How Do You Hide Jewellery In Candles?

Hiding jewellery in candles is a fun and creative way to combine the allure of a beautiful candle with the thrill of discovering a hidden treasure. This concept has gained popularity in recent years, especially with the rise of surprise jewellery candles. These candles offer a unique experience by embedding jewellery inside, which reveals itself as the wax melts away. Whether you're making these candles for a special gift, a business, or just for fun, the process is quite straightforward and can be a rewarding DIY project.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to hide jewellery in candles, what types of jewellery work best, and provide a step-by-step process to create your hidden jewellery candle.

1. Choosing the Right Jewelry

The first step in making a jewellery candle is selecting the right piece of jewellery to hide inside. You’ll want to choose something small enough to fit inside the candle without being visible from the outside. Here are a few considerations:

• Size: The jewellery needs to be small enough to fit comfortably within the candle mould. Rings, earrings, and necklaces with small pendants are common choices. Avoid using bulky or large items as they might interfere with the candle's integrity.

• Material: Since the jewellery will be exposed to heat as the candle burns, opt for materials that won’t be affected by the wax or heat. Gold, silver, stainless steel, and other high-quality metals are ideal. Avoid delicate pieces that could be damaged.

• Packaging: Wrapping the jewellery is essential to protect it from the wax and make sure it's easily retrievable once the candle has melted. Small foil packets or heat-resistant plastic bags work well to encase the jewellery.

  
  

2. Materials Needed to Make a Jewelry Candle

To make a hidden jewellery candle, you will need the following materials:

• Candle wax: Soy wax, beeswax, or paraffin wax can be used depending on your preference. Soy wax is a popular choice because it burns cleanly and is easy to work with.

• Candle wicks: Make sure to use the appropriate size wick for the size of your candle. The larger the candle, the thicker the wick should be.

• Candle dye (optional): If you want to colour your candles, you can add candle dye. This is entirely optional and depends on your desired aesthetic.

• Fragrance oil (optional): You can add scents to your candles to make them even more enjoyable. Essential oils or candle-specific fragrance oils work best.

• Jewellery: Choose the jewellery you want to hide in the candle, such as rings, earrings, or small necklaces.

• Heat-resistant packaging: Aluminum foil or small heat-resistant bags are necessary to wrap the jewellery.

• Candle mould or container: You can use glass jars, tins, or candle moulds. Just make sure the container is heat-resistant and sturdy enough to hold the melted wax.

• Double boiler: A double boiler or a microwave-safe container to melt the wax.

  
  

3. Preparing the Jewelry

Once you've chosen your jewellery, it’s essential to protect it from the wax. The wax is not harmful to most jewellery, but wrapping it ensures that the recipient can easily retrieve the jewellery and that it stays clean.

Here’s how to wrap the jewellery:

• Step 1: Wrap the piece of jewellery in aluminium foil or place it in a small, heat-resistant plastic bag. Make sure it is completely sealed so that no wax can seep in.

• Step 2: Test the size of the wrapped jewellery by placing it inside the candle mould or container. It should fit comfortably without touching the sides of the container.

• Step 3: Set the wrapped jewellery aside. You will insert it into the candle once the wax is partially cooled but still pliable.

  
  

4. Making the Candle

Now that you’ve prepared the jewellery, it’s time to make the candle. Follow these steps to create your hidden jewellery candle:

Step 1: Melt the Wax

• Start by melting the wax in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can use a microwave-safe container, heating the wax in short intervals and stirring frequently. Make sure the wax reaches the appropriate melting point (typically between 120-180°F, depending on the type of wax).

  
  

Step 2: Add Dye and Fragrance (Optional)

• If you’re using candle dye or fragrance oil, now is the time to add them to the melted wax. Stir the wax gently to evenly distribute the dye and scent. Avoid adding too much fragrance oil, as it can affect how the candle burns—usually, 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax is sufficient.

  
  

Step 3: Prepare the Wick

• While the wax is melting, secure the wick to the bottom of your candle mould or container. You can use a wick sticker or a small drop of melted wax to hold the wick in place. Ensure the wick is centred, as this will ensure an even burn. You can use a wick holder or a clothespin to keep the wick upright and centred while you pour the wax.

  
  

Step 4: Pour the Wax

• Once the wax has melted and the dye and fragrance are mixed in, carefully pour the wax into your candle container. Fill the container about halfway or a bit more, leaving enough room for the jewellery to be added later. Allow the wax to cool slightly, but don’t let it fully harden.

  
  

Step 5: Insert the Jewelry

• Once the wax is partially set (but still soft), gently insert the wrapped jewellery into the candle. Place it a little off-centre, but avoid touching the wick. Press the jewellery down into the wax, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Be careful not to disturb the wick.

  
  

Step 6: Add the Remaining Wax

• After placing the jewellery, pour the remaining wax into the container, covering the jewellery completely. Make sure the wick remains centred as you pour. Allow the candle to cool and set completely, which can take a few hours or overnight, depending on the size of the candle.

  
  

Step 7: Trim the Wick

• Once the candle has fully set and cooled, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. Your hidden jewellery candle is now ready!

  
  

5. How the Jewelry is Revealed

The excitement of a jewellery candle lies in the slow reveal of the hidden treasure. As the candle burns down, the person enjoying the candle will eventually see the wrapped jewellery peeking through the melted wax. Depending on the size of the candle and how often it's lit, it may take several hours or even days before the jewellery is fully revealed.

Once the jewellery is exposed, the person can use a pair of tweezers or a small tool to carefully retrieve the wrapped jewellery from the wax. After unwrapping the foil or opening the plastic bag, they’ll have a shiny piece of jewellery waiting for them!

6. Tips for Success

• Choose High-Quality Materials: The better the quality of your wax, wick, and fragrance, the more enjoyable the candle will be. Opt for materials that burn cleanly and evenly.

• Test Before Gifting or Selling: If you’re making jewellery candles as gifts or for sale, it’s a good idea to test one first to ensure that the jewellery is hidden correctly and the candle burns well.

• Use Jewelry as a Surprise: If you’re gifting the candle, don’t tell the recipient there’s jewellery inside. Let them enjoy the surprise when they discover it on their own!

  
  

Conclusion

Hiding jewellery in candles is a fun, creative, and thoughtful way to add an element of surprise to a beloved item. Whether you're crafting these candles as gifts, for special occasions, or even as a business venture, the process is straightforward and offers plenty of room for creativity. From selecting the jewellery to personalizing the scent and appearance of the candle, every step in the process can be tailored to create a one-of-a-kind experience for the recipient. Happy candle-making!