History of Candles and Types of Candle Waxes – Part One

Wax manufacturers create a variety of waxes according to needs of businesses. Candles utilize large amount of wax. Candles have been with us from ages. They have undergone a number of transformation. Right from the pre-electricity era they have been providing light to the mankind. Today, a candle has evolved more as a luxury than a necessity. Used for decorative purposes, they are creatively designed in various forms.

History of candles and waxes:

Wax manufacturers have been supplying wax for candles from around five millennia. Candles were mainly used in ancient Egypt in their most primitive form. Egyptians used pulpy core reeds immersed in melted animal fat and lit them to get light. History shows that beeswax candles were used in China during Tang dynasty. They created a mixture using insect and seed, and made wick out of paper tubes and rolled rice paper. The Japanese made wax using tree nuts, whereas in India wax was gained by boiling cinnamon.

Wax manufacturers, during the old times, created wax from oils, fats, and substances with waxy properties. 

Natural sources of wax- Plants, rocks, animals, and insects

Waxes have hydrocarbon elements, no matter the source from which they are extracted. Mainly there are two types of waxes

1. Natural – Palmwaxes and beeswaxes are natural and they run longer with less smoke. However, they are very expensive.

2. Synthetic - Paraffin is an artificially made wax sold at cheap rates. To gain different qualities of wax, paraffin is mixed with additives, which are used to hold the candle and make it burn longer. They not only bind the dye but also enable wax manufacturers to mix fragrance oil with wax.

When additives are added to paraffin wax in right amounts one can expect good results. If one is allergic to paraffin, then they go for candles made using mineral-oil or gels.

Following are the different types of wax used to manufacture candles:

Palm wax:

It is used in making longest burning candles and derived from vegetables. Producing a brighter flame, it doesn't create soot when burning. However, it is challenging to create candles using palm wax. Candles with palm wax burn a hole in your pocket.

Soy wax: 

Akin to palm wax, candles made from soy wax burn slowly and produce almost no soot. However, the scent of soybean might irritate some people. Soy candles are not purely soy wax based as they may contain 20 percent soy and other waxes.

Pure Beeswax:

Being derived from honeybees, beeswax helps making candles which burn without any soot. With a natural honey aroma they make your senses traverse in a different world. Beeswax candles, mostly used during Christmas, are usually considered as a luxury.

Bayberry: 

This is a treasured and a rare form of wax with its history dating back to colonial times. Exuding nature's scent of freshly mown grass, they exhilarate your senses. They are usually used for New Year decor. It is said that bayberry wax candles lighted during Christmas Eve invite blessings and prosperity.

We will look at further types of waxes in our upcoming blog post.