An Architectural Feat Called the Crystal Palace

Crystals have always been associated with elegance and fortune. With its cost and so many aesthetically appealing items made of crystal, it is no wonder that crystal remains to be one of the most popular precious item. Whether it is a large crystal chandelier or small crystal favors for weddings, people do appreciate its beauty and value. So what about a structure made of crystal? Despite its name, the Crystal Palace in London that was inaugurated on 1851 was not really made of crystal but rather crystal-like materials like glass. From a distance, this architectural feat seems to shine and glitter with hundreds of square feet of glass that surround the structure.

It took Joseph Paxton years to plan and design the structure and William Cubitt engineered it. It also took additional manpower from France to complete it on time, and more than 13 million pounds to build the structure. Initially, indeed for the Great Exhibition of 1851, the building had its share of challenges until its grandeur ended on the evening of November 30, 1936.

The Grand Exhibition was the event where exhibitors around the world totaling to more than 10,000 gathered and showed their latest innovations. They had almost a million square feet to hold the exhibits and eventually the size of the structure was able to hold concerts and other public activities. The structure featured a large fountain called the Crystal Fountain that stood 27 feet tall. It was also the first structure to have a major public toilet system where visitors can pay up a penny for its use.

The structure was then moved to Penge Place where water fountains and landscaped gardens were placed. When it seemed that the public did not have the time or interest in the Crystal Palace, they started to put stalls and booths which contradicted the elegance of the place. The building faced several other problems until a major catastrophe defeated it. It started as a small fire in one of the offices inside and then eventually spread through the building. Even with hundreds of firefighters around, the fire just really seemed to be too big to handle.

The Crystal Palace leaves with it a legacy that London will always be proud of. With its innovation and luxury and many firsts that were held in it, the Crystal Palace will always be revered as one of the pioneers in architectural history.

How to Distinguish Glass from Crystal

They look the same, but are they really? While the price difference will probably give it away, there are other differences that put crystal on a higher standard than glass. They both look gorgeous but glass items are far different than crystal items – and it really is beyond what the eyes can see. Crystal items are made into more decorative items while glass tends to be more usable and practical. This is because of the composition and the difference between the two. While these materials can be interchanged, note the difference between the two and understand why crystal may at times be best. However, at times, glass will also prove to be its beautiful and less expensive counterpart.

For some countries, the difference lies in the chemical and lead composition of the item. A certain percentage will make the item fall into the glass category, while for some countries the item will be considered crystal.

It’s more than meets the eye as the sound produced by tapping the rim of an item can tell you whether it is glass or crystal. A ringing sound is produced by crystals while a more solid thud sound is produced by glass. Crystal reflects a color prism while light that passes through glass breaks and bends. Another visual distinction is that crystal tends to be thinner than glass. It is far more difficult to blow a thin glass than thin crystal. However, due to lead composition, crystal tends to be heavier despite its thickness, and glass items are generally heavier that their other shiny counterpart. Upon closer look at the rim and surface of the item, crystal casts a smoother and finer edge compared to glass which apart from being thick, tends to be less smooth and consistent.

Glass and crystal items will always impress people. Any item, whether a crystal wine glass, a glass paperholder, or crystal favors, is never out of place no matter what theme you have in your room or office. There are differences when it comes to composition and value, but nonetheless, they both look beautiful with the way they shine and how clean and sparkly they look. People will continue to love items made of glass or crystal. It will always be one of the favorite materials when choosing home or business items – whether decorative or practical. These items will withstand the elements and will last for many years.