Crystal clear - Crystallize.Me provides light and sparkle to those with an eye for luxury accents

Sourcing unique and exclusive crystal lighting, decorative objects and bespoke accessories from around the world, Crystallize.Me brings the best of crystal works to Hong Kong and China. Setting the standard and educating discerning collectors and connoisseurs in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Hong Kong, Crystallize.Me continues to flourish as the go-to source for the sparkling products.

Managing director of the company Raymond Chui and his team has been busy at work the past year to bring even more exciting crystal elements to the cities. “Along with winning major contracts including Shangri-La Shanghai and signing an exclusive contract with Spanish crystal chandelier leader, Iris Cristal, we were able to host our successful crystal glass art exhibitions in both Beijing and Shanghai,” he says.

With a 40-year history in crystal, Crystallize.Me is leader in the industry - bringing top quality pieces from leading names around the world to local buyers. Chui observes the trends in crystal lighting, accessories and fashion. “There are two seemingly opposite trends that are developing in the crystal industry; one is the progress of technology in the production process and the other is a resurgence of traditional craftsmanship.”

These opposite trends appeal to distinctive sets of clients, those who strive for contemporary styling and those who seek the unique and the extraordinary. The advancement in technology has led to more finely cut crystals due to precision cutting machinery as well as the decrease in the use of materials containing lead. Machine-cut crystal, while resulting in modern pieces, lacks the emotions and passion of traditional. This, says Chui, is the reason why the market for hand-made pieces exists.

“The growing use of machinery has increased the value of traditional craftsmanship as it becomes increasingly rare. Although the use of technology has come a long way in the crystal industry, it still cannot truly replicate the artistic quality, intimacy and unique personalization of hand-crafted crystal pieces." Leading the industry for 40 years, Crystallize.Me’s clients too have cultivated an extensive and in-depth knowledge about the value of crystal.

“Many buyers are becoming savvier in identifying and appreciating the differences between high and low-quality crystal products.”

Because of this informed appreciation for fine crystal works, customers are also fully aware of the value of fine pieces. “Instead of focusing solely on price, customers now value the quality of original designs, superior craftsmanship, and the use of highquality materials. Hopefully, this trend will continue to motivate an improvement in overall quality and services in our industry.”

Chui observes that crystal is nothing less than works of art. They become valuable collectibles that make great investment and beautiful style statements.

Many high-quality crystal products are considered and treated as pieces of art. Overseas, many designers and artists collaborate with big name brands to produce crystal products that are unique in design and creation. Chui believes Crystallize.Me can facilitate this trend in Hong Kong and China.

“Crystallize.Me has plans to bring this concept to the Chinese market as more people now appreciate crystal products for not only their practical use, but also their artistic quality. It is exactly for this reason that we have chosen to set up our showrooms as galleries rather than regular stores,” says Chui. Besides providing crystal pieces to clients, the company is also an expert on all services related to crystal.

“Crystallize.Me has always provided our customers with services to help satisfy their needs. Along with services such as light installation, procurement and customization, Crystallize.Me has recently started offering a beautifying service that not only provides a professional cleaning service for customers with luxury lighting but also helps upgrade existing light bulbs with our own beautifully designed and energy efficient CAT.i LED light bulbs.”

Launching its own brand of light LED light bulbs, CAT.i, seems to be a natural move for the company as lighting is one of its major focuses. The right amount of lighting not only provides illumination, but it also sets the ambience and uplifts the mood of the space. “Our CAT.i LED light bulbs have been designed to not only be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, but also to improve and enhance the beauty of our customer’s lights and lighting fixtures,” said Chui. To maintain its reputation as the top crystal source, the company strives to continuously keep on the edge of trends to bring the best and latest to its customers.

“The market is constantly changing and we are always interested in staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industry. At the same time, we strive to ensure that the philosophy behind the Crystallize.Me brand stays constant and that is the focus on providing our customers with a unique and memorable experience. Our plans for the future will continue to uphold this principle as we further develop the different brands, products and services provided under our group.”

FAST FACTS

• 2000 - Branched out in mainland China as “Crystallize Me”, the one and only high-end luxury crystal lighting brand

• 2002 - Project for APEC VIP room, Shanghai Westin Hotel, and the Bund in Central Shanghai

• 2004 - Expanded into the market in Beijing, became the lighting supplier for China World Hotel and the Beijing Shangri-La Hotel

• 2005 - Created “JK Blue” crystal gift associated with COFCO Plaza; as well as the “world’s 100 most famous diamonds” replicas

• 2006 - “JK Blue” fashion jewelry

• 2009 - Combine lighting/jewellery/gifts into the concept of Crystallize Me

• 2010 - Applied the new concepts of our showroom into Bao Gallery

• 2011 - On-going Bao Gallery Crystal Art Experience is associated with China’s top crystal artists from Qinhua University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, and Shanghai University

• 2012 - Launched the CAT.i brand. Environmentally friendly LED light bulbs designed especially to visually enhance chandeliers and other luxury lights.