Ceresin wax is a mineral-based microcrystalline fossil wax offering unique properties for candle making and other applications. Mined from lignite coal deposits like ozokerite, ceresin wax has been commercially used for over a century thanks to its versatile waxy nature. Its source, characteristics, and uses make ceresin an intriguing candle ingredient.

What is Ceresin Wax?

Ceresin wax refers to a purified, microcrystalline lignite-derived mineral wax containing saturated hydrocarbons and a small portion of wax esters. Ozokerite, a related mineral wax compound, makes up a large portion of ceresin wax. Producers mine raw ozokerite before refining and filtering into ceresin meeting industrial specifications.

Where Does Ceresin Come From?

While ozokerite pockets exist in select regions like Utah and Asia, ceresin draws broadly from global lignite coal deposits through specialty refining processes seeking to isolate the waxy content into ceresin. With abundant reserves, production occurs on nearly every continent, including China, Europe, and South America.

How is Ceresin Made?

Ceresin  production utilizes mining methods to extract lignite coal deposits containing raw ozokerite wax. After isolating the crude wax using solvent extraction techniques, intensive multi-stage chemical and filtration processes purify ceresin wax to meet standards. Controlled hydrocracking methods also produce ceresin-based products.

What are Ceresin Candles?

As a microcrystalline wax, pure ceresin wax makes excellent votive and pillar candles, along with wax blends. The very high melt point suits processes like repeatedly dipping candles to build up layers. As it solidifies, ceresin’s fine grain structure gives a smooth matte finish. The versatile wax also blends well with paraffin and bee waxes while burning slowly.

Is Ceresin Good for Candles?

With specialty properties, ceresin serves candlemaking in several unique ways. The extremely high melt point above 150°F makes an excellent wax for molded and hand-dipped candles. Crystallization also helps achieve intricate embossed relief designs that unmold easily from glass and metal. Hot-burning ceresin provides bright candle flames as well.

Benefits of Ceresin Candles

• Hard, Durable Wax – Ceresin cures into a dense, long-lasting wax composite for candles.
• Excellent Surface Adhesion – The smooth ceresin wax evenly coats surfaces while solidifying.
• Slow & Even Burn Rates – Microcrystalline ceresin structure provides controlled burning.
• Hot, Intense Flame – Strong capillary action gives ceresin candles a hot luminous flame.
• Easy Color Dispersion – Ceresin readily absorbs a variety of oil and powder dyes.

Best Ceresin Wax for Candles

Seeking refined, high-grade ceresin wax ensures purity and quality for candlemaking. Top commercial choices like Strahl & Pitsch satisfy pharmacopeia standards for microcrystalline ceresin, with melt points between 150°-180°F desired for hand-dipping candles to achieve intricate designs.

Ceresin Wax Candles DIY

Crafting ceresin candles requires essentials like wax, wicks, molds, dyes, and scent.

• Carefully melt ceresin wax to about 170°F before adding powder or liquid dye.
• Then pour into candle molds holding wicks centered.
• Allow thick layers to fully set up before gently unmolding finished candles.
• Now trim wicks before use.

Why is Ceresin Wax Used for Candles?

• Hard, Durable Wax – Dense ceresin makes incredibly long-lasting candles.
• Controlled Burning – The microcrystalline structure burns slowly and evenly.
• Hot-Burning – Ceresin gives candles brighter, hotter flames.
• Easy Color Addition – The refined wax accepts dyes readily.
• Surface Adhesion – Ceresin smoothly coats all candle mold surfaces.

How to Use Ceresin for Candles

• Melt ceresin using the double boiler method at 10° over the listed melt point, stirring well.
• Monitor temperature carefully when adding powder or liquid dyes.
• Allow the wax to briefly cool to 150°F before carefully pouring a thin stream into candle molds to minimize air bubbles.
• Let candles fully cure for 48 hours before gently unmolding pieces.
• Wrap wicks using pre-tabbed stickers before burning finished candles.

Why is Ceresin Wax So Expensive?

In addition to small batch wax production, intensive mining, and extensive processing significantly influence ceresin pricing well above typical candle waxes. As a rare petrochemical commodity meeting exacting standards, sourcing refined ceresin adds costs. The capital intensity of multi-stage hydrocracking and filtration processes also factors into wholesale ceresin pricing upwards of $5-10 per pound generally.

Ceresin Candle Recipe

This simple votive candle formula highlights versatile ceresin. Makes 12 votives.

• 2 lbs ceresin wax pellets
• 1.5 oz powder candle dye – desired colors
• 3 oz candle fragrance oil

Directions

• Melt ceresin to 175°F in a double boiler, stirring completely.
• Mix in powders as wax liquefies fully.
• Split colored wax between separate pouring pitchers.
• Add fragrance oils.
• Carefully pour colors into votive molds.
• Cool completely before unmolding.

Environmental Impact

As a petrochemical byproduct, ceresin garners environmental concerns over renewability and mining impacts. Yet the wax gets recovered during lignite-based chemical production, avoiding new resource extraction specifically for ceresin wax. Waste-stream reclamation helps reduce the ecological footprint of ceresin compared to wholly mined minerals.

Beeswax vs Ceresin Wax

Source

Beeswax is 100% natural, made by honey bees to build honeycomb structures. Ceresin wax is a petroleum-based fossilized mineral wax.

Scent

Beeswax has a sweet, rich honey aroma. Refined ceresin wax has very little detectable scent.

Appearance

Natural beeswax ranges from yellow to brown hues. Ceresin is an opaque white.

Burn Properties

Beeswax burns slowly with a bright steady flame. Hot-burning ceresin makes exceptionally luminous candles.

Price

Rare artisanal beeswax remains costly for candlemaking. While still pricier than paraffin, ceresin wax costs less due to higher volume production.

Sustainability Concerns

Renewable beeswax aligns better with eco-standards than non-renewable mined ceresin wax.

Soy Wax vs Ceresin Wax

Source

Soy wax utilizes hydrogenated soybean oil. Ceresin is a petroleum-based mineral byproduct.

Scent

Soy wax has a faint nutty/beany fragrance. Ceresin has virtually no detectable scent.

Appearance

Soy wax looks creamy white to yellow. Ceresin wax is an opaque white.

Burn Properties

Soy wax burns evenly with a good scent throw. Hot-burning ceresin wax makes intensely bright candles.

Price

Inexpensive soy wax remains the economical choice. Premium ceresin costs multiples more per pound.

Sustainability Concerns

Soy wax, as a bio-based wax, aligns better with eco-standards than non-renewable ceresin.

With outstanding structural density and hot luminous burns, versatile ceresin wax makes excellent votives and hand-formed candles when an artisanal material can justify the premium price. Yet petrochemical sourcing controversy remains over ceresin sustainability. Innovations in mining byproduct reclamation help mitigate the deepest impacts for now.