- Many people who use candles simply make the purchase and light the candle. Very little thought goes into this process and really other than safety, that's how most consumer goods are treated.

In an effort to help people better understand the science of candles below is a glossary of terms used with candles.

Basic Candle Glossary

Candle - wax cylinder providing light
Wick - material holding fuel that burns

Type of Candle Glossary

Container Candle - any candle that is poured into a heat resistant container
Votive Candle - a small candle that is generally around 2 ounces and burned in a tight fitting holder
Tealight - a small 1 to 1.5 inch diameter candle
Pillar - a well formed candle that is burned free standing without a container, however it should be put on a heat resistant pillar plate
Taper - a tall thin candle (dinner candle) that must be secured in the proper holder
Speciality - 3 dimensional novelty candles
Luminary - Candles used outdoors
Wickless - candles that are used by melting using an alternative heat source, also known as tarts or melts

Candle Terms Glossary

Scent Throw - This term is used to describe the candles ability to disburse fragrance into the room. You may hear the term Cold Scent Throw which is the fragrance strength when the candle isn't burning and Hot Scent Throw which is the fragrance strength when the candle is lit.
Melt Point - This is the temperature at which the wax must reach in order to melt. Different types of waxes have different melt points.
Flash Point - The lowest temperature which will cause a candle to ignite.
Mottling - splotches that resemble a snowflake in wax, when you see this, the candle has a high quantity of oil.
Pooling - Refers to the formation of a pool of wax while the candle is burning.

Candle Wax Glossary

Candle wax is divided into three major categories. Paraffin, which is the most commonly used wax for making candles. Veggie Wax which encompasses the Soy, Bees and Veggie family. And Mineral Oil-based which is your gel candles.

Each type of wax has good and bad features and the trick for all Candle Makers is to find the blend that produces the specific candle features they are looking to produce.

Paraffin Wax - derived from processing Petroleum. A Natural Wax but not a renewable resource.
Soy Wax - Natural wax used for high end candle making. Soy Wax is a renewable resource.
Vegetable Wax - Another Natural wax which is a renewable resource.