Hot Topic: Dried Flowers, Crystals, and Candle Safety

I’m going to start sharing one “hot topic” candle safety note each month, not to argue or take sides, but to offer real information in a space that gets so confusing so fast. At markets and in messages I hear the same themes on repeat. Essential oils vs synthetic fragrances. What is best for pets. Burning candles is like burning gasoline, and more.  The truth is more nuanced, and a lot of what circulates online is outdated by ten to twenty years. Fear-mongering has become a marketing strategy and I am over it. You will also see industry standard materials being sold as unique selling features.  Knowing and following standards is important, but it is the very baseline for responsible making, not a badge of superiority. Most artisans are careful and thoughtful about what they make. I am simply tired of blanket claims that sound true for sales. This series is meant to be a calm place to learn the why behind things and feel confident in your choices, no matter who you buy from.

A small note: I am not asking you to take my word for it. Please do your own research, read beyond headlines, and ask makers real questions. We all choose what we choose for good reasons. My goal is to lower the noise, share the why, and help you feel steady about what you bring into your home.

So... month one will be extra in candles.

I’ve seen petals, dried fruit, and crystals arranged on top of dried wax. They look beautiful in photos and sitting open on a table. The problems start when we think about lighting them. Often the intention is that you’re supposed to take them out first… but then why put them in to begin with? People have the best intentions, but we all know instructions are not always followed, especially with something as familiar as a candle. Once the wax begins to melt, everything within becomes part of the burn. They can ignite or smolder.

Often those pieces do sit far enough from the flame that nothing happens. I see the same argument in maker groups all the time: place them away from the wick, then remove them before lighting.  For me, the small aesthetic gain does not outweigh the chance of a problem, and when there is a problem with flame and heat, it can become a big one fast.

Crystals can trap tiny amounts of water inside when they are formed, and under heat that moisture expands quickly and causes thermal shock. The stone can crack or pop and send hot material into the melt pool. On top of that, supplies sold as “crystals” can sometimes be colored glass and likely no one would be the wiser, but glass that is overheated or heated unevenly can crack, and throw shards. None of that belongs near a flame.

For me, and with Lunahrin, the better approach is quite simple. Keep those beautiful extras as decor beside the candle, not inside it, so the burn stays clean, even, and reliable, and the scent and the light can do what they are meant to do.