Archive for the ‘Crystals for the Home’ Category

I remember going to my grandmother’s house as a lad and seeing crystal whatnots and dishes all over her house. My grandmother loved to collect crystal – both natural and man-made. As a child I thought it was so tacky and remember asking her why on earth she wanted to keep all that “junk”.

She had a big chunk of what I now know is natural quartz crystal sitting on her dining room table (I sacriligiously referred to it as an ugly rock). She would put white candles around that crystal chunk, causing it to glisten and glimmer in the candlelight, and then serve us on exquisite Waterford crystal plates, telling us every five minutes, “Now, be careful! don’t break my pretties!” She didn’t bat an eye when I would say, “You oughta get melamine, Grams – it doesn’t break.” For the life of me I couldn’t understand why she would rather have those fragile old plates and glasses I called junk instead of the dinnerware of modern technology – kid safe and dishwasher safe!

Today that “junk” is my treasure – and I have it encased in a beautiful, antique curio cabinet. I lovingly cherish each piece and wouldn’t part with it for the world. Not only does it flood my soul with precious memories – it is quite valuable. Grams knew what she was doing all along.

Natural Crystal vs. Man-made Decorative Crystal

It wasn’t until I met Jackie Jaye that I understood there are two kinds of crystal: natural and man-made. Jackie Jaye didn’t care much for man-made crystals. My grandmother loved both.

Most of the decorative crystal is made from man-made crystal. “Man made” crystals are manufactured using a percentage of lead, this percentage varying by manufacturer. The lead crystal is then cut and polished for use in making jewelry, glassware, exquisite collectibles and beautiful decor for the home.

Decorating with Crystal

Decorating with crystal is a matter of personal taste. It doesn’t have to be tacky or, even old-fashioned. It can work in swanky modern condo or in a simple, old fashioned cottage. There’s crystal decor for everyone.

The secret is to choose pieces that will complement your room – not become the focal point of the room. Of course, if you have a valuable collection as I do (thank you, Grams), then you may want it to be the focal point of a room. But, generally speaking, the crystal should accent the décor – not detract from it.

Additionally, using crystal as an accent in a room is more affordable as most people can’t afford a lot of expensive pieces like those producted by Waterford Crystals, the oldest crystal brand on the market. They have been around a long time and will probably continue to be a hot item for those who desire a more sophisticated decor.

Swarovski is another big name in crystals, started in 1892 by Daniel Swarovski who invented a cutting machine that was able to easily facet lead glass with percision and craftsmanship. This suddenly made crystal more affordabe than the rare handcut pieces as the artist was repalced by hydroelectric power. Yes, it is beautiful expensive but the prices aren’t nearly as pricey as the hand-cut cyrstal glass that was the only type available prior to the invention of the machine.

Where to Find Crystal for Decor

If you purchase Austrian crystal from Swarovski or Waterford Crystal from Ireland, you will pay a pretty penny – well, make that a hefty dollar and you’ll have a better idea of the price. But, you can purchase crystal pieces that are not extremely expensive if you shop around and visit places like eBay and Amazon. The cost depends primarily on where it is purchased, and in what quantities.

If you’re really budget conscious you can get faux-crystal at any department store or super center – but, don’t expect to find the exquisite Waterford or Swarovsky pieces in places like that. Those come with a much larger price tag.

Decorating with crystal can be a fun experience and add exquisite beauty to any room in your house if you don’t go overboard. The KISS method works well here — keep it simple sister — and enjoy a lifetime of beatiful memories with your own crystal collection.