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Types Of Wax
Need help choosing the right wax for your candle making adventure ?!
You want to make your own candle but you don't know what kind of wax you can use. Here are some suggestions for beginners. The main rule is: try and see. To err is not a big deal as long as your wax is not reaching its flash point. And you can always re-melt the wax you’re not pleased with and make a better mixture by adding more wax or more additives, fragrances or dyes.
If you already have some wax at home and it doesn't suit your intentions, you can use additives to soften the wax (Petrolatum, Soft Microcrystalline wax) or to make it harder (Vybar, Clear Crystals, Plastic additives, Hard Microcrystalline wax, Stearic Acid (stearine) or a Universal Additive).
Additives can help you make a candle you want because they can change some of the characteristics of waxes. They are used in various amounts. Check out the types of additives for more info.
Paraffin wax
Around 95 percent of candles that you can buy are made of paraffin wax. It’s the most common wax used by candle makers mostly because it is relatively inexpensive, especially the paraffin wax which is a byproduct of other products produced by the refineries. That kind of praffin wax is sold in 10 lb. or 11 lb. blocks which are not always of the same shape, size, color, and surface texture. There are also differences in hardness (hard, medium and soft waxes) and thus, in wax melt point (the harder the wax is, the higher is its melt point). Color of paraffin wax is usually milky white, though it can also be bought precolored and prescented, or you can add the dyes and scents yourself. Paraffin wax can also be found in forms of wax crystals, often with colors and additives for hardening already mixed into the wax, so there is no need for melting.Beeswax
Beeswax candles are highly renowned because of their natural aroma resembling honey and because of their beautiful glow. They last much longer than paraffin wax candles, but since it is not as available as paraffin, beeswax is a bit more expensive. You can buy beeswax in forms of blocks, chunks, beads or sheets. Beeswax in sheets doesn't need to be melted, it can be hand rolled into candles. The color of beeswax also resembles various shades of honey, and beeswax sheets can be found precolored as well - there is an extensive choice, including pastels, metallics...Soy wax
Soybean wax is a natural wax, one of the newest candle waxes. Soy candle wax is made from a pure 100% natural soybean base and contains no herbicides or pesticides. In comparison to paraffin candle wax, soy candles burn cleaner, with little or no carbon build up and it is less dangerous for people sensitive to allergies. They also burn more evenly and for a long time, some data say even 50% longer then paraffin candles. Candles made of soy wax can be scented with various fragrances and natural essences. They are often made with pure essential oils rather than with synthetic scents and make great aromatherapy candles. Soy candles have a creamy texture and they can also be colored, like all the other waxes.Palm wax
Palm wax was developed in 1990s, soon after soy wax. It burns with no soot and makes beautiful candles, with stabile colors, especially when used alone for candle making. Palm wax also burns very clear and quite long, almost as long as beeswax candles. It is often used in combinations with some other natural waxes like beeswax and soy wax.Bayberry wax
Bayberry candle wax is made from two types of Bayberry shrubs, the Northern Bayberry and Southern Bayberry. It is quite expensive, but it has a beautiful natural aroma, and its natural color is olive green. It is often recommended to mix bayberry wax with beeswax.Gel wax
Gel wax for gel candles is made from gelled mineral oils and plastic polymer. It is rather tricky to manage its melting, so it is not recommended for beginners. Candles made from gel wax are usually rubbery and transparent, with small bubbles within. They are very interesting because there is the possibility of embedding all kinds of non flammable objects into them (marbles, pebbles, glitter sprinkles, wax fruit). They also burn up to 5 times longer than their paraffin counterparts.Jelly wax
Jelly wax is a premade wax, with color and fragrance already mixed in. It is very interesting for use, especially to children. Jelly wax resembles hair gel and you can buy it in tubes.