LightingForum Schonbek Crystal Showroom

<body stylesrc="index.html" bgcolor="#000000" text="#FFFFFF" link="#FFFF00" vlink="#FFFF00" alink="#00FFFF"> <h2><a href="frames_for_crystal.htm" target="_top"><img border="0" src="images/Logo.jpg" width="374" height="62"> </a> <a href="mainmenu1.htm" target="_top">@ <font face="Arial">lightingforum . com</font></a></h2> <table border="0" cellpadding="3" width="83%"> <tr> <td width="100%"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><H2><font face="Arial">Why shouldn't the frame of a crystal chandelier be as rare and beautiful as the crystal?</font></H2> <P><font face="Arial">For over a century and a quarter our family has devoted its energies to the manufacture of crystal chandeliers, so naturally we appreciate the bright gold or silver frames sanctioned by tradition.</font></P> <P><font face="Arial">But we also have an innovative impulse that inspires us to take liberties with traditional forms. Recently we developed a remarkable new line of finishes for our frames.</font></P> <P><font face="Arial">Some have the antique luminosity of sunken treasure. Some seem as time-tortured as a tool from the ruins of Pompeii. Some suggest the eccentric texture of mineral-rich rocks.</font></P> <P><font face="Arial">The juxtaposition of supremely elegant crystal and rough metalwork creates a whole new aesthetic that works beautifully with the new eclecticism.</font></P> <P><font face="Arial">Now, more than ever, any decorating theme can find fulfillment in a Schonbek crystal chandelier, due to the marked character difference among the finishes.</font></P> <p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial">In the early and mid-nineteenth century, the Schonbeks were directly engaged in the manufacture of crystal in Bohemia, then heart of the crystal industry. Schonbek crystal from those early days hangs in Buckingham Palace and the White House.</font> <p><font face="Arial">In 1870 Adolf Schonbek left the family glassworks to start his own company. Soon he was designing and manufacturing crystal chandeliers. Since that time, every generation of Schonbeks has been involved in the design and manufacture of crystal chandeliers.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">The following discussion is based on our long and historic involvement with precious crystal in its many forms.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial" size="+1">What is crystal?</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Crystal is transparent glass of a high degree of brilliance and optical purity, appreciated for its decorative beauty.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">The fire and brilliance of crystal comes from the refraction of light passing through a prism. The same phenomenon causes rainbows.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">A piece of crystal is like a diamond in that its value depends on the quality of its material and how it is cut.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial" size="+1">The history of crystal.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">The earliest-known crystal chandeliers appeared in the sixteenth century and were dressed with rock crystal (a transparent crystalline form of quartz) of irregular shapes.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">By the seventeenth century, Baroque-period artisans had become expert at cutting rock crystal for chandeliers. The antique shapes designed at that time are still in use today.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">The first chandelier trimmings made of glass rather than rock crystal were manufactured in France late in the seventeenth century. The term "crystal" persisted, even after transparent glass became the preferred material.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">Complete crystal chandeliers formed entirely of glass were manufactured originally in Murano, an island just north of Venice.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">The Venetians guarded their secrets of glassmaking with deadly seriousness, sending assassins after any artisan who escaped from Murano. Despite all precautions, the manufacture of crystal spread to Bohemia, Spain, England and Ireland.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">By the nineteenth century, Bohemia -- site of the first Schonbek crystal factory -- had become the world's leading producer of fine crystal.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial">Types of crystal.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Crystal may be machine-cut, handcut or molded. A description of crystal types follows:</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial">Strass® crystal: absolute perfection.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Considered the finest crystal in the world, Strass® is manufactured by Swarovski AG in the Austrian Alps. Clear as spring water, totally free of flaws, unique in purity and brilliance, Strass crystal is characterized by razor-sharp cutting of facets.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">Lead content is in excess of 30 percent. Cutting and polishing are done by machine to achieve perfect optical clarity. An invisible coating makes Strass easier to clean.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial" size="+1">Swarovski crystal: a beautiful value.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">A passion for perfection has made Swarovski the world leader in the production of cut crystal. This new crystal grade offers a high degree of brilliance and an exceptional value.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial"><font size="+1">Heritage Handcut</font><font size="-2">(TM)</font><font size="+1">: the choice of traditionalists.</font></font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Our Heritage Handcut(TM) crystal is cut by hand in two stages on an iron and then a sandstone wheel. Each crystal is then polished on a wood wheel with marble dust. These methods go back centuries.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">If you look closely you will notice faint traces of the wood-wheel attesting to the concentrated labor of the artisan. This is a mark of authenticity.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">An interesting variety of handcut crystal used in some Schonbek designs is Optic Quality Heritage. This unique crystal, normally used in optical instruments, is a Schonbek innovation.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial">Bohemian French Pendaloques à la Schonbek.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Especially noteworthy among Heritage Handcut crystal trimmings are Schonbek's Bohemian French Pendaloques. The shapes of these crystals are derived from the irregular rock crystal used on the earliest chandeliers.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">The molds used to make these pendaloques were in the possession of the Schonbek company (then in Bohemia) some one hundred years ago.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial"><font size="+1">Heritage Gemcut</font><font size="-2">(TM)</font><font size="+1">: Opulent by design.</font></font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Heritage Gemcut (TM) is first-quality, machine-cut, full-lead crystal of a clarity and flawlessness beyond industry standards. It is characterized by prismatic brilliance, visual purity, sharp faceting and precise polishing.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial">The Legacy Collection(TM): in the Venetian manner.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Venetian crystal (from the glass-making regions in and around Venice) is molded, not cut. You'll notice a rounding of edges that comes from fire polishing.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">Molded crystal, though never as brilliant as cut crystal, has a subtle charm and is an exceptional value.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial">The all-important quality issue.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">Drawing on our intimate knowledge of crystal, we maintain relationships with vendors around the world who put aside for us the premium crystal from their inventories.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">In some cases we ourselves have trained artisans in the ancient craft of cutting and polishing crystal.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">Within each crystal type, we buy only first-quality crystal, enabling you to feel confidence in the heirloom quality of your purchase.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">Our competitors are not always so particular. They may mix second-quality crystal with better crystal to keep down the price of a fixture. Whereas, if it's a Schonbek, every piece of crystal is exemplary of its kind.</font></p> <h4><font face="Arial">How to recognize fine crystal.</font></h4> <p><font face="Arial">The characteristics that distinguish fine crystal are apparent to the naked eye. Possible imperfections include frosting, milkiness, cloudiness, bubbles, chips, scratches or inclusions.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">What you want to see is a reassuring absence of flaws, perfect clarity, silky smooth surfaces and a mesmerizing display of prismatic fire. You will, if it's a Schonbek.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">Lead content is not necessarily a guarantee of fine quality crystal. Lead simply acts as a softening agent, making glass easier to cut and polish. Some types of crystal we employ contain lead; others do not.