Zafferano’s Stalactite is a prismatic, three-sided glass pryramid lighting fixture that creates extraordinary special effects and commands attention in the space. It combines a strong sculptural identity with simplicity and versatility. Zafferano’s founder and president Federico de Majo tells us more.

What is the concept behind this product?

The concept originated from a spontaneous idea during a dinner with a LED filament technology manufacturer. A quick sketch on a piece of paper explored elongated, soft shapes, which then evolved into a more defined geometric form: a three-sided pyramid. That sketch stayed with the factory owner, and shortly after, the first feasibility study arrived. The result is a luminous prism, a sculptural object that combines purity of form with a strong visual presence, almost like a glowing stalactite suspended in space.

How long have you been working on the product for?

The development process was quite extensive. Each component ‒ from the light source to the decorative glass elements ‒ proved technically demanding and required careful study and refinement. It was not a short journey, but the time invested allowed us to achieve a result we are very satisfied with.

What was the most challenging aspect of producing this piece?

The construction of the glass pyramid. Cutting and bonding the glass panels had to be absolutely impeccable from every angle, as every detail needed to be flawless both structurally and aesthetically. Maintaining precision while preserving transparency and brilliance was key. We used extra-clear glass sheets with colour treatments applied through lustres fired at 180°C, a meticulous process that required great precision and craftsmanship.

What materials have been used?

The diffusers are made from flat glass sheets, assembled into a triangular-based pyramid and enhanced with layered colour finishes achieved through high-temperature processes. The metal structure features a glossy black nickel finish, designed to emphasise the brilliance and purity of the glass. The design process combined hand sketching, technical feasibility studies, and close collaboration with manufacturers.

What technologies does the product use?

Stalactite features a double dimmable light source. The primary source sits beneath the metal frame of the glass, while the secondary one is a vertical luminous filament running the full height of the diffuser, kept taut by a small magnet. This combination creates a remarkable visual effect – the filament illuminates the glass from within, turning the entire pyramid into a glowing, jewel-like object. The lamp uses LED TRIAC dimming technology at 2700K, with a CRI >80 and a beam angle of 55°, delivering 1,472lm at just 12W.

What kind of environments, clients or projects is this product suitable for?

Indoor residential and contract spaces. It works beautifully both as a single pendant and in modular compositions: think of high-ceilinged environments such as stairwells, hotel lobbies, and and large architectural volumes: indeed, the product is available in curated compositions of up to 13 elements. A shorter-diffuser version is also coming soon, which will extend its suitability to rooms with standard ceiling heights.

What makes this product different from others in your portfolio and from other lighting products on the market?

This is a unique piece due to the combination of the prismatic three-sided glass pyramid, the dual light source (which creates extraordinary special effects and commands attention) and the wide range of colour and compositional options. It combines a strong sculptural identity with simplicity and versatility. The possibility to customise compositions (from single pieces to large clusters) and choose from five different glass colours allows designers and architects to benefit from an exceptional level of creative freedom.

Describe the product in three words.

A luminous crocus: prismatic, sculptural, captivating.

www.zafferanoitalia.com