Chandeliers are ornamental or decorative light fixtures that are used for ceiling lighting. Usually, chandeliers are centerpieces in big halls, churches, public galleries, palaces, hotels, mansions, etc. Common residential houses also have cheap chandeliers in the living room, which are simpler versions of the chandeliers, and are not as extravagant as the ones seen in public and commercial buildings. Chandeliers can be lit up with candle lights, incandescent lights and also by energy saving bulbs.
The vintage and traditional type of chandeliers use candle lights or incandescent lights for illuminations and have yellow-tinted illumination, while modern chandeliers have fluorescent or LED light bulbs and give bright white luminescence. Lighting chandeliers with candle lights is not practically possible on an everyday basis, hence, modern chandeliers have electric bulbs that are designed to look like candle lights.
They have been in use since medieval times, i.e., since the sixteenth century, and are believed to have originated from European countries. In ancient days crystals, glasses and ceramics were used to make chandeliers of different sizes and shapes. Chandeliers generally have metal branches, which fit the light holders. The metal branches are highly decorated with art work and stylish designs. The traditional chandeliers have flower, leaf and creeper designs on the metal branches. But, modern chandeliers have classy and trendy art work. The classification of chandeliers is based on the materials that are used to make them. Most of the chandeliers are white in colour because the lighting in chandeliers is by refraction of light through the crystals and glasses used, but, there are also black chandeliers, which are pretty popular because they portray an exotic look. The various types of chandeliers have been discussed below.
Crystal Chandeliers: The most expensive and luxurious chandeliers are made of crystals. They are the most traditional form and manufacturers of these hardly use crystals. This is because a layman prefers cheap and modern chandeliers over the more extravagant ones.
Ceramic Chandeliers: The next most expensive are the ceramic chandeliers, which are made of porcelain. Ceramic chandeliers are mostly manufactured in China and exported all over the world. The Netherlands also have porcelain factories that manufacture ceramic ones.
Glass Chandeliers: The cheapest alternative for crystals is glass, hence, glass is used to make cheap chandeliers. Most of the modern ones have glass shades and domes. By and large, white or yellow coloured glasses are used to make glass ones. But, there are also multi-coloured ones where stained glasses are used.
Metal Chandeliers: These are also comparatively cheaper and can be categorised under cheap chandeliers. Metals like puffed iron, aluminium, steel, brass, and many more are used to make these metal ones.
Black Chandeliers: These are by and large manufactured in China and Czech Republic. They are preferred by people because of the contrast they exhibit with the white lights. They are made of black crystals, glasses and wrought iron and go well with vintage style of settings and interior decorations.