Historians think ancient Romans may have developed the oldest candles, but ancient Egyptians also made early forms of the burning light source. Early Roman candles were made by repeatedly dipping tightly rolled papyrus into melted beeswax, while Egyptian designs involved soaking reeds in animal fat.
Beyond Egypt and Rome, ancient Chinese cultures created candles made of rice paper while Indians made wax by boiling cinnamon tree fruit.
Modern candles have a huge price range, and many luxury brands sell crazy-expensive designs. These pricey candles usually feature rare ingredients and expensive holder materials like crystal and gold.
Keep reading to learn more about the most expensive candles you can buy!
10. Baccarat Heritage Rouge 540 Scented Candle
Candle Scent: Blood orange, saffron, white oak, and more
Holder Materials: Crystal
Number of Wicks: One
photo source: bergdorfgoodman.com
First up is this beautiful candle held in Baccarat crystal. The scent is built on a base of sage, with top notes of blood orange, saffron, white oak, and more.
The piece celebrates Baccarat’s 250th anniversary, offering “A scented flame and the intimate light of crystal in all its splendour.”
Prices vary depending on the seller, but Baccarat priced this candle at $550. You can also buy it from luxury department stores like Bergdorf Goodman for the same price.
Did you know?
Baccarat’s Thomas Bastide designed this candle while French perfumer Francis Kurkdjian developed the scent. Bastide started designing at Baccarat in 1981.
9. L’Objet Mojave Unicorn Candle
Candle Scent: Papyrus, immortelle, coriander, and more
Holder Materials: Porcelain and gold
Number of Wicks: Four
photo source: amara.com
Made in collaboration between L’Objet and the Haas Brothers, this unique candle offers a whimsical touch to any room. The scent profile was developed by Yann Vasnier and is defined by papyrus, coriander, and more.
L’Objet says the candle holder design was inspired by the Mojave Desert, with hints of gold on a porcelain body creating a unique and luxurious aesthetic.
Overall, this creation costs a whopping $595, making it one of the most expensive candles in the world.
Did you know?
L’Objet says this cute candle monster smells amazing and will “live and perfume your home from any spot.”
8. Fornasetti Rossetti Flora Candle
Candle Scent: Floral and fruity
Holder Materials: Ceramic
Number of Wicks: Three
photo source: bergdorfgoodman.com
This large, 4-pound candle features the painted lips of Lina Cavalieri, the muse of Italian painter Piero Fornasetti.
This candle features a Pop Art-inspired design alongside a scent profile that’s floral and fruity. The Fornasetti brand calls the design “sensual…[with] an enchanting and elegant bouquet of white flowers with green and woody notes.”
Although Fornasetti no longer carries this unique candle, some luxury department stores still sell it. Bergdorf Goodman charges more than $600 for the piece, making it the world’s eighth most expensive candle.
Did you know?
Lina Cavalieri was a famous singer and actress of the early 20th century. The star trained as a classical singer before making her debut in Lisbon, Portugal in a performance of “Il Pagliacci,” an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo.
7. Trudon Ernesto Scented Candle
Candle Scent: Bergamot, grapefruit, clove, and more
Holder Materials: Glass
Number of Wicks: Five
photo source: neimanmarcus.com
This five-wick candle features a class jar crafted by the experts at the Trudon workshop in France. The design comes in a variety of sizes, with the cheapest and smallest priced at about $50 and the biggest going for close to $700.
Trudon says the scent is defined by notes of grapefruit, clove, and more.
Trudon poetically describes the experience of this candle as a hotel in Havana, Cuba: “In a hotel of Havana, under the fixed sun…the fierce and partisan overtones of leather and tobacco meddle with the paneling’s waxen silence…along with the smoke of cigars and the barrels of guns.”
Did you know?
Trudon says this candle is ideally placed near a grand staircase.
6. The Virgin Violet, Violet Scented Candle by Gucci
Candle Scent: Musk and iris petals
Holder Materials: Porcelain
Number of Wicks: Unreported
photo source: gucci.com
Gucci made this candle to accompany wearable scents made by the brand. The scent profile offers a blend of musky iris petals, violet, and more, providing a “mesmerizing” experience within a porcelain jar. Gucci says the jar was designed to be presented within a buyer’s home even after the wax is gone.
