The black chandelier is a bit of an oddball in the realm of chandelier lighting. Especially a black crystal chandelier could be considered weird – is it not the point of crystal chandeliers to reflect and refract light as vividly as possible? Isn’t it a bit counter-constructive to select black glass for this task?
Yes and no. While it may be true that a black crystal chandelier is not exactly transparent, it still does reflect the light quite well. Moreover, it does something which other chandeliers don’t. It is difficult to explain it to someone who has never seen it, but it is an effect not dissimilar to that of light shining on a perfectly polished black piano. The light is reflected and absorbed at the same time – not that that makes much sense. But where a piano has many plane surfaces – plane enough that they make decent mirrors – something like a black Murano chandelier does not. Here, the effect is much more profound, turning the chandelier into some beautifully strange and alien object of light and darkness at the same time.
Of course, it does not have to be a crystal chandelier. A black wrought iron chandelier could be what you were looking for – in fact, this type of chandelier is almost always black. This is simply the traditional look for wrought iron chandeliers, and usually also the look most people want from these types. Wrought iron is not glossy in any way – quite the opposite in fact. With this type of lighting, what you get is a much simpler form of light, without all the reflections and refractions of crystal. But wrought iron was always the solution for the more price-conscious in the old days, it makes sense that the light should be slightly less spectacular. Instead, you get lighting that helps you achieve that specific rustic atmosphere and traditional look. A black crystal chandelier would look quite out of place in a log cabin, don’t you agree?
What is a good setting for black crystal chandeliers then? Well, if you are drawn to all things Gothic, and strive for that look in your home, then hanging one of these babies from the ceiling could be the final touch. They are not the cheapest way of lighting up a room, but then nothing else can really touch them at what they do. Certainly one of the more interesting looks for chandeliers.