How To Make A Jewellery Candle

How to Make a Jewelry Candle: A Step-by-Step Guide

Jewellery candles are an exciting and creative way to combine the beauty of candles with the thrill of discovering hidden treasures. These candles are designed to reveal a piece of jewellery embedded inside as the candle burns down, offering a fun surprise at the end of the burning process. Jewellery candles make fantastic gifts, party favours, or a delightful treat for yourself. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make your jewellery candle, this step-by-step guide will show you how to create a stunning candle that contains a hidden gem.

Creating a jewellery candle is a straightforward process, but it does require some special materials and attention to detail. Let’s dive in and learn how to make a jewellery candle that not only adds ambience to your space but also unveils a beautiful piece of jewellery.

Materials You Will Need

To get started on your jewellery candle project, you’ll need the following materials:

1. Wax: Choose the type of wax you prefer for your candle. Soy wax is a great option as it burns cleanly and is easy to work with. You can also use paraffin wax, beeswax, or palm wax.

2. Candle Wick: A wick is necessary to ensure that your candle burns evenly. Choose a wick size appropriate for your container and the amount of wax you plan to use.

3. Jewelry: This is the most exciting part! You’ll need small, jewelry-sized items that can fit inside the candle. Jewellery such as rings, earrings, or pendants is ideal. Be sure to place the jewellery in a heat-resistant, non-toxic pouch to keep it safe while the candle is burning.

4. Fragrance Oils: Adding fragrance to your candle will enhance the atmosphere. Choose your favourite scent, such as lavender, vanilla, or citrus.

5. Candle Dye (Optional): If you want your candle to have a specific colour, you can use candle dye. This step is optional, but it allows you to customize your candle to match your decor or personal preference.

6. Thermometer: It’s important to monitor the temperature of your wax to ensure it’s at the correct temperature for pouring and adding fragrance.

7. Double Boiler or Microwave-Safe Container: A double boiler helps melt the wax evenly, while a microwave-safe container can be used for smaller batches.

8. Stirring Utensil: You’ll need something to stir the melted wax, fragrance, and colourant if you’re using it.

9. Container: A heat-resistant glass jar or container is necessary to pour the wax into. This is where the jewellery will be hidden. You can use mason jars, glass votive holders, or other containers that suit your style.

10. Glue Gun (Optional): If necessary, you can use a glue gun to secure the wick to the bottom of the container, ensuring it stays centred during the pouring process.
    

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Jewelry Candle

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Start by setting up a clean and organized workspace. Cover your surface with newspaper or disposable paper towels to catch any wax spills. Ensure that your containers, wicks, and other tools are easily accessible. Safety first – work in a well-ventilated area, especially if you're using fragrance oils and dyes.

Step 2: Prepare the Container and Wick

Select a heat-resistant container for your candle. A mason jar, glass jar, or small glass tumbler works well for jewellery candles. Using a glue gun or a bit of melted wax, secure the wick to the bottom centre of the container. The wick should be centred and straight, as this will ensure that the candle burns evenly. If you don’t have a glue gun, you can also tie the wick to a pencil or chopstick and place it across the top of the container to keep it centred.

Step 3: Prepare the Jewelry

Before you start melting the wax, place the jewellery that you want to hide inside the candle in a small, heat-resistant pouch. You can use small organza bags or any type of heat-resistant fabric. Ensure that the jewellery is fully enclosed in the pouch to prevent it from being damaged or melting. The jewellery should be small enough to fit easily in the container but large enough to make a pleasant surprise when revealed.

Step 4: Melt the Wax

Now it’s time to melt your wax. You can use a double boiler or a microwave-safe container. If using a double boiler, fill the bottom pot with water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place the wax in the top pot or container, stirring occasionally as it melts. If using the microwave, heat the wax in short 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until it’s fully melted.

Use a thermometer to monitor the wax temperature. Soy wax typically melts at around 120°F to 180°F (49°C to 82°C), so make sure the wax is in this temperature range before proceeding.

Step 5: Add Fragrance and Dye (Optional)

Once the wax has melted, you can add fragrance oils and colour. For fragrance, add around 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax. Stir it well to ensure the fragrance is evenly distributed throughout the wax. If you want your candle to have colour, now is the time to add dye. Stir in a small amount of candle dye until the desired colour is reached. Be cautious with the dye to avoid over-saturation, as you want the wax to be a nice, even hue.

Step 6: Pour the Wax into the Container

Before pouring, make sure your wick is centred and stable. Slowly pour the melted wax into the container, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top. It’s essential to pour the wax carefully to avoid splashing and to ensure an even surface.

Let the wax cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes until it begins to firm up but is still soft. At this stage, you can gently push the jewellery pouch into the wax. Make sure the jewellery is centred in the wax, with the pouch submerged but not touching the sides or bottom of the container. This ensures the jewelry is safely hidden in the center of the candle, so it won’t be exposed too early.

Step 7: Let the Candle Set

Allow the wax to cool and harden completely. This can take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours, depending on the size of your container. During the cooling process, avoid moving the candle to prevent the wax from shifting or the wick from becoming misaligned.

Once the wax has set, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the surface of the candle. This will ensure a clean burn and prevent the wick from becoming too long.

Step 8: Add a Decorative Touch (Optional)

While your candle is still setting, you can get creative and add extra decorative touches to the top of the candle. For example, you can sprinkle some glitter, add small dried flowers, or even top it with small beads. These decorative details will make your jewellery candle even more beautiful and personalized.

Step 9: Let the Candle Fully Cure

While the candle will be ready to use after the wax has set, allowing it to cure for a few more days will result in a better burn. This is especially important if you’re planning to gift the candle, as it will help the wax and fragrance bind together more thoroughly.

Step 10: Light and Enjoy Your Jewelry Candle

Once the candle has fully cured and you are ready to use it, light the wick and watch as the candle burns down. Over time, the wax will melt, revealing the hidden jewellery inside. This is where the magic happens! Depending on the size of the jewellery and the burn time, it might take a few hours to uncover the prize.

Step 11: Reveal the Jewelry

Once the wax has melted sufficiently, you can carefully retrieve the pouch containing the jewellery. Gently pull it out and open it to reveal the surprise inside. The jewellery can be anything from a ring to a pair of earrings or a necklace, so the thrill of discovery adds an exciting element to the experience.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• Avoid Overheating the Wax: Be mindful not to overheat your wax. If the wax gets too hot, it could affect the fragrance and burn quality of the candle.

• Test Burn: If you're new to candle making, it's a good idea to perform a test burn before creating several jewellery candles. This ensures that the wick size and fragrance are appropriate.

• Choose Jewelry Wisely: The jewellery should be small and durable enough to withstand the heat of a burning candle. Avoid using delicate or non-heat-resistant materials.
  

Conclusion

Making your jewellery candle is a fun and rewarding project that combines the art of candle-making with the excitement of revealing a hidden treasure. Whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or enjoying them for yourself, jewellery candles offer a unique and creative way to add a little extra sparkle to your space. With just a few simple materials and a little bit of patience, you can create candles that are both beautiful and full of surprises!