I'm more than pleased with this chandelier- it looks better in person! It is packaged with most crystals already on, wrapped in spongy packing material, and a bag of additional choices of crystals to make it personal. The outermost string (the widest part of the ball) is where the last string of crystals need attached, and you have options of how you want to do that too (more draping, tighter, extra hanging strings, etc.). Also, the pendant on the bottom needs added and can be a large prism or choices of several smaller ones.
Installation can be tricky as it comes with several feet of cord to allow for varying hanging lengths- I'd say up to 5 feet from ceiling, so there's plenty of extra cord. This can be good or pose difficulties. Our application put it with only one link from the ceiling, which meant threading all that extra through the center of the bolts that attach it up, and then coiling it up and into the electrical box to get it out of the way. I know I could have cut the cord, but am thinking of future uses (sorry next homeowner- not leaving this one!) Installation instructions are poor, so understand that the wiring and ground wire needs thread through ALL hardware, up into the electrical box, THEN attached, in order to install properly- it's a lot of "threading," and must be done in the proper order as there are several separate hardware pieces to be screwed into the next. Lay it out, in order from the chandelier to the box, and take your time... you'll succeed and be happy with this beautiful chandelier.
We put ours on a dimmer- adds to the enjoyment.