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Crafted Crystal Salt Lamps

A Himalayan salt lamp is a unique type of table lamp that is made from crystal salt mined near the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan. The salt from this area is rich in minerals that give its characteristic colors of pinks and oranges. Over the years, Himalayan salt lamps have grown in popularity because of their distinct appearance, soft lighting, and purported health benefits. Because these lamps are made from salt, no two are alike and buyers will have to consider various factors to make sure they are getting one that they will love.
 

Why Are You Buying a Salt Lamp?

Before you start shopping for a Himalayan salt lamp, you should consider the reasons you want one of these unique lamps. Many people want the lamp simply for aesthetic reasons, as the lamps can be very beautiful. They also produce a soft, colored light that can be very soothing. If aesthetics are the main reason for purchasing the lamp, you will want to primary look at the colors and design of the lamp - such as whether it has a natural shape or is cut.

If you want to buy a salt lamp to light your home, keep in mind that these lamps generally only produce a very soft, dim light. This is ideal as a nightlight or for atmospheric accent, but generally not adequate for tasks like reading. If you need more light, then you will probably want to look for Himalayan salt lamps that are lighter in color and larger in size.

Finally, many people purchase the salt lamps from the Himalayas because they believe the lamps have health benefits. It is thought (though not confirmed by studies) that the heat from the light bulb within the lamp causes negative ions to emit from the salt. These negative ions neutralize positive ions, such as from air pollutants. Those neutralized ions than fall to the ground or bond to a nearby surface. This is very much how air ionizers work. To get any of the purported ionizing benefits from a Himalayan salt lamp, you would need to choose a lamp using a higher-watt light bulb. The higher-watt bulb will get warmer and produce a stronger ionizing effect.
 

Colors of Himalayan Salt Lamps

The most common color for salt lamps is an orange or pinkish shade. However, it is also possible to find Himalayan salt lamps in whites, browns, and reds. The white Himalayan salt lamps are not as common and thus are usually more expensive. They don't block as much of the light from passing through so will make a brighter, whiter light.

Orange and pink salt lamps are most popular because they emit soft, warm shades of light that many people find pleasing. Red salt lamps are also very attractive, but they block much of the light so are really only suitable as nightlights.
 

Size and Weight of Himalayan Salt Lamps

Made from crystals of rock salt, these lamps can be very heavy. If you want to buy a large Himalayan salt lamp, you will need to make sure the table you put it on is strong enough to support its weight.

If you are buying a Himalayan salt lamp for its purported ionizing properties, then you will need to make sure the lamp is large enough for the room. Or, instead of buying one large lamp, you can buy several smaller Himalayan salt lamps and put them around a room.

Himalayan Salt Lamp Size and Weight

Shape of Himalayan Salt Lamps

Himalayan salt lamps come in two types of shapes: natural and crafted. Naturally shaped Himalayan salt lamps comprise large pieces of salt crystal that resemble how they would appear in nature. By contrast, crafted Himalayan salt lamps are carved into shapes.

Crafted Himalayan salt lamps can come in a huge assortment of shapes. The most basic and popular ones are spheres and flowers salt lamps. It is also fairly common to see them in sculptural forms, such as mushroom, drops, Rockets, cylinder etc.

Himalayan salt lamps are generally made from one solid piece of salt crystal. However, it is becoming increasingly common to see the lamps made out of several smaller pieces of salt crystal. For example, one popular design is the “Bowl of Fire" lamp that has a shaped bowl with numerous small chunks of salt crystal in it.
 

Maximum Wattage and Bulb Type

As with all types of lamps, Himalayan salt lamps are designed to take certain types of light bulbs. Since they are generally meant to be used only as accent lighting, most will take a bulb with a low wattage of about 15 watts to 25 watts. If you want a brighter Himalayan salt lamp, then you should choose one with higher maximum bulb wattage.

Do note that a lot of sellers don't bother to list the maximum wattage of bulb that their lamps can take.