Spectrum Spectacle - The Appealing Hues of Lalique's Coloured Crystal
René Lalique, a visionary artist and master of glass, founded the House of Lalique in 1888. Though originally renowned for his Art Nouveau jewellery and glasswork, it is his legacy in crystal that continues to captivate collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. Among the most iconic elements of Lalique’s crystal creations is the brand’s extraordinary use of colour — a shimmering spectrum that transforms crystal into a living, luminous medium.
Whilst being non-exhaustive, the above demonstrates the wide range of crystal colours that Lalique has access to with reference to their iconic Fish Sculptures. Some collectors enjoy collecting and displaying every single colour, searching for retired colours, and looking forward to new additions.
Why Is Coloured Crystal So Desired
1. The Colours Reflect Precious Gemstones
Some of the most sought after and popular colours mimic the hues of precious gemstones like emerald-green, ruby-red, sapphire-blue and many others whilst still maintaining a heightened level of translucency that allows light to diffuse the colours brilliantly.
2. Coloured Crystal Allows For Further Artistic Expression
The vibrant palette of coloured crystal that Lalique uses resonate with art movements like Art Deco and Art Nouveau. This allows for a wider range of design aesthetics that cannot be achieved with just clear crystal. Today, it also extends into neo-modernist and other art styles to push the limits of creativity.
3. Colour Scarcity
Some crystal colours or coloured pieces in the past were less common than their clear counterparts, creating a scarcity that is prized by collectors. Coloured crystal is achieved by mixing in metals, sometimes even gold, and other components into liquid crystal before it cools down to its final colour. Some rare colours, like specific shades of purple and black fetch high prices at auctions and are only reserved for special art pieces.
Lalique's Iconic Colours
1. Opalescent Crystal - Magical Medium
DIfficult to replicate and appearing ethereal, opalescent crystal pushes the envelope by using subtle gradiations of blue and orange embedded within clear crystal. With appropriate lighting, the piece seems to hum and resonate with magical energies. Opalescent crystal is also used sparingly in Lalique's catalogue.
Lalique's Fish Sculpture in Opalescent Lustre Crystal and Opalescent Crystal showcases the magical properties of this colour spectrum.
2. Black Crystal - A Bold, Modern Statement
Black crystal is perhaps the most dramatic of Lalique’s colour explorations. Introduced to appeal to modern sensibilities, black crystal adds a striking, graphic quality to designs. It evokes power, elegance, and a certain mysterious allure — ideal for contemporary interiors.
Terry Rodgers's 2017 Sirènes Vase reinterprets the iconic Lalique Bacchantes motive and this is further enhanced with the use of black crystal, further adding mystery and glamour to the delicate and sensual contours of the motive.
3. Amber - Earthy Glow
Amber-toned crystal radiates warmth and nostalgia. These golden hues often evoke the natural world — autumn leaves, honeycomb, or the glow of firelight. Despite the pop of colour, the amber hue still blends naturally into various spaces and colour themes.
The rosy honey-like hues of amber crystal are in full glow with Lalique's Tourbillons Vases (available in regular and small sizes). Lalique also continues to innovate its crystal spectrum with the new Terramineral Collection and the new Canyon colour, an amber-like shade referencing the reddish-brown hues found in canyon formations, complementing the striated patterns of the Caldera Vase. (Credit: [left] Tanagra).
4. Midnight Blue: The Colour of Dreams
Lalique’s deep blue crystal is reminiscent of a twilight sky or deep ocean. It conveys calm, reflection, and depth — making it a favourite for celestial or aquatic-themed designs. This colour is often used sparingly, adding a poetic dimension to signature pieces.
The first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, the Nobel of architecture, Zaha Hadid collaborated with Lalique to create architectural pieces with focus on her trademark curvatures. In midnight blue crystal, the Fontana Bowl (Credit: @me_by_melia) expresses the dynamism of water ripples and delicate undulations of the surface.
5. Green Crystal: Echoes of Nature
From soft moss to rich emerald, Lalique’s green crystal celebrates nature. Whether used in foliage, animal forms, or geometric designs, green brings a sense of vitality and serenity. It also enhances Lalique’s Art Deco heritage, where green glass once symbolized modernity and growth.
The rare lime green Sauterelles Vase No. 888 (left) is one of the expensive coloured Lalique pieces auctioned at GBP 57,500 ($153,950 2024 Prices). (Credit: Christies). Lalique's current green crystal is best represented in the Languedoc Vase (right), referencing the palms populating the Languedoc region of France. It is now available in small, regular and grand sizes. (Credit: @marina_deryagina_decor)
6. International Klein Blue - Yves Klein's Masterpiece
The collaboration between Lalique and Yves Klein resulted in a striking fusion of art and craftsmanship. At the heart of this partnership are crystal pieces infused with International Klein Blue, a deep, ultramarine hue developed and patented by Klein in 1960. This colour, known for its hypnotic intensity and immaterial quality, is emblematic of Klein’s pursuit of the infinite and the immaterial.
Lalique's Victoire de Samothrace Yves Klein™ by Lalique 2011 Limited Edition is a recreation of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a Hellenistic statue which depicts the Greek goddess of victory (Nike) infamous for its state of incompleteness. Rendered in the alluring International Klein Blue and crystal form elevates the sculptural form to a surreal form.
7. Purple and Amethyst: Royalty and Mystery
Purple tones evoke nobility and spirituality. Lalique’s amethyst crystal, in particular, adds a mystical quality to its forms. Whether in animal figurines or abstract shapes, this hue creates a rich interplay of light and shadow, elegance and enigma. Thus, this coloured is usually reserved for pieces that expresses a sensual allure especially within the Lalique Art category.
Many Lalique collaborators favour the purple hue including Damien Hirst, known as one of UK's richest living artists. One of his popular motives is the butterfly which he has used in Eternal Beauty, unique interior panels with the butterfly print. The purple variant sold out quickly worldwide. Another designer to mention is James Turrell with his obsession with light illusions. Appropriately, he designed Purple Sage, a perfume bottle that transcends physicality and colouration with tints of purples, blues and pinks.
A Colourful Legacy
Lalique continues to push boundaries, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design. New colours are occasionally introduced through collaborations or limited editions, adding to the ever-growing palette. Yet, each hue remains tied to the core principles René Lalique championed: nature-inspired beauty, innovative craftsmanship, and timeless elegance.
Whether clear or coloured, each piece of Lalique crystal is more than an object — it is a dialogue between light, form, and emotion. In the hands of Lalique’s artisans, colour becomes more than decoration — it becomes soul.
To learn more about Lalique's crystal heritage:
