The lampshade saga is more than just one of shape, however. It is a tale of fabric, trim and fit as well. The framework of a quality shade will be made of brass. You can judge quality of the frame by its heaviness. Light frames found on the inexpensive shade cannot be expected to hold up well, says Ledbetter.
Silk is the mainstay for the more elegant shade styles today.
It is dressy and, being translucent, gives off a soft light, and with the proper care can last many years. That care includes removing the clear cellophane from the shade immediately, lightly dusting it periodically and, for quality shades, every two or three years washing in a mild detergent. Drain the tub, rinse out well, fill the tub with clean water and swish the shade up and down as you did for washing. Drain the tub again, then refill for a final rinse. Hang the shade in the sun to dry.