only in the mind is proved by the fact the Special Forces in the military almost never use black, preferring other colors, although black is used to break up the pattern of their faces and bodies; sort of like a Zebra’s stripes. Black is very useful for this and lately has started being used in home décor to delineate and break up a pattern that may look really nice but too boring because there is too much of it. Using a black crystal chandelier is probably the most effective at this. Far from being the cobwebby thing that gives you a suffocating feeling, black can be very effective in highlighting something in your room especially if it is a light source like a chandelier.
If you want black don’t go for the cut glass ones; they will ruin the effect. Go instead for the crystal ones because they glitter while still being black. They are also not as jet black as glass and tend to have a softer quality that actually looks really nice; you have to see one to know what I mean. If you have a large hall you would have gone to great lengths to make it look really nice and finally will realize that you have too much of a good thing. Instead of taking something away just put in a black crystal chandelier; it will break up the monotony and if you choose a simple yet elegant design will actually enhance the look you were trying to achieve. Think of a beautiful woman who wears simple yet elegant jewelry which does not detract from her beauty but instead highlights and enhances her features; the black chandelier will do the same thing for your home.
The crystal chandeliers are a mite more expensive than the ordinary cut glass ones, but it is better to go for a simple crystal one rather than an elaborate cut glass one. The quality of the crystal will always come through and who says that simple is not beautiful. Look them up online to see the different ones or go to your nearest lighting store and take a look at them; the simpler ones are probably more beautiful than the more elaborate ones because it doesn’t project its character too much, having just enough to enhance the look of your home and not more.