Renewed Interest: Crystal Light Fixtures for 2012
In 2012, we’re starting to see a resurgence of certain items as people start to reincorporate the “finer things in life” into their homes and their lives. Crystal light fixtures are no exception, as they’re perhaps one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a grand statement in any room. Here’s the low down on what to look for with a crystal light fixture.
What is Crystal, Anyway?
The vast majority of people recognize a single difference between glass and crystal: the amount of lead present. Crystal can have as much as 40 percent lead, though the United States will classify anything with more than 1% lead in it as “crystal.” In Europe, however, the number is higher at a minimum of around 3% lead. Crystal that contains a minimum of 30 percent lead is typically referred to as “leaded crystal.”
Typically, the more lead present in the crystal, the more weight it has and the more easy it is to cut or engrave. This is why crystal is more desirable for certain items, including light fixtures such as chandeliers.
Where Can I Find Crystal Light Fixtures?
Fortunately, crystal is not a hard-to-come-by material. You will find that crystal light fixtures tend to fall into various design categories, such as the contemporary category. However, there are also crystal light fixtures that may be deemed as “traditional,” “romantic,” “classic” and so forth.
That being said, you may find crystal light fixtures at a variety of locations including warehouse stores, home improvement retailers and various home decor stores. However with home decor stores, you will need to find stores that cater to your style in order to find the right crystal light fixtures for your home.
Of course, don’t forget that there are also a plethora of online retailers that carry crystal light fixtures, from table lamps to chandeliers, floor lamps to wall sconces, ceiling lights and so forth. You should be able to find something that suits your tastes, is the right size and hopefully, suits your budget.
How Do I Maintain My New Crystal Light Fixture?
Maintaining a crystal light fixture simply means keeping up on cleaning. To start, shut off electricity to the fixture and allow the bulbs to fully cool.
You can opt to either purchase a special crystal cleansing solution, or you can simply use a mild soap and warm water mixture. Using your chosen cleansing solution, you will want to spray the solution directly onto the crystal. If there is any chance that the solution will enter the socket, then you’ll want to spray it directly onto your clean, lint-free white towel and then use the towel to clean the dirt off the crystal (rather than spraying the solution directly onto the light fixture).
Using your clean towel, clean the fixture thoroughly. You may need multiple towels to fully clean the fixture.
It is recommended that you clean a crystal light fixture twice yearly to prevent excessive dirt, debris and dust build-up from occurring. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Let interiors gleam with the dazzle of crystal and find the perfect light fixture at Arcadian Lighting!
About Kristen Crosby
Kristen is an avid design blogger who loves DIY projects. She gets her inspiration from fashion and music. Connect with Kristen, or find more home decor inspiration from Arcadian Home on Google Plus!
Tags: Crystal, crystal chandeliers, crystal table lamp, crystal wall sconces, how to clean
