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The buyer of crystal is at heart a collector and understands the importance of choosing a crystal chandelier of heirloom quality.
Ancestral knowledge of crystal runs deep at Schonbek. The Schonbek family has been making crystal chandeliers since 1870. Bohemia, site of the first Schonbek factory, was the world’s leading producer of fine crystal in the nineteenth century.
Schonbek chandeliers display only the finest imported crystal. Studying the types Schonbek employs is like a history lesson in crystal, from early Renaissance to present day.
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Crystal may be machine-cut, hand-cut or molded. Within each crystal type, we buy only first-quality. A description of crystal types used by Schonbek follows:
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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 machine-cutting of facets. Lead content is in excess of 30 percent. An invisible coating makes Strass® easier to clean. Note that the new Schonbek Geometrix® collection of high-tech lighting features Swarovski Strass® crystal in vibrant colors.
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This new crystal is a Strass® innovation. Swarovski® developed a proprietary coating that imbues their finely faceted crystal with a shimmering Golden Teak tonality. Schonbek offers several chandelier designs that showcase this spectacular crystal.
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A passion for perfection has made Swarovski® the world leader in the production of cut crystal. This Swarovski® crystal grade offers a high degree of brilliance and an attractive price.
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The methods of producing hand-cut crystal go back centuries. First the crystal is cut by hand in two stages on an iron and then a sandstone wheel. Then each crystal is hand-polished on a wood wheel with marble dust. You may notice faint traces of the woodwheel, a mark of authenticity. Our crystal makers put aside their first-quality hand-cut crystal for us, and we select the best of the best from this choice inventory. In some cases we ourselves have trained artisans in the ancient craft of cutting and polishing crystal.
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A Schonbek innovation. This exceptionally fine hand-cut crystal, formerly used only in optical equipment and scientific instruments, is remarkably refractive.
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The molds used to make these classic hand-cut Bohemian crystal pendeloques were in the possession of the Schonbek company (then in Bohemia) over one hundred years ago.
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Gemcut® is first-quality, machine-cut crystal of a clarity and flawlessness beyond industry standards. It is characterized by prismatic brilliance, visual purity, sharp faceting and precise polishing.
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Colored crystal, which dates back to the sixteenth century, has been re-discovered by twenty-first-century trendsetters. We call our colored crystal Jewel Tones™. Color formulas are often closely guarded family secrets handed down from one generation to the next. Our colors are exceptionally luminous and prismatic, and include ruby red, light and dark amethyst, topaz and smoke topaz, olivine, pink, sapphire and black diamond.
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This crystal comes from the glass-making regions in and around Venice. Venetian crystal is molded and fire-polished rather than cut, which results in a subtle luminosity rather than brilliance. Interior designers often prefer the antique look of Venetian crystal.
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This crystal recalls estate jewelry or perhaps a vintage crystal chandelier found in the attic. Nostalgic shapes include whimsical little beads, dainty droplets and tiny antique-style faceted ovals. Chains upon chains of fanciful beading or jewel-like octagons recall forgotten fashions.
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Rock crystal is a natural quartz prized by collectors since ancient times. Wondrous fissures and mists, billions of years in the forming, make each crystal unique in the universe. The raw crystal is mined, not manufactured, It cannot be mass-produced. Skilled gemcutters grind, cut and polish each rock crystal by hand. Polishing one crystal to perfection might take a week. Rock crystal is cool to the touch in any weather. Sublime geological events created this mysterious coolness.
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The characteristics that distinguish fine crystal are apparent to the naked eye. Possible imperfections include lack of clarity, bubbles, chips and scratches.
What you want to see is a reassuring absence of flaws, perfect translucence, silky smooth surfaces and prismatic fire. You will, if it’s a Schonbek.
Rock crystal is judged differently from glass crystal. Inclusions, fissures and constellations are considered a mark of beauty in this natural quartz.
Lead content is not necessarily a guarantee of fine quality. Lead simply acts as a softening agent, making glass easier to cut and polish.
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