What does the word amber mean?
Amber is a fossilized resin of plant origin, yellow to brown in color, used in jewelry making and valued for its natural shine and warm fragrance.
The name "amber" refers to both the fossil resin and the color associated with it. Its etymology has two roots. In Arabic, the word "anbar" meant "ambergris" and referred to a substance secreted by sperm whales and used in perfumery. In Latin, the word "ambar," derived from the ancient Greek "ἤλεκτρον" (elektron), referred to both ambergris and the fossil resin.
In the beginning…
Amber has a history dating back thousands of years. Used since ancient times, it has captivated humanity with its beauty and enigmatic nature. The earliest records of amber mining date back to prehistoric times, when it was used to make ornaments and amulets. However, its appeal was not limited to decorative purposes. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that amber possessed medicinal and magical properties. Over time, amber became a precious and sought-after material, traded over long distances along ancient trade routes. Today, amber continues to fascinate, whether as a prized gem in jewelry or as a precious olfactory note in perfumery. Its rich history and mysterious charm make it a natural treasure valued across eras and cultures.
Amber comes mainly from trees in the Baltic Sea, where fossilized resin was formed millions of years ago.
Today, it is also produced from various sources, including plants and animals. Perfumers often use synthetic notes to create amber fragrance to reduce costs and ensure a consistent scent.
How is amber obtained?
Amber cannot be cultivated because it is the product of millions of years of transformation of tree resin. Trees in the Pinaceae family, such as pines and firs, produce resin to protect themselves from insects and injury. This resin can fall to the ground and fossilize over time to become amber. Most of the amber used in perfumery comes from the Baltic regions, where fossilized resin formed around 40 million years ago.
In addition to the Baltic regions, amber is also produced in other parts of the world. The most important producing regions are the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada, Romania, and Myanmar. However, the quality and quantity of amber vary considerably from region to region.
Harvesting amber is no easy task. Amber hunters must search for pieces of fossilized amber hidden in river sediments or on beaches. Extracting it is a delicate process that must be carried out with care to avoid breaking or damaging the precious pieces.
What did you know about amber in perfumery?
Amber has a warm and sensual scent profile , with woody, resinous, and honeyed notes. Perfumers often use amber notes as a base note in perfumes to add depth and warmth. It is regularly combined with vanilla, benzoin, frankincense, cistus, patchouli, sandalwood, and musk to create fragrances that evoke luxury and sophistication. Amber is also used as a fixative in perfumes to help other notes last longer on the skin.
Natural amber is so rare that its characteristic scent is often reproduced using synthetic molecules. The production of synthetic amber molecules involves several steps. First, chemists study the chemical composition of natural amber and identify the key molecules responsible for its olfactory character. Then, they develop chemical synthesis methods to produce these molecules in the laboratory. This may involve the use of specific chemical reactions and purification techniques to obtain pure and stable molecules.
Although these synthetic molecules are not exactly identical to natural amber, they allow perfumers to play with the olfactory aspects of this raw material, offering greater creative freedom in formulating perfumes.
Amber adds depth and warmth to perfumes. It is often used as a base note in perfumes to create warm and sensual fragrances. Perfumers combine it with other ingredients such as vanilla, sandalwood, and musk to create unique and sophisticated scents that evoke luxury and elegance.
In perfumery, amber is often associated with warm and spicy notes such as vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger. It is also frequently combined with woody notes such as cedar and sandalwood, as well as hints of musk to add depth and sensuality.
GOOD TO KNOW!
It is known for its soothing and calming properties, making it a popular stone in lithotherapy for combating stress and anxiety. As a reminder, lithotherapy is the use of crystals to improve well-being and energy balance. It is also used to relieve toothache.
The famous amber perfumes
Over time, amber has been used in a number of well-known perfumes. These include:
• Ambre de Réminiscence : This fragrance celebrates amber in all its splendor. It is a refined oriental fragrance, where amber is combined with woody and spicy notes. There are also hints of vanilla and benzoin, which give the fragrance additional depth and softness. Ambre de Réminiscence evokes a captivating and mysterious atmosphere, captivating the senses with its warmth and radiance.
• L'Artisan Parfumeur's Eau d'Ambre : This timeless composition combines amber with notes of vanilla, patchouli, and musk. This unisex fragrance offers a subtle and elegant interpretation of amber. L'Eau d'Ambre is a sensual and warm fragrance that evokes a certain nostalgia and a comforting atmosphere. It is appreciated for its sophistication and enveloping character.
• Ambre Narguilé by Hermès , launched in 2004, is a gourmet, warm and enveloping amber, combining amber with benzoin and vanilla .
• 1 Million by Paco Rabanne is a masculine amber fragrance that embodies excess, opulence, and seduction. With its gold ingot-shaped bottle, it became an instant hit and remained at the top of the best-selling list for 5 years. It offers a composition that oscillates between freshness, virility, and sensuality, with notes of grapefruit, peppermint, cinnamon, rose, leather, amber, patchouli, and white woods.
• L'Eau du Soir by Sisley is a luxurious and refined eau de parfum, harmoniously balancing fresh, floral, and amber notes. Its 18-carat gold bottle, adorned with a feminine sculpture, is iconic. This timeless fragrance embodies elegance and leaves a captivating trail. It is the first perfume created by Sisley, dedicated to the founder's wife.
• Ambre Sultan Eau de Parfum by Serge Lutens is a captivating olfactory journey to Morocco, blending spices, incense, and divine amber from the souks. This unique fragrance offers an intense and captivating experience, with spicy, woody, and gourmand notes that make it inimitable.
Amber X Good Perfumer
Bon Parfumeur offers amber-based perfumes made in France, such as:
• Eau de parfum 301 described as a warm and suave fragrance, with notes of cardamom, amber and sandalwood.
• The softer 302 Eau de Parfum , with notes of iris amber and sandalwood.
• Eau de parfum 501 combines amber with notes of praline, licorice and patchouli.
These amber fragrances are perfect for those looking for a sophisticated and timeless fragrance.
For more information about our fragrances, please visit our website or come visit us in-store!
