Light Fixture Rating & Review Guide

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Light Fixture Rating & Review Guide

There are many elements that come together in the process of creating light fixtures, and each one of these elements has a different level of quality from different manufacturers. At Del Mar Fans & Lighting, we have a lighting review system based on the level of quality that the manufacturer puts into each element for each light fixture.

We then average the elements for an overall light fixture rating: from 1 star being the lowest overall quality, to 5 stars being the highest overall quality light fixture we carry.

The list of elements used to determine the overall value of a light fixture are:

Materials Used	Finish Quality	Product Design
Workmanship	Light Bulbs & Technology	Brand Value

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Example Lighting Rating:
6LT Napa Chandelier by Kalco Lighting

Item	Description	Rating
Materials Used	Base Score = 3.0 Blown Glass (+1.0), Wrought Iron (+1.0)
Workmanship	Base Score = 3.0 Handcrafted in the U.S. (+2.0), Hand Forged Wrought Iron (+2.0)
Finish Quality	Base Score = 3.0 Hand Painted (+1.0)
Light Output Technology	Base Score = 3.0 Halogen (+1.0)
Product Design	Base Score = 3.0 Original Design (+2.0)
Brand Value	Base Score = 2.0 Lower Environ. Impact (+1.5), Good Customer Service (+1.0), Accurate Ship Times (+1.0)

Overall	Average of other elements

Materials Used

Manufacturers like Kichler Lighting use a variety of different materials to create a light fixture. Some materials are valued higher than others; these higher value materials create a longer lasting, more precious and more durable lighting fixture than the average.

Bronze, Wood, Brass, Silver Light Fixture Materials

The most common materials and the values we give each are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

Element	Rating Boost
Solid brass, stainless steel, and copper finishes
Crystal (Swarovski)
Wrought Iron, Iron
Blown Glass (Artesian Glass, Hand Blown Glass)
Seashell (Mother of Pearl, Mussel Shell, Capiz Shell, Oyster Shells)
Stone (Alabaster, Slate, Calcite)
Cast Aluminum
Wood
Acrylic
Resin

Things that decrease a light rating:

Element	Rating Deduction
Spun Aluminum
Metal

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Workmanship

The workmanship or craftsmanship may determine the overall life of a light fixture. There are many different methods that manufacturers like Minka Lavery use to create a light fixture. We have identified the most commonly used methods and rated them based on the value produced in the overall finished light fixture quality.

Showing The Great Workmanship Of The Lighting Fixtures We Offer

Above: Artisans at work at the Fine Art Lamps facility in Miami, Florida.

The most common methods of Workmanship and their ratings are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

Element	Rating Boost
Handcrafted by skilled artisans in the United States
Shaped with a hammer and anvil
Hand-forged wrought iron lighting
Hand-crafted
Intricate Metalworking
Hand-Forged Iron
Hand Blown Glass
Carved Castings
Hand Finished
Hand-Tailored Shades

Things that decrease a light rating:

Element	Rating Deduction
Stamped Casts

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Finish Quality

The finish quality of a light fixture is a necessary element when determining the overall value of the light fixture. There are many different quality levels to consider when rating the value of the overall finish. A good way to determine this is looking at a fixture type like brass outdoor lighting and see how the finish lasts over time in the elements.

Copper, Bronzed Brass, Natural Brass, Natural Vedigris Patina Light Fixture Finishes

Copper, Bronzed Brass, Natural Brass, Natural Vedigris Patina Light Fixture Finishes

The most common methods of applying a finish to a light fixture are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

Element	Rating Boost
Unfinished Copper (natural patina over time)
Unfinished Brass (natural patina over time)
Unfinished Stainless Steel
Marine Grade (very durable)
Acid Finish (color produced by an acid applied to brass or copper)
Nickel Plated (very durable)
Hand Painted (faux finishes, an artistic element is added to the finish value)
Polished Finish
Powder Coating (most common)

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Light Bulbs & Output Technology

Some manufacturers use cutting edge light technology to create an overall light experience from their light fixture. There are many different types of light output technologies used in the lighting industry today. We have defined a few that add overall value to the light fixture.

LED, Indirect, Dimming Ballast, Halogen, And Incandescent Lighting Bulb Types

LED, Indirect, Dimming Ballast, Halogen, And Incandescent Lighting Bulb Types

The most common value added light output technologies are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

Element	Rating Boost
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Fixtures with Dimming Ballasts
Indirect Lighting
Shadowing Light Design
Compact Fluorescent
Low Voltage Halogen
Standard Incandescent

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Product Design

Product Design is another important factor in the overall value of a light fixture. Many manufacturers hire accredited product designers and engineers to design their lighting fixtures, these manufacturers are the manufacturers that usually produce original product designs. It takes accredited designers to identify trends in an ever changing industry and well designed products to support that change.

Fine Art Belgrave Square Lamp Step By Step Creation

Fine Art Belgrave Square Lamp Step By Step Creation

Above: A fixture of the Belgrave Square Collection from Fine Art Lighting being assembled.

The most common design related values are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

Element	Rating Boost
Good Design Award Recipient - This award is given out by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, starting in 1957
Light Fair Awards - A variety of awards are given out at this International Lighting Show
Original Design - Some lighting designs have become so successful that they are copied by other lighting manufacturers
Accredited Designer Light Fixtures - Premier designers such as Jessica McClintock, George Kovacs, & Cristina Saralegui, Roberto Pamio, Marco Piva, etc.
Matching Canopy Design - Design Engineering is involved in creating the light maintaining standards and complementing the whole fixture with decor

Things that decrease a light rating:

Element	Rating Deduction
Builder Grade Lights - These lights are comprised of the basic, universal design
Original Lighting Design Knock-Off

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Brand

The final element we include in the Del Mar Designs Lighting Rating is the brand value. Many brands talk the talk about contributing to a better future, but which ones really walk the walk?

We Use A Rating System To Grade Our Brand Values On Del Mar Fans & Lighting

Casablanca Support team -

- Commitment to the Environment -

- Fulfillment Center

We have identified the following brand qualities that we believe have value: (Start with 2 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

Element	Rating Boost
Manufacturing Processes that Reduce Environmental Impact
Commitment to Energy Star Rated Products
Good Customer Service and Problem Resolution
Accurate Ship Times
+90% Product Availability

This completes the Del Mar Designs Lighting Rating description, Please call (800) 724-5501 if you have any questions about the way we rate our lighting products.

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April 2, 2020

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