Gucci is known for being expensive, but this candle really pushes up the price tag. The piece costs nearly $700, making it the world’s sixth most expensive candle. Would you pay that much for a candle?
Did you know?
The jar holding this candle was inspired by fragrance containers in the world’s first apothecaries. Gucci says the jar’s swan illustration embodies the scent’s purity and grace.
5. GINORI 1735 LCDC La Dama Hill Candle
Candle Scent: Mandarin, lavender, and more
Holder Materials: Porcelain
Number of Wicks: Unreported
photo source: bergdorfgoodman.com
Coming in at number five is this simple yet elegant candle by GINORI 1735.
The design features La Dama, a symbol of mysteriousness who is envied by all: “La Dama (The Lady) is elegant and mysterious, she is the one everyone is talking about but the whispers in the air around her can make her flame burn more brightly.”
GINORI 1735 says this candle features a pure porcelain jar and notes of mandarin. The citrus is backed up by lavender and woody tones at the base. The candle costs a steep $735, making it the fifth most expensive candle you can buy.
Did you know?
This is a 67 oz candle.
4. Dr. Vranjes Firenze Rosso Nobile Tormalina Candle
Candle Scent: Tourmaline and Rosso Nobile
Holder Materials: Hand-blown glass
Number of Wicks: Varies by size
photo source: bergdorfgoodman.com
This luxury candle combines tourmaline with Dr. Vranjes Firenze’s popular Rosso Nobile fragrance to form a unique scent. The wax is blended with pure scents, providing a long-lasting experience.
The candle’s largest size option weighs about 13 pounds and burns for approximately 300 hours. The brand says each candle is handmade, so they might have unique physical features that showcase the unique quality of each piece.
Overall, this luxury candle costs a pricey $775. That steep price tag is high enough to get you free shipping from Dr. Vranjes Firenze’s website along with a complimentary sample perfume.
Did you know?
This candle is available in six sizes.
3. Baobab Collection Stones Lazuli Candle
Candle Scent: Sea salt and musk
Holder Materials: Hand-blown glass
Number of Wicks: One+
photo source: neimanmarcus.com
Stone Lazuli can be purchased in a variety of sizes, with the bigger versions selling for the highest prices. This 14-inch version comes in a hand-blown glass container and offers a unique scent of sea salt and musk.
Neiman Marcus calls the scent “one of a kind.” The candle’s price depends on the size you buy, but you could easily spend nearly $800 on this luxury creation.
Did you know?
Baobab Collection is a luxury candle-maker. The brand was inspired by the country of Tanzania and founded in 2002. Today, the company operates in Belgium.
2. Trudon x Balmain 2.8 kg Great Candle
Candle Scent: Bergamot, cedar, grapefruit, and more
Holder Materials: Glass
Number of Wicks: Five
photo source: neimanmarcus.com
At number two is the pricey x Balmain by Trudon. The expensive candle weighs nearly 3 kg (more than 6 and a half pounds) and offers a scent of bergamot, cedar, grapefruit, and more.
The candle is housed in a glass holder and features five wicks for long-lasting fragrance.
Prices depend on where you buy this candle, but high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus charge nearly $900 for the creation. Trudon calls the candle “impressive,” describing the design and scent as “mysterious and distinct.”
Did you know?
Trudon makes this candle by hand in Normandy, France at the brand’s private workshop.
1. Lalique Épines Scented Candle Platinum Edition
Candle Scent: Rich and woody
Holder Materials: Platinum and crystal
Number of Wicks: Three
photo source: scullyandscully.com
Lalique Épines Scented Candle Platinum Edition is the most expensive candle you can buy.
With notes of woody richness, black cherry, flowers, and leather, this expensive candle by Lalique evokes a fairy tale forest for the ultimate luxury experience.
The wax is held by a crystal jar adorned with platinum brambles and berries, doubling down on the enchanted forest aesthetic.
Beyond pricey materials, this candle earns its value thanks to the limited-edition design. Lalique made just 488 Épines, and each was handcrafted in France.
The result is a rare and elegant candle priced at more than two thousand dollars.
Did you know?
Lalique says this candle burns for about 80 hours. The brand recommends using the candle holder as a vase once the wax is gone.
