How To Put Jewellery In A Candle?

How to Put Jewelry in a Candle: A Step-by-Step Guide

In recent years, the trend of embedding jewellery inside candles has grown immensely popular. Not only do these candles provide the soothing ambience of a traditional candle, but they also offer the added surprise and excitement of a hidden treasure inside. Whether it’s a special ring, necklace, bracelet, or charm, the concept of embedding jewellery into candles has transformed how we experience both fragrance and surprise.

If you're wondering how to put jewellery in a candle and want to create your DIY jewellery candles, this guide will walk you through the process step by step. You'll learn about the materials, the tools needed, and the precautions to take, as well as the best tips for ensuring your jewellery remains safe while hidden in the wax.

What You’ll Need to Make Your Jewelry Candle

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to gather all the materials you’ll need to create a jewellery candle. Here's a checklist:

1. Wax: The primary ingredient for your candle. You can use paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, or a blend, depending on your preference. Soy wax is commonly used for DIY candles due to its clean-burning properties and ease of use.

2. Fragrance Oils: Choose your favourite scents to infuse into the candle. If you want a strong fragrance, select a candle-specific fragrance oil designed for use with wax.

3. Wicks: The wick will be responsible for burning the candle. Cotton wicks are commonly used, though wood wicks are also an option if you prefer a crackling sound as the candle burns.

4. Jewellery: The piece of jewellery you want to embed. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets are common choices. The jewellery must be heat-resistant and placed in a protective, non-flammable wrapper to keep it safe.

5. Double Boiler or Microwave: Used for melting the wax. A double boiler is recommended for even heating and preventing overheating.

6. Heat-resistant Wrapping or Foil: The jewellery needs to be protected from direct heat. Aluminium foil or small heat-resistant plastic bags work well to wrap and protect the jewellery.

7. Container or Mold: This will hold your wax while it solidifies. It could be a mason jar, a tin can, or any other heatproof container you like.

8. Thermometer (Optional): To ensure the wax doesn’t overheat, especially if you're melting it in a microwave or double boiler.
   

Steps to Put Jewelry in a Candle

Now that you have everything ready, let’s go through the process of putting jewellery in a candle, step by step.

1. Prepare Your Jewelry

The first step is to prepare the jewellery you want to hide inside the candle. Here's what you need to keep in mind:

• Select Heat-Resistant Jewelry: The jewellery should be made of a material that can withstand the heat of the candle without being damaged. Sterling silver, stainless steel, and some types of costume jewellery work well, but delicate pieces like those with gemstones may not fare well with the high heat of burning wax.

• Wrap the Jewelry: Protect the jewellery by wrapping it in a heat-resistant material. The most common method is to use a small piece of aluminium foil. This protects the jewellery from direct exposure to heat while still allowing the wax to surround it. Alternatively, small heat-resistant plastic bags or pouches are also available for this purpose. Ensure that the wrapping is tight enough to keep the jewellery in place but loose enough to allow the wax to melt around it.

  
  

2. Melt the Wax

Next, you’ll need to melt the wax. You can use a double boiler or microwave to achieve this.

• Double Boiler Method: Place the wax into the top pot of a double boiler, and fill the bottom pot with water. Heat the water over medium heat, and allow the wax to melt. Stir occasionally to ensure the wax melts evenly and doesn’t burn.

• Microwave Method: If you're using a microwave, place the wax in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the wax in 30-second intervals, stirring between each session until the wax is fully melted.

The wax should be melted at a temperature of about 170-180°F (77-82°C), but it's important to use a thermometer to monitor the temperature to avoid overheating the wax, which can cause it to smoke or discolour.

3. Add Fragrance Oils (Optional)

Once the wax is fully melted, you can add fragrance oils to infuse your candle with a pleasant scent. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct amount of fragrance oil, as using too much can cause the wax to become too soft or lead to an overpowering scent.

Stir the fragrance oils into the melted wax thoroughly to ensure that the scent is evenly distributed throughout.

4. Secure the Wick

Before you pour the wax, it’s time to secure the wick in place. Use a wick holder or simply tie the top of the wick to a pencil or skewer placed across the top of the container or mould. This ensures that the wick stays centred as the candle sets.

Make sure that the wick is long enough to extend a couple of inches above the container, so it can be trimmed later.

5. Pour the Wax into the Container

Carefully pour the melted wax into the container, leaving some space at the top for any additional layers or the jewellery. You may want to pour the wax slowly to avoid bubbles and splashes.

At this point, the wax should still be liquid, but the key is to allow it to set just a little before placing the jewellery inside.

6. Insert the Jewelry

Once the wax has cooled slightly but is still soft enough, place the wrapped jewellery into the wax. It’s essential to make sure the jewellery does not touch the sides or bottom of the container. If it does, it could melt the wax unevenly or create a hollow spot around the jewellery.

Gently press the jewellery into the wax so that it’s embedded without disturbing the wick or the overall shape of the candle.

7. Let the Wax Cool Completely

Now, you’ll need to allow the wax to cool and harden completely. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight, depending on the size of the candle and the ambient temperature. As the wax cools, it will solidify around the jewellery, locking it in place.

8. Trim the Wick

Once the wax is fully hardened, you can trim the wick to about ¼ inch above the surface of the candle. This will ensure that the candle burns evenly and doesn’t produce too much smoke.

9. Reveal the Jewelry

The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived! Light the candle and allow it to burn for a few hours, keeping a close eye on it. As the candle burns, the wax will gradually melt, and the jewellery will eventually be exposed. If the jewellery is located deeper in the candle, it may take a bit longer for the wax to reveal it.

Once the jewellery is fully exposed, extinguish the candle. Allow it to cool down before unwrapping the jewellery from the protective wrapping.

Tips and Safety Precautions

• Test Wax Temperature: Always test the wax temperature before embedding jewellery to ensure it’s not too hot, as this can damage the jewellery.

• Use Proper Jewelry Materials: Be sure to use jewellery that can withstand heat. Avoid gemstones or other materials that may not hold up to the temperature of the burning wax.

• Work in a Well-Ventilated Area: Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated space, especially when using fragrance oils or dyes, to avoid inhaling any fumes.

• Don’t Leave Burning Candles Unattended: Always monitor the candle while it's burning. Never leave it unattended, as the wax can spill or cause a fire hazard if left unchecked.
  

Conclusion

Making jewellery candles is a fun and creative project that adds an exciting twist to the traditional candle-making process. Whether you're creating candles for yourself or as gifts for others, the thrill of discovering hidden jewellery adds an element of surprise and enjoyment to the experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide and taking the necessary precautions, you can create beautiful jewellery candles that are not only a treat for the eyes and the nose but also a fun treasure hunt for those who burn them. Happy crafting!