The 'cane on the left looks like regular paraffin & the one on the right looks like my 1554 'cane wax, which has a melt point of 163*f. Good 'cane wax is supposed to be translucent. However, when I used it to pour into a couple of new pillar molds (the best way I know for certain to determine volume w/o having to use water & math), it came out as white looking as your righty. It's not visually displeasing, which is to say the one on the right looks alright. What I do find interesting is that for 'cane wax, it sure does have a low melt point (132-138), but, as you said, because it's so hard to melt, the wax has to be something else other than straight paraffin ... at least, in combo w/ additives. Well, you do have the Queen on the case. I'm sure between the two of you you'll get to the bottom of the matter. Come to think of it ... I seem to recall having problems melting the 1554 by the double boiler method, which is what convinced me that it was time to buy a presto pot. Regarding the jump lines ... did you give your 'cane a water bath? If so, was the water already in the bucket before you put your molded 'cane in it or did you put the 'cane in a bucket & then add the water? If you did it this way, you'll get jump lines.