Typical models use lightweight plastics and acrylic for the star body with wire framing; some listings also note glass bulbs as part of the construction.
They use clear mini-style bulbs (including wide-angle minis on some models) that produce a warm, candle-like glow. Common bulb counts shown in listings are 11 or 21 bulbs.
They typically include mounting pieces such as a tube or a clear cone that fits over the top of the tree to secure the topper in place.
Most listings include replacement bulbs and spare fuses; some models also include a mounting cone or tube for attaching the topper to the tree.
Designs range from gold tinsel, nostalgic stars with sparkly borders to clear crystal-style stars. Some are one-sided, others double-sided, and a number of models are described as 8-point stars.