Crystal glass

What is crystal glass?

Crystal glass is glass to which metal oxides have been added to make the material extra clear, glossy and sparkling. In many cases it is lead crystal or glass with a similar composition that creates attractive light refraction and a clear ring. As a result, crystal glass often looks more luxurious than standard glass.

When people search for crystal glass, they usually mean glassware or decorative objects with more sparkle, depth and refinement than ordinary glass. For interior applications, that is precisely what makes crystal glass so popular. It captures light in a special way and adds color, shine and atmosphere to the space. If you would like to explore more broadly within glass art, you will find many more special glass objects at Eliassen.

What is the difference between crystal glass and ordinary glass?

The difference between crystal glass and ordinary glass is mainly in composition, appearance and experience. Ordinary glass is often functional and sleek, while crystal glass is known for its luxurious character. Due to its composition, the material has higher clarity and a more beautiful sparkle.

• More shine and sparkle due to stronger light refraction
• More luxurious appearance than standard glass
• Often heavier and richer in character
• Very suitable for decoration and exclusive interior accents
• With high-quality crystal glass you often see more depth in color and finish

If you are wondering what the advantage of crystal glass is, it usually comes down to looks. Crystal glass immediately draws the eye and gives a room more class. At Eliassen this is reflected in decorative objects and mood lamps that are not only beautiful to look at, but also truly set the mood at home.

What is crystal glass made of?

Glass is basically made from, among other things, sand, soda and lime. With crystal glass, additional substances are added that provide different optical properties. This creates the characteristic clear and sparkling effect that crystal glass is known for.

For part of the range we work with high-quality crystal glass with a lead content of at least 24%. That falls within the designation often associated with classic lead crystal. This type of glass is known for its exceptional clarity, shine and luxurious appearance. Especially for decorative objects and mood lighting, this is a major advantage, because the material brings out light and color especially well.

Lead crystal, lead-free crystal glass and Tritan crystal glass

If youre looking into lead crystal, lead-free crystal glass or Tritan crystal glass, you probably want to know the differences. That makes sense, because these terms are often used interchangeably. In practice it mainly comes down to composition and properties.

Lead crystal

Lead crystal contains lead oxide and is known for its high gloss, attractive light refraction and luxurious appearance. It is often chosen for exclusive decoration and artistic objects. Within Eliassens collection, this fits well with the handmade look of the crystal-glass decorations and lamps.

Lead-free crystal glass

Lead-free crystal glass was developed as an alternative to classic lead crystal. The aim is to offer comparable clarity and appearance, but with a different composition. For consumers, the most important thing is that it still has that luxurious look you expect from crystal glass.

Tritan crystal glass

Tritan crystal glass is a well-known modern variant of lead-free crystal glass. This material is often mentioned for drinking glasses and wine glasses because it is strong, clear and practical in use. If youre specifically looking for Tritan crystal glass or crystal glass that is dishwasher-safe, it usually concerns table glassware. On this page the focus is on decorative crystal glass and mood lighting, where appearance, craftsmanship and unique design take center stage. Want to learn more about techniques and types of glass art? Read Types of glass art and techniques.

Why choose crystal glass as decoration?

Crystal glass is not only a beautiful material, but also a powerful mood-maker in the home. Because of the way it refracts light, its appearance changes with the space, daylight and placement. That makes every object lively and special.

For decorative use, crystal glass is ideal when you are looking for something more exclusive than standard home accessories. Think of a solid crystal-glass drop as an eye-catcher on a sideboard, or a mouth-blown mood lamp that adds character to your interior both during the day and in the evening. Because handmade crystal glass is never exactly the same, you bring something truly unique into your home. If you also want artistic forms with more expression, glass sculptures are a beautiful addition within the same material.

• Adds luxury and depth to your interior
• Plays beautifully with light and color
• Fits both classic and modern interior styles
• Each handmade piece has its own look
• Very suitable as a special gift or statement piece

Our range of crystal glass

At Eliassen you wont find a standard collection, but characterful pieces chosen for their appearance, finish and originality. Our range focuses on handmade crystal-glass home decoration and lighting for people who are looking for something special.

