Five Bees Yard Handmade Raw Beeswax Striped Pillar Candle

Scandinavian-style striped pillar candles made by hand from 100% raw, triple-filtered beeswax. No fillers, no bleach, no machines - just what the bees produce.

Most "beeswax" candles on the market are a factory blend of cheap waxes and chemicals with only a small percentage of actual beeswax. These are the real thing - made by Five Bees Yard, a family of third-generation beekeepers in Hertfordshire, using nothing but pure raw beeswax and an unbleached cotton wick.

Because the wax is completely natural and unbleached, colour varies from light yellow to deep amber or brown depending on which part of the hive it came from and what the bees were foraging. Each candle is unique. Natural beeswax also develops a white bloom over time - this is a sign of quality, not a fault, and wipes off easily with a soft cloth.

Not suitable for vegans.

• Size: 9cm (h) x 4.5cm (w) - approx. 18-hour burn time
• 100% raw, triple-filtered beeswax - no fillers, chemicals or bleach
• Handmade in Hertfordshire by Five Bees Yard
• Unbleached cotton wick
• Plastic-free packaging

About Five Bees Yard

Five Bees Yard is a family project connecting people with nature. Third-generation beekeepers, they keep three apiaries using the same methods passed down from their grandparents - no chemicals in or around the hives, no bleaching of the wax, no shortcuts.

Every candle is made by hand using liquid beeswax, an unbleached cotton wick and ancient techniques. No moulds, no machines, no forms. What you get is as close to nature as a candle can be.

Why Beeswax?

Beeswax burns cleaner and longer than paraffin or soy wax, producing less soot. It has a higher melting point than other waxes, which is why the flame burns more steadily and the candle lasts. It also emits a gentle natural honey scent as it burns.

Paraffin is a petrochemical product. Soy wax involves chemical processing and often comes from deforested land. Beeswax is simply what bees produce during nectar collection - no human intervention required beyond the harvest.

Candle Care

Lighting for the first time

Tilt the candle slightly and hold the flame to the wick for longer than you would with a regular candle. Beeswax has a melting point of around 63°C - much higher than paraffin or soy - so the wick needs more time to fire up properly. Make sure both the wick and the wax around it are burning well before you pull away.

The first burn

The first burn is the most important. Let the candle burn until you can see a pool of melted wax across the full width of the candle - this prevents tunnelling. Burn in a spot away from draughts, air conditioning or nearby fireplaces for the most even burn.

Ongoing care

Keep the wick trimmed to 4-5mm. A longer wick means a higher flame, more soot and shorter burn life. If the flame is flickering or seems too strong, trim it back. Never leave a lit candle unattended, and always place on a heat-resistant surface - not directly on furniture.

FAQs

What is beeswax bloom?
Bloom is a natural process where low-melting-point oils in raw beeswax migrate to the surface, creating a white haze or tiny crystals. It's actually a sign of high-quality, unprocessed beeswax - not a defect. If you prefer the original colour, simply buff it off with a soft cloth.

Why does the colour vary between candles?
Because Five Bees Yard don't bleach or treat their wax, the colour depends on which part of the hive the wax came from and what the bees were foraging on. Expect anything from pale yellow to deep amber - each one is genuinely unique.

Are these candles vegan?
No - they're made from beeswax, which is an animal-derived product.

How long do they burn?
Approximately 18 hours per candle with proper care - keeping the wick trimmed and burning away from draughts will help you get the full burn time.

Can I use these as dinner candles or in a candle holder?
These are freestanding pillar candles at 9x4.5cm - they're not designed for candlestick holders. For taper-style candles, take a look at our Five Bees Yard Dinner Candles.