We use a coconut-soy wax blend for all of our shell candles. It burns cleaner and longer than paraffin, holds fragrance beautifully, and is better for the air in your home. Every wick is cotton — no zinc, no lead. All fragrance oils are phthalate-free.

The shells are sourced from the Gulf Coast, mostly from beaches around Hudson, Florida and the surrounding barrier islands. We clean and cure each conch, whelk, or moon snail shell before it becomes a candle vessel.

Burn time depends on the size of the shell vessel. Our standard Gulf Coast shell candles burn for 20–30 hours. The larger driftwood pillar candles run 40–60 hours. We include a burn time estimate on every label.

For the best burn, trim your wick to about ¼ inch before each use and let the wax pool reach the edges on the first burn. This prevents tunneling and extends the life of your coastal candle.

Yes. Our coconut-soy blend produces minimal soot, and we use phthalate-free fragrance oils in all our shell candles. Standard candle safety applies — never leave a burning candle unattended, keep it away from drafts and flammable materials, and burn on a heat-safe surface.

Absolutely — that's part of the point. Once the wax is spent, place the Gulf Coast shell in the freezer for about an hour. The remaining soy wax will contract and pop right out. Wash with warm soapy water and the shell is yours to keep.

Customers use their shells as jewelry dishes, soap holders, or simply as a piece of the coast on a shelf — a natural nautical accent that lasts long after the candle is gone.

Most orders ship within 2–3 business days from our coastal studio in Hudson, Florida. Standard shipping typically arrives in 5–8 business days. Expedited options are available at checkout.

During peak seasons — November through December and around Valentine's Day — processing times may extend to 4–5 business days. We'll always note any delays on the site.

Not at the moment. We ship all shell candles, seashell wreaths, and coastal décor to all 50 states and U.S. territories. International shipping is something we're working toward — if you're outside the U.S. and interested, feel free to reach out.

Every shell candle ships in a custom-fitted box with tissue paper and recycled fill material. Gulf Coast shells are individually wrapped to prevent movement. We've shipped thousands of orders and breakage is rare — but if something arrives damaged, we'll make it right.

We accept returns on unused, unburned shell candles and coastal décor within 14 days of delivery. Because each piece is handmade from Gulf Coast materials, we ask that you reach out before sending anything back so we can sort out the best solution.

Custom coastal orders — wedding favors, personalized shell candles — are non-refundable once production has begun, but we'll always work with you if something isn't right.

Take a photo of the damage and email us at hello@shorefoundco.com within 48 hours of delivery. We'll send a replacement at no charge. We don't need you to return the damaged item.

Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and UV exposure can cause the coconut-soy wax to soften or discolor and may affect the coastal fragrance over time. A drawer or cabinet works perfectly.

For beach wedding favors and large corporate nautical gift orders, we recommend reaching out at least 8 weeks before your event date. Smaller custom requests — a personalized shell candle label, a specific coastal scent — can often be turned around in 2–3 weeks.

Holiday season (October through December) fills up quickly. If you're planning something for that window, earlier is always better.

Yes. We have a library of over 30 fragrance options, from clean coastal scents like sea salt, driftwood, and ocean breeze to warmer notes like amber, vanilla, and sandalwood. We can also blend scents for something more specific.

For large coastal gift orders, we're happy to send a sample set so you can choose in person before we commit to production.