Crystal chandeliers · a technical guide
The word “crystal” on its own says nothing. Precisely cut lead crystal containing 30% lead oxide and press-moulded acrylic are both sold under the same name. This guide shows how to tell the two apart — and what to ask the seller for so that you can be sure.
What makes a crystal chandelier “genuine”?
The material has to meet the European limit values for lead crystal or crystal glass — and the seller has to name it. The relevant EU directive distinguishes four categories on the basis of density, refractive index and lead oxide content. If the product page only says “premium crystal”, that is marketing, not a description — ask for the crystal’s manufacturer and type.
The four materials sold as “crystal”
| Name | Lead oxide | Density | Refractive index | What your eye sees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full lead crystal 30% | ≥ 30% | ≥ 3.00 g/cm³ | ≥ 1.545 | Heavy, with a deep sparkle and strong rainbow dispersion. Rings for a long time when tapped. |
| Lead crystal 24% | ≥ 24% | ≥ 2.90 g/cm³ | ≥ 1.545 | The classic chandelier crystal. Well cut, it is barely distinguishable from 30%. |
| Crystal glass / crystallin | ≥ 10% (lead, barium, potassium or zinc oxide) | ≥ 2.45 g/cm³ | ≥ 1.520 | Brighter, with less depth to the refraction. Common in modern chandeliers, and a perfectly sound choice. |
| Glass or acrylic | — | ~2.4 / ~1.2 g/cm³ | ~1.52 / ~1.49 | Sparkles, but doesn’t split the light into its colours. Acrylic is noticeably light and warmer to the touch. |
The quickest test at home: weight. Acrylic is noticeably light and takes on the warmth of your hand within a few seconds. Lead crystal stays cool and is heavy for its size. This is not a laboratory measurement, but it reliably separates the two extremes.
How do I recognise a good cut?
The edges should be sharp and precise, not rounded. The material should be free of bubbles and inclusions, and the surface glossy, not matt or wavy. The drops should all be the same size — press-moulded pieces often differ by a few tenths of a millimetre, which shows at once when they are hanging. And most importantly: under a light source, good crystal doesn’t just sparkle, it splits the light into its colours.
Six-point checklist before you buy
- Is the material named? Not “crystal”, but lead crystal 24%, crystal glass or acrylic.
- Are the crystal’s manufacturer and type named? Serious manufacturers (Schöler, Asfour, Preciosa) also use quality grades.
- Are the cut edges sharp? Zoom in on the product photo — if you can’t tell, ask for a close-up.
- Are the drops identical? Ask whether they are press-moulded or cut pieces.
- How many crystals does it have, and how big are they? The number and the size together make up the effect of the light.
- Is there conformity documentation? The CE marking of the electrical part and the declaration of conformity can — and should — be requested.
What does the Swarovski name guarantee?
On its own, not much. Often only a few featured elements of a chandelier are made of branded crystal and the rest is plain glass — yet it is the brand name that appears in the advert. Ask specifically: how many pieces, and which elements, come from that brand. If the answer is evasive, that is an answer in itself.
What size of chandelier does your room need?
With a crystal chandelier, size is not just a question of looks: one that is too large overwhelms the space, one that is too small gets lost in it. You don’t need a formula — just enter the details of your room:
Chandelier size calculator
Chandelier size is a question of proportion, not taste. There are two separate cases: in the middle of a room, the light should match the room's proportions; above a dining table, it should match the table — and the two often give very different sizes.
Centre of the room — sizing table
| Room | Recommended diameter | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 3,0 × 3,5 m | 50 cm | 45–60 cm |
| 3,5 × 4,0 m | 60 cm | 55–70 cm |
| 4,0 × 4,5 m | 70 cm | 60–75 cm |
| 4,0 × 5,0 m | 70 cm | 65–80 cm |
| 4,5 × 5,5 m | 80 cm | 70–90 cm |
| 5,0 × 6,0 m | 90 cm | 75–100 cm |
Above a dining table
| Table width | Light diameter | Height above the table top |
|---|---|---|
| 80 cm | 40–55 cm | 70–85 cm |
| 90 cm | 45–60 cm | 70–85 cm |
| 100 cm | 50–65 cm | 70–85 cm |
| 110 cm | 55–75 cm | 70–85 cm |
| 120 cm | 60–80 cm | 70–85 cm |
Two common mistakes: the first is choosing the light above the dining table by room size — that is how a 4×5 m room ends up with a 70 cm chandelier above a 90 cm table, which is out of all proportion. The second is measuring the hanging height from the floor even above a table; there, the right reference is the table top.
Care: how to clean it without ruining it
Crystal loses its brilliance not because of dust but because of the film of grease that builds up on it — especially near a kitchen. For most chandeliers, one thorough clean a year is enough.
| Step | What to do | What never to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Isolate the power | Switch off the circuit breaker, not just the light switch. | Never work on it live, not even “just for a minute”. |
| 2. Take photos | Photograph the arrangement of the drops before you take anything off. | Don’t rely on your memory with a 200-piece chandelier. |
| 3. Clean | Lukewarm water, a few drops of washing-up liquid, a soft cloth. One piece at a time. | Don’t put the pieces in the dishwasher: the thermal shock and the detergent turn them matt. |
| 4. Rinse | A final rinse in distilled water, so that no limescale spots are left. | Don’t leave them to air-dry after rinsing in tap water. |
| 5. Dry | A lint-free cloth, straight away, each piece separately. | Don’t use kitchen paper: it scratches. |
| 6. Metal parts | A dry or barely damp cloth only. | Don’t let ammonia-based or abrasive cleaners touch the finish. |
What to ask the seller for, whichever chandelier you choose
With a crystal chandelier, it is worth asking for these details before you decide:
- the type of crystal — lead crystal, crystal glass or glass, and where applicable the manufacturer and the quality grade
- the number and size of the crystal elements
- the luminous flux emitted by the luminaire, in lumens — not the nominal value of the light source
- the colour rendering (CRI) and the colour temperature
- the photobiological risk group under EN 62471
- a downloadable EU declaration of conformity, with the product’s article number
Frequently asked questions
How much does a genuine crystal chandelier cost?
In Hungary, smaller models with crystal glass start at a few tens of thousands of forints (roughly €50–100 and up). Cut lead-crystal pieces with several hundred elements typically start at several hundred thousand forints (roughly €500 and up) — the price is driven mainly by the type of crystal, the number of pieces and the quality of the cut, not by the size.
Is a crystal chandelier old-fashioned today?
No, but the design language has changed. Alongside the classic, many-armed Maria Theresa chandelier, clean-lined, geometric crystal chandeliers are now more in demand — the same material in a different form. Crystal is crystal because of the way it splits light, not because of when it was made.
Can I use LED light sources in a crystal chandelier?
Yes, and it is usually worth doing. Watch out for one thing: crystal’s refraction looks best when the light source is point-like and clear. An LED with a frosted bulb diffuses the light, and that makes the chandelier look “lifeless”. Choose clear, candle-shaped LEDs, around 2700 K, with a CRI above 90.
What should I do if a crystal is broken or missing?
It can be replaced — but the size and the cut must match, or the one piece will stand out from the rest. Send a photo of one of the existing pieces, with its dimensions, to info@budailux.hu, and we will look for an exact match.