</font></p> <p> </td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" width="14%"> <tr> <td width="100%"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="types_of_crystal_menu.htm" target="_self"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Back To Lightingforum</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <hr> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=208">Adagio</a></b></font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=185">Arlington</a></b></font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=189">Baronet</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=105"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Bordeaux</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=97"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Camelot</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=91"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Century</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=89"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Chantilly</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=84"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Colonade</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=190">Contessa</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=101"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Dorchester</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=104"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Early American</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=83"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Equinoxe </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=209">Esplanade</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=96"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Excelsior</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=156">Fairfax</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=98"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Festival</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=82"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Hamilton </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=85"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Jubilee </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=192">La Belle</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=78"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>La Scala</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=186">Madison</a></b></font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=210">Madrigal</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=99"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>New Orleans</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=80"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Olde World</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=95"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Ovation</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=188">Petit Crystal</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=106"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Petit Crystal Deluxe</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=191">Regency</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=100"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Renaissance</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=94"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Rhapsody</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=102"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Rialto</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=63"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Rivendell </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=77"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Romanoff</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=90"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Roman Empire</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=211">Scheherazade</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=86"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Scintilla</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=92"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Solitaire</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=93"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Sonata</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=81"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Sterling </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=64"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Trilliane </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=62"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Versailles </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=79"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Victorian </b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=103"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Vivaldi</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=88"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Windsor</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <hr> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="http://www.merchantmanager.com/lightingforum/storefront.asp?pageno=111"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Search Our Catalog</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="feedback.htm"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Contact Us</b></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="types_of_crystal_menu.htm" target="_self"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Return To Lightingforum</b></font></a></td> </tr> </table> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com" target="_top">Lightingforum.Com</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/eurofase_index.htm" target="_top">Eurofase Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/framburg_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">H.A. Framburg Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/george_kovacs_index.htm" target="_top">George Kovacs Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/IE_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">Illuminating Experiences Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/hinkley_index.htm" target="_top">Hinkley Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/hinkley_outdoor_index.htm" target="_top">Hinkley Outdoor Lighting Fixtures</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/landmark_tiffany_index.htm" target="_top">Landmark Tiffany Fixtures</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/wilshire_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">Wilshire Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/wilshire_crystal_index.htm" target="_top">Wilshire Crystal Fixtures</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/lightlift_index.htm" target="_top">Wilshire Chandelier Lifts</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/estiluz_index.htm" target="_top">Estiluz Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/hampstead_index.htm" target="_top">Hampstead Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/crystal_clear_index.htm" target="_top">Crystal Clear Fixtures</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/crystal_clear_lamp_index.htm" target="_top">Crystal Clear Lamps</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/crystal_clear_chand_index.htm" target="_top">Crystal Clear Chandeliers</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/gift_accessory_index.htm" target="_top">Gift and Accessory Forum</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/translite_index.htm" target="_top">Translite Sonoma</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/access_index.htm" target="_top">Access Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/pecaso_lighting_index.htm" target="_top">Pecaso Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/water_wonders_index.htm" target="_top">Water Wonders Fountains and Waterfalls</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/elk_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">Elk Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/leds_index.htm" target="_top">LEDS Alabaster Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/lamp_international_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">Lamp International Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/demajo_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">DeMajo Lighting Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/design_series_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">Design Lighting Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/ie_bath_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">Illuminating Experiences Bath Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/ie_traditions_mainmenu.htm" target="_top">Illuminating Experiences Traditions Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/ie_fireworksii_index.htm" target="_top">I.E. Fireworks II Series Lighting Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/eurofase_recessed_index.htm" target="_top">Recessed Eurofase Low Voltage Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/euroclassics_index.htm" target="_top">EuroClassics Lighting</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/eurofase_concepts_index.htm" target="_top">Eurofase Concepts Collection</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/hinkley_lantern_index.htm" target="_top">Hinkley Lantern Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/hinkley_decorative_index.htm" target="_top">Hinkley Decorative Catalog</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/hinkley_bath_index.htm" target="_top">Hinkley Bath Brackets</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lightingforum.com/faberge_eggs_index.htm" target="_top">Faberge Style Eggs</a></p> <p> </body>