One of the things I do is make candles, pure 100% beeswax candles. No other candle wax produces as good a candle as beeswax, but over the years I've discovered that not all beeswax candles are as good as they should be. People buying them are being conned.

Here are 5 things you should look for when buying beeswax candles

1. Is it really all pure beeswax?

Most candles are made using blended waxes and usually contain mostly paraffin wax. Beeswax, a natural and superior wax for candle making, is much more expensive. If you don't see beeswax mentioned on the label, you won't have beeswax in the candle. If it does say beeswax look a little more closely. I've seen candles labelled as '100% pure beeswax' only to find that the candle contains this, but only as 10% of the waxes in the candle - the rest were paraffin waxes!


2. Has the wick been primed?

Not always easy to tell from a photograph, but obvious if you can actually see the candle. Priming a wick isn't difficult, but it's an extra step in making a candle and so many candle makers don't bother. As a result, their candles don't light as easily, especially the first time. It still matters even if you never intend to burn your candle; unprimed wick frays. So how can you tell if the wick has been primed? A primed wick has been soaked in wax before being used to make the candle. A wick primed for beeswax will have the colour of beeswax. If the wick is white, it definitely hasn't been primed.

Don't forget that natural beeswax comes in a variety of shades; properly primed wick made be a different shade to the candle it's in!


3.Has it got the right wick?

Not easy to tell by looking, but you'll get the best burn from a beeswax candle if the wick used has been made for beeswax and not paraffin or other waxes. The braiding to make the wick is different.

The size of wick is also important; too large and the candle will burn too quickly; too small and the flame will be weak or molten wax will smoother the candle and stop it burning. Candle testing is the only way to be certain the wick is right.


4.Are the candles tested?

Testing a candle means burning it so obviously the candle you're thinking of buying won't have been tested, but the maker should have tested candles like it. Testing ensures the candle has the right wick, that it lights and re-lights easily and how long the candle burns for among other things. If the candle hasn't been tested, how do they know it's right and more importantly, how do you?


5. How has the candle been made?

Most candles are made in moulds, but not all. They produce very good candles with good burn times. Rolled candles burn quicker, because, no matter how tightly they're rolled, there is some air between the layers. The longest lasting candles are hand dipped. A skilled candle dipper can ensure there are no air bubbles at all in their candle. This is very labour intensive and rare these days - be prepared to pay more for a candle like this.