Q: We inherited a crystal chandelier with the house we purchased last year. Some friends/relatives are shocked by the fact I want to keep it. I do want to update it a bit. Mainly, I want to replace the amber-colored middle tier crystals with another color (turquoise, smoke, grey, light green, something clear or opaque). These crystals are roughly 8" long, and I am having trouble finding anything bigger then 4".
We have been systematically removing the 70's and 80's from our house (34' of floor to ceiling mirrored walls are gone), and need help updating this chandelier. Does anyone have a source for LARGE replacement crystals?


Sent by Janet
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Do you have more photos of the updated room? You know, without the mirrored wall, green carpet & green chairs?
That is an amazing chandelier & I think it could work well as is (maybe have an electrician remove the chain & put in a solid brass piece to hide the wiring).
As to your question, I don't have any solutions for replacement crystal drops except for finding a glass blower in your area. That may get super expensive though.
Good luck & please, please send updated photos of your dining room. It looks like it has awesome potential!
There is a place in Ottawa Ontario Canada that carries a lot of Chandeliers. They have a bin of old discarded crystals that range in price. I would suggest contacting them to see if they have a lead on what you are looking for.
http://www.yardleys.ca/
Frankly though I think the amber crystals match your wood furniture.
I know nothing about chandeliers, but my guess is that you're not going to find a "source" for these things but that you could probably get something made custom pretty easily that is exactly to your taste. There are lots of glass-blowers (?) on Etsy, and there are probably local artists near where you live that do it too. For instance, I've visited the workshop at Gilmor Glass and those folks seem like just the kind who would do it for you: http://www.gilmorglass.com/
Sometimes things are better left alone.
Hello!
You're right! The raindrop design is hard to find in larger lengths. If you would consider switching shapes, this website has a huge variety. Actually, they have great customer service as well and may be able to help you find exactly the shape/size you are looking for: http://www.chandelierparts.com/index.html
Also, check out Etsy. You may not find your exact size, but there are some AWESOME glass blowers on there that would be happy to make you the exact size/color you need.
Lastly, you could always work with the amber. I know it's giving you the 70s vibes, but paired with a dark blue and copper, I kind of like it. :)
I'd worry about getting rid of that horrible mirror first! yikes!
I would leave the chandelier as is - it's beautiful - and focus more on changing out the green chairs and carpet in the room. I would leave the mirrors up too and work with them... maybe paint the room a dark blue, as someone else said, and get some bright white chairs in there instead of the green.
It's AWESOME as-is. I wouldn't change a thing! What a beautiful, unique chandelier.
Grand Brass has chandelier pendants. They also have 8" clear pendants that look very much like yours. There's a link. I've ordered a few things from them and love them. I'm working on redoing a few lights that I have and will be ordering from them for the projects very soon.
http://www.grandbrass.com/ShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=CY1818&session.currentcategory=Crystal&session.currentsubcategory=Crystal Pendents
Keep an eye on e-bay... I just bought some 8" teardrop pendants (light blue) a month or so ago. You have to watch for them, but they do come up for sale regularly.
I agree with those who suggested etsy. Custommade.com might be another good place to work with an artist.
The crystals look a bit like Christmas ornaments and decorations I've seen on eBay, so that might be a good place to try.
I think it could look really cool. I think I might tone down the shiny brass a little. Also, it is not really the focal point now. With the mirrors, I'm not sure there is a focal point ? A more traditional size / shape mirror to reflect the chandelier would be cool.
i agree with looking on eBay.
~ christie
I like the chandelier as it is. Not trying to be unsupportive -- just thought if you heard from a few folks who like the look it might help you see it in a different light. Kudos to you for wanting to keep it!
That chandelier rocks! It will look completely different once you finish updating the room. I wonder if you have tried rearranging--for example, putting the amber crystals in the outer or inner position?
would do a search for 'teardrop christmas ornaments'...there are a ton out there in all different materials. plus they're on sale this time of year. you just might find something that will give a new 'pop' to the fixture.
or
you could spray paint what you already have for an opaque look.
That is a fantastic chandelier. You are lucky! :) I could see the amber drops not looking so dated if they compliment the way you end up decorating your space, maybe in a kind of moody glam kind of style with lots of gold/brass tones as the accent. Best of luck finding a way to make it work for you!
i have no ideas, but i am in love with that chandelier (updated or not)!
Don't know how DIY you are, but consider using glass paint to change the crystals to a color you like. Dipping would be the best way to get even color. Hang the crystals from the top rack of your oven to see if you can use the "bake on" colors.
chandelier looks glorious as is, if this was my room I'd keep the mirrors and inset in between, I'd make it more '70s with peacock paint on the opposite wall, black bookshelves
I found at set of 48 glass ornaments in that shape on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-48-Artisan-Glass-Icicle-Teardrop-Christmas-Ornament-/320589313692
It isn't an exact match because the ornaments aren't as bulbous on the bottom but that could help make it appear more sleek/modern.
If you can't match them, you could also remove the amber ones, replace them by moving the exterior level of clear ones, then make/have made some pretty strings of colored and clear beads in a flattering shape to make the chandelier more interesting. You could also refinish the brass fixture to soften it up a bit as well (though I know brass is sort of "in" right now, but it was also "in" when that green carpet was installed). Also, those tall ceilings are great and the mirrored wall is hilarious, please give us some details on how that was to remove!
Id get that chandelier plated in chrome myself.
www.studiosteel.com might be able to help you
If you can't find the glass pieces, you might consider painting the metal. I helped a friend paint a brass chandelier matte black, just using plain old spray paint, and it looked really great and modern. Another friend painted one matte white, which was also a great look. I agree that it's a very fun and unique chandelier - have fun fixing it up!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Hand-Blown-Green-Glass-Teardrop-Ornaments-Chandelier-14-ea-/321048901257?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D321049769801%26ps%3D54
If it wasn't broke, I wouldn't try ti fit it. I think your mod chandelier is simply gorgeous just the way it is. I'm seriously jealous. I want it!
http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2013/1/21/a-taste-of-retro.html
They seem to have exactly the type of drops you are looking for on their chandelier. Maybe if you ask the blogger, they can get in touch wor get you in touch with the designer. It looks beautiful though!
Janet, While my comment doesn't answer your question, I thought I should share nonetheless: I hit up the main flea market in Vienna, Austria this morning (Naschmarkt) and I stumbled upon a chandelier VERY similar to yours (and selling for 180 EUR at that). It looks super groovy in person, so I think that it's great that you've decided to work with it. A photo of the chandelier that I spotted can be found here: http://45sqmeters.blogspot.co.at/2013/02/mind-power.html
I wish you much hunting luck!