When people talk about the parts of a chandelier
they’re often surprised by how many individual pieces go into one fixture. The word itself has an interesting history: it came into English in the 1700s from French, and before that from Latin, originally meaning “candle holder.” That makes sense, since the earliest chandeliers were designed to hold candles rather than bulbs.
Over the years, chandelier designs became more elaborate, and so did the terminology for their parts. Depending on the age, style, and material—whether you’re looking at crystal, brass, wrought iron, or glass—many of the components are known by different names. This is one reason why searching for replacement chandelier parts online can feel confusing.
Some of the most familiar terms include arms, the branching sections that hold each light, and pendants or prisms, which are the decorative glass or crystal drops that hang from the frame. You’ll also run into lustres, another word used for those hanging crystals, especially in older or European references.
Beyond those, there are a number of smaller but important pieces. A bobeche is the dish that sits just beneath each candle or bulb, both decorative and originally practical as a wax catcher. A finial is the ornamental knob at the very top or bottom of the chandelier that finishes the design. The canopy is the part that sits against the ceiling to hide the electrical box, while the chain or rod is what actually supports the weight of the fixture. Running through the middle is the stem or column, the backbone that holds the arms in place.
In crystal chandeliers especially, you’ll find additional terms for the hanging glass pieces: octagons, almonds, pear drops, or simply beads, depending on their cut and shape. Sellers may use different words for the same thing, which is why it helps to know the range of terms when you’re searching for replacements.
If you’re restoring an older chandelier or simply trying to identify a missing piece, learning the basic parts of a chandelier is the best place to start. To make that easier, we’ve added a labeled diagram on our website that shows the main sections and their names. It’s a handy guide whether you’re shopping for new parts or just getting familiar with how your chandelier is built.