Did you know that the most expensive candles in the world have one of the most fascinating histories of any product on the market today? The word “candle” originally comes from the Latin word candēre, meaning to shine. Though any run-of-the-mill candle can theoretically brighten your home, certain brands and scents have the uncanny ability to make your home shimmer visually and olfactorily.
Dating back to roughly 200 B.C., the earliest surviving candles were initially made of whale fat, and evolved throughout history to be composed of a number of other fats, tallows and waxes depending on what was available and how much each cost to procure. Candle-making materials ranged from sperm whale, rapeseed, and colza oils used in the 18th century to produce brighter candles at lower costs, to paraffin wax in the mid 19th century as an odorless substitute to tallow.
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Throughout history, the crafting of candles became the practice of expert guild members that would make house calls to patrons that had saved assorted kitchen fats for the sole purpose of having new candles produced for them as needed. Though they would ultimately go out of fashion as functional lanterns with the advent of kerosene lamps and electricity, craft candles have continued to retain a special place for consumers as decorative items that produce unique scents in carefully-selected places throughout houses, as well as ceremonially-important objects in countless religious institutions.
As color, shape, size, and scent continue to mutate in modern-day candles–you can now buy stripper-tinged wax cylinders, or procure a wick that smells like Justin Trudeau–the importance of hand-picking the perfect candle–for yourself, or as a gift to someone else–has become an exercise of exceeding scrutiny akin to tracking down the perfect bottle of aged wine for a dinner party. One way to achieve this is by choosing one of the Best Scented Candles in the World, though if scent alone can’t help you decide, you may consider assessing other luxury characteristics to help you whittle down your list.
To help with this, we’ve composed a list of 10 of the priciest luxury candles in the world, utilizing best-seller lists along with a series of other reviews to curate a compilation that’s sure to resolve all of your future candle conundrums. On a nostalgic night, create a slightly different take on 16 candles, craft a shrine dedicated to the object of your unrequited adolescent love, or burn a few wax blocks to help get you in the spirit of whatever time of year it may be. No matter your use for them, luxury candles are a great way to go when picking out a decorative piece for your home, or a tasteful gift for a loved one. This list of most expensive candles in the world ought to light the way for you, whatever your candle needs may be.
10. Trapp Candles ($30)
Established in the early 90s by floral designer Bob Trapp in Kansas City, Missouri, Trapp Candles was initially operated out of a building’s basement, manufacturing on a shoestring budget until it was ultimately bought by a larger group of buyers. The brand offers a vast collection of poured and votive candles, and has been featured on a number of independent best-seller lists, with intoxicating scents such as Orange Vanilla.
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9. Aquiesse ($44)
Founded in Santa Barbara, California over a decade ago by fragrance luminary Michael Joseph Horn, Aquiesse that ranks 9th in our list of most expensive candles in the world is a brand, which prides itself on luxury candles whose scents have been heavily-inspired by nature. With five season-specific collections that are further divided into countless high-end aromas, such as Black Coco Havana, Mandarin Tea, and Cinnamon Tabac, Aquiesse offers a brand of luxury candles that is among the best in the world.
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8. Yankee Candle ($50 gift sets)
Certainly one of the elder statesmen among American candle producers, Yankee Candle was founded nearly 50 years ago by Michael Kittredge in Massachusetts, and is now valued at around $2 billion. Their candles, divided by scent, color, size, and a catalog of other factors, are ubiquitous. They populate best-seller lists on Amazon, as well as a number of other online marketplaces, and are available in over 550 stores in 50 different countries. Shoppers can choose from tantalizing scents, such as Fresh Cut Roses, Spiced Pumpkin, Vanilla Bourbon, and Clean Cotton to give your home a unique flair that their guests won’t soon forget.
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7. Votivo ($60)
This South Carolina-based candle supplier is a refreshing break from the norm in the way that they discuss and market their products. In an era in which labels are haphazardly slapped on goods in the interest of selling a few more units, Votivo is forthright about not producing candles that are either ‘100% natural,’ or ‘organic,’ noting that doing so would put tremendous stress on the environment through the depletion of natural resources. This departure from the norm in no way affects their product quality, however, as they’ve produced a number of best-selling candles, including their 6.4oz Red Currant aromatic candle, praised for its odor-removing capability and even burning rate.
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6. Voluspa ($75)
Founded in 1999 by Troy and Traci Arntsen in southern California, Voluspa combines a candle-making process that blends extensive sustainability research and sourcing trial-and-error with a passion for botany, essential oils, and fragrances. With dozens of fragrances such as Crisp Champagne and Mandarino Canella composing six different candle collections, Voluspa offers ample selection opportunity for customers of all stripes.
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5. Molton Brown ($75)
Though the spelling is different for this London-based candle distributor, it’s fun to play around with the sound of melting (Molton) being associated with candles. Much like Byredo, Molton Brown’s candles have generally been very well-received, despite their comparatively high price tag topping out around $75. Enticing aromas such as Black Peppercorn, and Delicious Rhubarb make saying no to these wax-terpieces all the more difficult, even thought they are among the most expensive candles in the world.
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4. Byredo ($80)
Established a mere 10 years ago in Sweden, Byredo, the number 4 in our list of most expensive candles in the world, has quickly lurched up a lengthy list of candle makers to establish itself among the industry’s elite. As would be expected from a high end candle maker, the brand offers candles in a smorgasbord of scents, each of which can run a shopper anywhere between $60-80. Given the considerable buzz that this candle has generated though, perhaps it’s worth the splurge.
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3. Cire Trudon ($105)
Without question the oldest candle manufacturer on this list of most expensive candles in the world, Cire Trudon was founded in 1643 and boasts a history that is every bit as intriguing as its candle scents. As the oldest wax-producing factory in the world, Trudon provided candles to the royal court of Louis XIV, who was fascinated by the manufacturer’s immaculately white candles. Since then, the candles have been used by Napoleon’s imperial court, the Parisian World Fair, and many others. Scents run the gamut from Moroccan Mint Tea to Byron, a “woody cognac,” and can cost over$100.
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2. Diptyque ($295)
Founded in 1961 by three friends, this Parisian producer of burning wax was initially a printed fabrics manufacturer. Just two years later, however, they would introduce the first of what would become an extensive line of scented candles, which ultimately became their business’ primary focus. With outposts all over the world, including in Japan, Qatar, the UAE, and the United States, Diptyque offers an array of scented candles, ranging in variety from ‘standard,’ and ‘mini,’ to ‘exclusive’ and ‘outdoor.’ Fig tree and Tuberose-scented outdoor candles are by far the most expensive at $295, but are certainly large enough to last any buyer long enough to make the purchase well worth it.
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1. Jo Malone ($470)
Among hyper-successful candle manufacturers, the London-based supplier, Jo Malone, is something of an anomaly, as it has only been around for a few decades. Founded by Joanne (Jo) Lesley Malone, the brand offers a vast collection of deluxe, travel, home, and luxury candles, the latter of which can be as expensive as $470 per candle. With a barrage of collections and scents on offer, many of which at considerably lower price points, Jo Malone’s richly-scented candles truly offer something for all of their patrons, even with their formidable line of the most expensive candles in the world.
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