What Is A High Quality Candle?

What is a High Quality Candle?

A high quality candle is one that is made with premium ingredients, has an excellent burn time, appealing fragrance, and pleasing aesthetics. The key characteristics that set apart a high end candle include the wax, wick, vessel, and fragrance used in its production. When combined thoughtfully, these elements create a candle that provides an exceptional sensory experience through beautiful ambiance, inviting aroma, and consistent performance.

Ingredients

The main ingredients that go into a high quality candle are the wax, oils, and scents.

There are several common types of candle wax, including:

• Soy wax – Made from soybeans, this natural wax has a low melting point and holds scent well. It’s commonly used for container candles. (https://www.marthastewart.com/8061950/candle-wax-type-guide)
• Paraffin wax – A petroleum-based wax, paraffin wax is inexpensive and makes candles that burn cleanly. However, it doesn’t hold scent as well as natural waxes. (https://shoparchipelago.com/blogs/blog/types-of-candle-wax)
• Beeswax – Made by bees, beeswax produces candles with a natural honey aroma. It’s expensive but highly prized for its natural properties. (https://shoparchipelago.com/blogs/blog/types-of-candle-wax)

High quality candles typically use wax blends to optimize properties like scent throw and burn time. Common oils used to scent candles include essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, citrus oils, and fragrance oils.

Wick

The wick is one of the most important components of a high quality candle. The material, braiding, and proper sizing of the wick all impact the candle’s burn and performance. Most modern candle wicks are made from cotton, with some using alternative natural fibers like hemp or wood pulp. Cotton offers excellent capillary action to absorb and deliver wax to the flame [1]. The braiding, or “ply”, of the wick affects rigidity and burn rate. Using the proper wick thickness for the wax and vessel diameter prevents issues like tunneling, mushrooming, or sooting. A too-small wick can drown and struggle to remain lit, while an oversized wick burns too hot and fast. The ideal wick provides an even, consistent flame and complete wax consumption. Testing different wick types and sizes during development helps ensure optimal performance in the finished candle.

Vessel

The vessel or container that holds the candle wax is an important factor in candle quality. The material, shape, and size of the vessel impact the candle’s appearance, burn time, and safety.

Common vessel materials include glass, metal, ceramic, and wood. Glass jars and containers allow the candle color and design to show through clearly. They also withstand high heat well. However, glass can break if dropped. Popular styles of glass jars include mason jars, apothecary jars, and round cylindrical jars (Source 1). Metals like tin and aluminum are durable and conduct heat evenly for clean burns. Intricately designed metal vessels add flair. Ceramics like terra cotta can hold unique shapes but may crack from heat exposure. Wood vessels bring natural beauty but can scorch or catch fire (Source 3).

Vessel shape impacts how the wax pools and burns. Tall, narrow jars allow for a focused wax pool while short, wide jars disperse heat more evenly. Small candle tins and containers provide portability while large statement vessels allow ample wax volume and burn time. Vessel size should suit the candle’s intended use and setting.

Fragrance

The fragrance of a candle can make or break the overall experience. High quality candles use a blend of natural and synthetic fragrance oils to create complex, layered scents with good throw and longevity.

Natural fragrances contain ingredients derived from plants, flowers, spices, fruits, and other natural sources like essential oils and botanical extracts. They provide an authentic, pure scent but can be more subtle and fade faster than synthetic fragrances. According to Each & Every, natural fragrances are often used as top notes in candle blends.

Synthetic fragrances are artificially created in a lab to mimic natural scents. They are generally stronger, last longer, and have better scent throw than natural fragrances. As noted by We Do Act, synthetic fragrance oils allow for more complexity and consistency in candle scents. However, some synthetic fragrances use harmful chemicals. High quality candles balance natural and synthetic fragrances to create safe, long-lasting, bold scents.

The highest quality candles use a smart blend of natural and synthetic fragrance oils at optimal concentrations. This produces scents that are complex, authentic, long-lasting, and have excellent throw. Testing fragrance ratios and finding the right balance is key for candle makers seeking to maximize fragrance quality.

Appearance

The appearance of a high quality candle encompasses aspects like its color, finish, and texture.

Color is one of the most noticeable features of a luxury candle. Popular colors include whites, creams, and other natural tones that give an elegant and sophisticated look. More vivid colors like reds, blues, and purples can also create an eye-catching display when burning. The color should complement the fragrance and fit the overall aesthetic of the candle.

The finish of the wax also affects appearance. A smooth, glossy exterior with few blemishes demonstrates quality craftsmanship. The wax itself may have a translucent clarity that contributes to a polished look.

Texture is determined by the wax formulation. Harder waxes like soy and palm give a clean, solid appearance, while softer waxes like coconut and beeswax take on a creamier finish. The texture should match the intended effect, whether a bold solid candle or an invitingly warm, melting look.

As the candle burns down, the wax pool should retain an even, consistent surface. Any drips down the side should harden smoothly into the container. All these aspects come together to deliver a high-end, artisanal appearance.

Burn Time

The burn time refers to how long a candle will provide light before all the wax is melted and consumed. It depends on several factors like the size and shape of the candle, the type of wax used, and the wick size.

A key factor is the melt pool, which is the liquefied wax pool that forms around the wick as the candle burns. A bigger melt pool will burn the wax faster, while a smaller controlled melt pool extends burn time. Properly trimming the wick to 1⁄4 inch before each lighting helps control the melt pool size and rate of burning.

As a general guideline, a votive or container candle will provide anywhere from 15-30 hours of burn time per ounce of wax. Pillar candles tend to provide 40-50 hours of burn time per ounce. But the shape, diameter, and other factors can impact burn rates (source). Always check manufacturer guidance for a candle’s expected burn time.

Safety

Proper candle safety is crucial to prevent fires and injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), candles cause an estimated 8,000 home fires in the U.S. each year, resulting in around 80 deaths annually (NFPA).

To safely burn candles, it’s important to trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before every use. Long wicks can produce tall flames that quickly ignite the entire candle. Proper wick length prevents soot buildup, uneven burning, and excess dripping (Candles.org).

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Blow out candles whenever leaving a room or before going to bed, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything flammable and avoid drafts or vents that can cause rapid burning.

With cautious use and supervision, candles can be enjoyed safely by minimizing fire risks through proper wick trimming and never leaving them unattended.

Storage

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the quality and longevity of candles. According to Little Glass Jar, candles should be stored “in a cool, dry place” away from direct sunlight or heat sources which can negatively impact the wax and fragrance (1). It’s best to keep candles in an area with a temperature around 60-75°F. Storing candles in extreme heat or cold can cause the wax to sweat, losing its shape or separating from the wick.

Upright storage is also recommended so wax does not shift or become damaged, as noted by Soy Delicious (2). The fragrance also stays contained better when candles are stored upright versus laying horizontally. Make sure to store different scented candles separately so the fragrances do not mix. Cool cupboards away from kitchen heat provide ideal storage conditions.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several key factors that determine a high quality candle. The main components include high quality ingredients such as natural wax, cotton or wood wicks, and pure essential oils for fragrance. The vessel should be made from materials like glass, ceramic, or tin with clean lines and elegant design. Quality candles have complex, nuanced fragrances and good scent throw when burning. They burn cleanly, slowly, and evenly down to the bottom of the container. High quality candles are also safe, with proper wick trimming and storage to prevent issues. The craftsmanship and attention to detail elevate a quality candle from a basic one, offering an exceptional sensory experience.