It's a good question, isn't it ridiculous? The only answer that comes to mind is designer or high end brand. If you're buying a designer or higher end brand, you're paying for the name.

I can't tell you why the huge price difference, but I can tell you that I just purchased three pendants from Hudson Valley and they are gorgeous and great quality. I bought the Pelham which is just like the Randolf, but all metal. The randolf is gorgeous too, my friend has them. Also, the Hudson Valley pendants have a diffuser on the bottom of the light, so you are not looking up at a bare light bulb. The much less expensive pendant you posted is nice, but it is only 6" and the other was 10". Not sure what size you are looking for. Another great lighting brand besides the Hudson Valley is Visual Comfort, you might want to check them out too, but watch out they are pricey also. Good Luck

The difference is sometimes made-to-order vs. not. Other times it is the volume of the production as a whole, so while they may have 212 in stock at Lighting Universe, they may only make several thousand vs. 100,000. Sometimes its quality of the castings or components or finish. This is not lighting, but Weslock (~$10) vs. Schlage ($25) vs Emtek ($60) vs Baldwin ($80+) oil rubbed bronze egg knobs may all look very much the same in pictures but the finish and the "hand" of the knob are quite different in person...now why you can then go up to $300+ for an oil rubbed bronze knob I am not so sure.

Any fixture you are likely to buy is going to be UL listed and "safe" but the cheaper fixture may have some plastic components or some thin, stamped metal components while a more expensive one has cast pieces. Either one could be fine...just evaluate how likely you are to get the mileage out of each piece..do you like to change things out on occasion? Are you hard on things? Do you scrub and wash things a lot? (this could affect a cheap finish).

lovlilynn, hudson valley lighting is known for their quality and designs. Many companies copy and simplify their designs and sell for less. They are expensive though. You will see the difference between a $60 fixture and a $400 fixture, but go with what you can afford. You can always replace the light down the road when you have recovered from your kitchen remodel. Another light you might want to consider that is similar to what you like, is the Murray Feiss Parker pendant.

tearose21, I have been going back and forth between the pelham and the randolph. Which finish did you go with and can you post any pics, I'd love to see them?

Pluckymama, I know what you mean about going back and forth between the Randolf and Pelham. Mine are not hung yet, but I can tell you they are quite lovely. I went with the PN finish. My kitchen is turning into a PN fantasy. All the hardware and both faucets and now the lighting fitures...hope it's not too much!! What is your hardware and what color are your cabinets? I think the Randolf gives a little bit of a softer look because it's not so much metal. You can't go wrong with either, they are so classic. I will try and figure out how to post pictures. Trisha

Personally, I don't like pendants on a chain.

Have you checked out Rejuvenation...they are priced somewhere in the middle of that. Here's a nice one for about $138. (link below)

I have Rejuvenation all throughout my home and they are a VERY nice quality. Some people have complained about customer service lately, but I didn't have any issues.

You can pick the 'frame' of the light, the finish and the shade style....very custom.

Kompy

Here is a link that might be useful: Rejuvenation Lighting

Ps. I bought some inexpensive $40 pendants for my master suite hallway....and you can definitely tell the difference!!!! My kitchen pendants looks solid...and the shades have a nice thick glass. When people are sitting at my bar, they are seated fairly close to these lights. I wouldn't want the cheapie ones at the bar.

In defense of $40 lights, I bought some Minka Lavery pendants for the master bath and was pleasantly surprised & very satisfied with the quality of the lights. :) (The shades are white on my lights.)

check out visual comfort. Neenas is having some close out pricing on their fixtures. excellent quality and style. the pendant are a big visual statement and probably worth getting what you want if you can swing it. For what it's worth, I see a big difference design-wise between the $40 fixture and the other two you posted.

http://www.neenaslighting.com/product.aspx?model=2203-02-00181

http://www.neenaslighting.com/types.aspx?Keyword=pendant%20fixture&Search=VisualComfortCloseOut&SelectedKeywords=

on closer inspection, the Neenas price isn't as good as I thought it would be. They make you add on $$$ for the glass shade. www.lightingnewyork.com is where I got my visual comfort light fixtures for good pricing in case you like this brand.

I have the Murray Feiss pendant pluckymama suggested (Parker Place collection). It just arrived last week, and I opened the box to inspect it (haven't hung it yet). For the cost, I was a little disappointed. I think the retail was over $300 (I paid about $175 on sale). I like the looks of it, but I was surpised at how thin the metal is (I got the brushed steel). It is kind of "tinny" and vibrates when you flick it with your finger--I don't know, though, maybe this is how all metal pendants are. But I'm sure once it's hanging it will be fine. It just surprised me because Parker Place is one of Feiss's more expensive collections. But it didn't cost as much as some others, so with the money I saved from the sale, I think I'll be happy with it. Hope this helps.

I'll second Kompy's recommendation to check out Rejuvenation. For pendants, you can specify the length, in addition to having 12 finishes to choose from and many different shades. And the fixtures are brass.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rejuvenation