Nowadays, with the growing popularity of candle making, the need for candle making wax has increased significantly. The passage of time has also contributed to the increase in range of candle making from designs to components. People are continually in search of the “new thing” and because wax is the primary component in candle making, new enhancements have been made to make candle making wax become better, more available, and with more range and variety than before.
As the old adage goes: “Progress springs from the acknowledgment of your roots.” Let’s delve deeper into these assortment of waxes used in candle making.
One of the first choices that an aspiring candle maker/entrepreneur is going to be faced with is what candle making wax to choose.
Candle wax is generally available in 4 varieties:
* Paraffin Wax
* Soy Wax
* Beeswax
* Gel Wax
* Palm Wax
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is almost synonymous to candle wax as it is the a good number widely used of all waxes. It comes in a variety of melt points which are useful for many different applications such as votives, pillars, and containers.Majority of the commercially produced candles you buy in stores today are all paraffin – based. But, it is not universally accepted these days. Paraffin wax is a by-product of crude oil, and eco – friendly folks often identify it as “bad” just because it is a cousin of petroleum. When trying to decide on what type of wax to use, keep in mind that not all products that are related to petroleum is necessarily toxic.
Soy Wax
Soy wax is a newbie on the candle making hemisphere…but has taken already made a daring statement. With the influx of demand for “natural” candles rising, soy wax was developed in the early 90s as an option/substitute to the petroleum-conceived paraffin, and the eco – friendly, but high-priced, beeswax. Similar to paraffin, soy wax is available in a wide range of combination and melting points — although container blends are considered as the a large amount popular. Most of the soy waxes are created from 100 percent soybean oil while some are combined with other waxes like coconut, vegetable and beeswax and palm.
Beeswax
Beeswax is the grandfather of all candle making waxes. Beeswax candles have been discovered within the pyramids of Egypt. It was the ancient man’s first plastic and for many years has been primarily used as a modeling material. As bees make honey, they produce beeswax. The bees excrete the wax into “combs” for the purpose of incubating their larvae. As a result, beeswax gives off a sweet fragrance which differs based on the kind of plants or flowers that the bees consume. Once harvested, the beeswax undergoes filtering and melting several times. Beeswax can be bought in blocks or slabs, very much like paraffin.
Gel Wax
In reality, gel wax is not a wax at all, it is an exciting mixture of mineral oil and resin. The Penreco Company owns the patent for this particular wax kind. Gel wax shares many similarities to other waxes. Like other wax forms, it has scent and color, melts and burns. The main difference is the transparency factor of gel, making it a distinct and unique candle wax. In the past, gel wax is generally used to make container candles. Today, wax manufacturers have developed the wax’s strength and resiliency that it can be made as pillars.
Palm Wax
Palm wax normally shares certain similarities to soy wax. Both of them are made from all-natural oil, on the other hand, palm oil is added when creating palm wax. 75% of palm oil is harvested on a worldwide scale and is used as a component in food. The rest of them are used to make agricultural and commercial products. Palm wax is also a widely used ingredient used to make votives and villars since it is brittle and firm. The effect is also produces on the candles is quite beautiful because of the crystalline appearance it renders. It can also be blended with soy wax to make it more solid while still successfully maintaining its natural properties.
The availability of different candle making wax offers candle makers with more selections, making it easier for them to choose the medium that will serve them best. A thorough and clear understanding of each will also give way to a higher form of appreciation for the candle making industry and everything else associated with it.
About the Author
Kim Montgomery loves candles and is passionate about sharing that love with others. Discover more expert tips and secrets about candle making wax and all that you need to know about creating your own perfect candles with her popular free ecourse, available at http://www.candlemakingshop-onalbertstreet.com/
