Chandeliers have a long history of use around the world, with an especially strong tradition in many European countries. There are a wide range of different chandelier designs being manufactured, including many modern variations that play with the traditional chandelier form. However, most people identify crystal chandeliers (Kronleuchter Lüster) as the most iconic of all chandelier styles. Crystal chandeliers are a beautiful type of chandelier fixture that uses lead glass for its amazing light scattering effect. Contrary to popular belief, there is actually no crystal at all used in crystal chandeliers, which are instead made from lead glass. It is this glass made with a special amount of lead content that gives crystal chandeliers such a special clarity of light, resonance, and softness, and has made them such a popular and enduring item all over the world.

Crystal chandeliers are made from lead glass, which is a special type of glass where calcium content has been replaced by lead content. A typical example of lead glass contains between 18 to 40 percent lead oxide, although there are also a number of variations in the silica source and final percentage of lead used. In a technical sense, the term crystal can not be applied to any glass substance, because it lacks a crystalline structure. However, the term lead glass is typically replaced by the term lead crystal, due to a variety of historic and commercial reasons. The production of lead glass is often associated with Venice and the surrounding island of Murano, which was the area where many of the techniques used to produce lead glass were developed.

Crystal chandeliers are well known for their amazing light scattering properties and their impressive structural designs. The use of lead glass in the production of crystal chandeliers is the most important element in the creation of such an effect, although the arrangement of the bearing arms and other ornamentation does also have an effect. The crystal chandelier has become the most iconic example of chandelier design, and is likely to be produced and enjoyed for a long time to come.