Crystal-glass mood lamps

Our crystal-glass mood lamps are real eye-catchers. Various models are mouth-blown using traditional techniques, including the Murano method. The goblet-shaped shades, rich color nuances and special light effects make these lamps suitable for places where atmosphere and appearance are important. If you want to discover more within mouth-blown glass objects, also take a look at the Fidrio glass collection.

Think of an eye-catching lamp on a side table, cabinet or windowsill. Thanks to the combination of color and glass structure, a warm and lively effect is created. With certain models you also receive a free LED bulb with remote control, allowing you to easily adjust the light intensity and color settings.

Decorative crystal-glass objects

In addition to lamps, Eliassen also offers crystal-glass objects that are purely decorative. For example, solid drops and abstract forms in powerful colors such as blue, red and green. These objects are perfect for anyone looking for a stylish accent that immediately stands out, without becoming loud.

Through the interplay of color, transparency and shine, these objects look different from every angle. That makes them very suitable for an open cabinet, coffee table, column or sideboard. For smaller decorative pieces or refined collectibles, glass animal figurines are also interesting to explore.

Handmade crystal glass with a unique character

An important advantage of handmade crystal glass is that no two pieces are exactly alike. Small differences in shape, color gradient or details are part of the craft and make each product unique. That gives much more character than mass-produced glassware.

For Eliassen, that fits perfectly with the way of working. As a family business, service comes first and we consciously choose quality at a sharp price, among other things through our own import and a strong in-house assortment. This way you get a special product with presence, without it becoming unnecessarily out of reach.

View crystal glass in the showroom in Ammerzoden

Crystal glass looks great in photos, but in real life you can truly see how the light plays, how the colors build up and how much presence an object has. Thats why its nice that you can not only order the collection online, but also view it in Eliassens large store and showroom in Ammerzoden.

That is ideal if you want to compare different models or assess which object fits your interior best. From Ammerzoden, Eliassen serves customers throughout the Netherlands and Belgium, with the personal service you can expect from a family business.

Does crystal glass suit your interior?

Crystal glass is surprisingly versatile. Whereas it used to be mainly associated with classic and chic, today it fits just as well in modern, hotel chic, country and eclectic interiors. It mainly comes down to the right shape, color and placement.

• In a modern interior, crystal glass provides a luxurious accent with depth
• In a classic interior, it reinforces the elegant look
• In a colorful living style, it lets color and light speak even more
• In a minimalist space, one large object often works better than several small accessories

Depending on your style, you can also combine crystal glass well with other decorative glass objects, such as colored glass vases, for extra color and layering in the interior.

Crystal glass and the dishwasher: good to know

Searches such as crystal glass dishwasher and crystal glass in the dishwasher usually refer to drinking glasses, such as crystal Burgundy glasses or other table glasses. For decorative objects and mood lamps this is of course not relevant. Clean these products best by hand, so that gloss, color and finish remain beautiful.

Use a soft cloth when cleaning and avoid aggressive agents. This keeps the crystal glass looking its best and prevents unnecessary surface damage.

Frequently asked questions about crystal glass

What is a crystal glass?

A crystal glass is glass with additional compounds that provide more clarity, shine and light refraction than ordinary glass. As a result, it looks more luxurious and refined.

What is the difference between crystal glass and ordinary glass?

Crystal glass generally has a richer appearance, more sparkle and a more exclusive character. Ordinary glass is usually simpler and more functional in appearance.

What is crystal glass made of?

Crystal glass is based on glass, but contains extra components that improve the optical properties. For certain products, it concerns crystal glass with a minimum lead content of 24%.

What is the advantage of crystal glass?

The biggest advantage is the look. Crystal glass captures light in a special way, looks luxurious and makes decorative objects and lamps visually much stronger.

Is all crystal glass the same?

No. There are differences in composition, finish, clarity and application. There are also differences between lead crystal, lead-free crystal glass and modern variants such as Tritan crystal glass.

Does Eliassen also sell crystal-glass wine glasses?

This category focuses on decorative crystal glass and mood lamps. If you are looking for inspiration around Burgundy crystal glasses or crystal-glass wine glasses, that is a different product application than the home decoration on this page.

Can I view the crystal glass in person first?

Yes, you are welcome in Eliassens large showroom in Ammerzoden to browse the collection and experience the look of the objects in real life. If you also want to compare luxurious glass desk or home accessories, for inspiration you can also take a look at glass paperweights.