Anatomy of a crystal chandelier

Why this matters

A chandelier specs sheet is full of names that don't appear in everyday language: bobeche, pendeloque, festoon, plume, rosette. They're not jargon for jargon's sake — each describes a specific piece with a specific job, and once you know the names, the rest of the conversation about a fixture becomes much easier.

This page is the short version. The full reference — including how each component is made, what it does to the light, and how to maintain it — lives at the Care glossary.

The vocabulary

• Bobeche. The scalloped collar that catches wax (in a candle chandelier) or anchors crystal drops (in a wired one). One of the most visible components.
• Pendeloque. The classic teardrop-shaped pendant. The shape most people picture when they hear "chandelier crystal."
• Festoon. A swag of beaded crystal that drapes between arms or around the body of the fixture. Adds movement and horizontal weight.
• Plume. A faceted spire that rises from the top of the fixture. Faceted edges scatter light upward.
• Rosette. A flat disc — often round, often faceted — used as structural jewelry in the arms or canopy. Functional and decorative.
• Chard. Irregular pieces of broken or shaped crystal used for organic, less geometric fixtures.
• Bubble block. A solid block of seeded glass with deliberate internal bubbles. Reads as ice or water under light.
• Regency ball drop. A polished crystal ball, usually below the lowest tier, that acts as the visual anchor.
• Champagne bead. Warm-toned beaded crystal in strands or festoons, used for tonal warmth.
• Iceberg. A clear, irregular-faceted block that reads as ice. Used as a primary form or accent.

See the full glossary

Each entry above has a longer profile in the Care glossary — material composition, how the light behaves, and how to maintain it. Start at /care/glossary.

When a product page lists "pendeloque" or "festoon" in the materials, the relevant glossary entries are linked in the Care for this piece card on that page.