The earliest chandeliers known to man were used during the dark ages to illuminate large meeting and banquet places. Although made of just wooden planks with candles or torches attached, these early versions of the chandelier were primarily tools of the wealthy as the space and money required to use them were great.  As history advanced the chandelier continued in its position as chosen status symbol of the well to do. Kings, religious leaders, and presidents all adorned their castles, cathedrals and mansions with the latest chandelier incarnation.

Until the advent of gas and then electricity the chandelier was a tool for lighting a large room. Large amounts of light during the evening were not at the disposal of peasants and working class people. Chandeliers during this time normally contained a large amount of candles and the crystal surfaces would aid in refracting the light and give off a greater amount of illumination.

As electricity became commonplace the need for chandeliers as vehicles for transmitting light diminished. However because of the chandelier design incorporating large amounts of crystal so as to maximize the refracting of light, the modern chandelier evolved as a focal point of beauty.

Crystal was the reason chandeliers progressed as lighting fixtures in the past and it is the reason they are becoming stalwarts of artistic design today. The modern crystal chandelier though, often only shares a name with its forefathers. The designs available range from a multitude of bubbles of crystal under a glowing light to large spheres that resemble what is dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

Modern crystal lighting and specifically the crystal chandelier is being used in some very nontraditional places.  Versions are designed for baby nurseries.  Some people are lighting entertainment rooms with modern versions of the chandelier. You can even find them in fitness centers.

Chandeliers are more affordable now and many are very basic in design. Whether you live in an apartment or a small house you very well may have some version of a chandelier in your dining area. Still despite this the chandelier maintains an air of sophistication and many high end versions cater to the well heeled.