LIGHTING MATERIALS

Alabaster
Aluminum
Anodized Aluminum
Art Glass
Beveled Glass
Blown Glass
Brass
Cased glass
Chrome
Crystal
Etched Glass
Finish
Lead Crystal
Opal Glass
Oxidized
Patina
Sand Blasted Glass
Scavo Glass
Seeded Glass
Tinted Glass

Alabaster: A compact gypsum mineral, like stone that creates a warm, rich diffuser of light. Often used in European or high-end chandeliers, alabaster is unique in its tint and the character of its veining. No piece of stone is identical to another.

Aluminum: Aluminum is a pure metal. It forms and finishes easily. It can be dyed to a brass-like finish, but it lacks the depth and luster of real brass.

Anodized Aluminum: Aluminum that is chemically treated to prevent the fixture from corroding and to protect the finish.

Art Glass: Glass creations individually produced by a glass artisan. Art glass may fuse several types of glass or incorporate pigments and other types of materials to deliver one-of-a-kind patterns.

Beveled Glass: The edges of beveled glass are cut to an angle to add depth and glitter.

Blown Glass: Blowing glass permits a hollow form that is almost fully rounded, where the opening at the bottom is smaller than the diameter. Hand blown glass is created by artisans who blow air into a molten "balloon" of glass. The artisan's skill determines the shape and texture of the outcome. Expect the small variations is form that distinguish hand-made materials.

Brass: An alloy of zinc and copper. Brass forms and polishes easily. Unless protected by a lacquer finish, it will tarnish. Solid Brass means the fixture is made entirely of brass, rather than a brass-plated metal.

Cased glass: Cased glass consists of a layer of clear glass fused to a layer of opal (or other tinted) glass.

Chrome: Chrome takes a high- lustrous polish. It is plated to steel to make flat parts and to brass or bronze for cast parts. A softly brushed chrome finish simulates stainless steel.

Crystal: Clear glass.

Etched Glass: Etched glass is bathed in acid, which eats to the surface to produce a light diffusing texture.

Finish: Refers to the way a fixture is polished, painted, lacquered, or chemically treated.

Lead Crystal: Crystal that contains at least 24% lead oxide. The lead content softens the glass, permitting very precise cutting and smooth polishing. Fine lead crystal – hand-cut, sharply faceted, pure and highly polished – refracts light with brilliance and clarity.

Opal Glass: Opal glass is tinted white throughout, and has a milky white translucence that diffuses light.

Oxidized: Rusted.

Patina: The natural and beautiful effect of age or exposure to the elements. Patina can be simulated by any of the antiquing processes.

Sand Blasted Glass: Diffused with a light texture that is coarser than etching. Bead blasting abrades the surface of the glass with larger particles for a still rougher texture.

Scavo Glass: Glass that is "antiqued" by applying hot abrasives to create a roughly textured finish that suggests great age.

Seeded Glass: Seeded glass has tiny air bubbles in it, which refract the light to create visual interest. Seeded glass can often have an antiqued look, as old glass often had impurities in it.

Tinted Glass: Tinted glass is pigmented, like opal glass. This produces color throughout, that will not chip or peel.