Chandeliers are an excellent way to add the finishing touches to a room's décor. With so many different types of chandeliers to choose from the task of picking can be a bit daunting. Why not choose a capiz shell chandelier for your room?
One thing is for certain. With all the different types of chandeliers the capiz shell chandelier is one of the most beautiful and affordable chandelier choices you have. And the variety of styles is just amazing!
Capiz shell is a gift from mother nature. It's a pure flat transparent shell with a subtle pearl effect on the exterior which makes it an excellent choice for many home décor products. In fact its uses are limited only by ones imagination.
And it makes an extremely beautiful chandelier. In fact it's by far one of the prettiest chandeliers on the market. It's style and design also makes it a great choice for the more modern room.
Many chandelier styles are large and almost overbearing better suited to large rooms or formal rooms but that's not the case with the capiz shell. It looks decadent in a baby's room, relaxing and fun in a dining room, and romantic in a living room.
Capiz shells come from several different places around the world including China, Indonesia, Philippine and Bali. The lush volcanic mountains of Bali produce some of the most beautiful capiz shells and they are the inspiration for some the most beautiful chandeliers.
Capiz
shells are actually the outer shell of the windowpane
oyster, a mollusk with the scientific name of placuna
placenta. The Capiz shell got its name because originally
it was harvested near a small town in the Philippine's
called Capiz.
These shells are not endangered and they are being harvested with consideration for the environment to ensure they do not become over harvested. There are no legal regulations that disallow their use in commercial products.
Have you ever wondered how they got the name windowpane oyster? Well in early day the shells were used to make windows. Because they are so translucent they allowed daylight to pass through. They were made from small square shells that were held together with wood strips. Today you will still find these windows in older homes. But the use of these shells has definitely grown and it's wonderful to see them used to produce magnificent chandeliers.
Although the chandeliers come from all parts of the world that are native to the shells, the Philippines produce a large portion of the product that comes to market. They do not use child labor and most companies that produce products are small family companies. All their chandeliers are handmade and coated with a fire retardant material for your safety.
One of the reasons the capiz makes such good chandeliers is because of the translucence of the shell. This makes them both functional and fashionable. If you want to see the selection that's available just do a quick search online. There are several websites that specialize in these chandeliers and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable they are.
With so many styles to choose from don't be surprised if it takes awhile to make your pick. But here are a couple of my favorites.
The 3 tier waterfall cluster chandelier has got to be one of the all time beauties! Most of the shells are from 2 ˝" to 3" in diameter and they are strung using clear fishing line so there's no eye distraction. This 6 foot length requires a fair bit of room and it won't go unnoticed! A similar chandelier coming from Europe would cost in the thousands but the Philippine hand made beauty costs a fraction of that.
The smaller 1 tier with a wooden disc base is also very nice and looks terrific over a smaller table or get two and hang them at then ends of your sofa or over your bed. And the latest square 2 tier is a must see with about a 12" diameter and 30" length set using silver chain.
Another very popular style is based on the traditional crystal chandelier body shape but rather it is built from thick body of capiz shells that touch but don't overlap giving it a very full and rich look. It is usually comprised of three tiers but can be as small as a single tier which is perfect for those smaller room.
Because of a dying technique the capiz shells are available in several pastel colors which include pink, robin's egg blue, golden amber, and a light green. You can also buy faux capiz shells and the quality is so good it's going to be hard to tell without a close up inspection.
So if you are looking for something a little different than that traditional wrought iron or crystal chandelier. Hoping for a chandelier that has more of a down to earth modern touch it's time to consider a capiz shell chandelier. One look and you'll be sold!
