Paraffin Wax comes in different melting points. The type of candle you are making will determine which melting point to buy.
Paraffin is a petroleum by-product. It contains oil. The lower the melting temperature of the paraffin, the more oil content and the slower the burning. You want slow burning wax for container candles, and faster burning wax for moulded free-standing candles. Use the fastest burning wax for taper candles.
Mould Wax 59-62 degrees C (139-143 Fah). It has less oil in it, so it burns faster. This is good because the free-standing candle doesn't drip. Less oil in the wax also means it is firmer and retains its moulded shape well.
Dipping Wax 62 degrees C (145 Fah). This is the wax you use for making taper candles. It adheres to itself, so each dip will build upon the last to form the tapered candle.
Microcrystaline
wax: Unlike paraffin waxes, microcrystalline waxes
contain a large percentage of
branched and cyclic molecules. This decreases the
crystallinity of the
microcrystalline waxes, making them softer and more
pliable. They range in color
from white to brown, and in consistency from soft and
sticky to hard and dry.