Electrum

According to Wikipedia, Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals. It has also been produced artificially, and is often known as green gold. The ancient Greeks called it 'gold' or 'white gold', as opposed to 'refined gold'. Its colour ranges from pale to bright yellow, depending on the proportions of gold and silver. In this 2014 fragrance, Ms. Jobin has truly captured olfactory inspiration in her synthesis of warm resins (gold) and cool pine (silver). Not what many would call groundbreaking by any means; it is however a rather novel nasal stimulus that stirs ancient soul memories in me. My personal fragrant flights of fancy notwithstanding, Electrum evolves, morphing not unlike a sensually scented liquid metal T2200 and dries to a seriously luxurious woody amber dominant incense perfume. The "trace amounts" of other metals are echoed in the ancillary notes that have been smelted by Amber in her fragrant forge into this olfactory treasure. It is "green" in almost every sense of the word and, though unrefined, it is quite dignified...regal even, without being pompous or overbearing. The proportions of this particular perfumed alloy run rich with gold; while having just enough smooth silvery and playful cupric tones to balance gold's often harsh and garish glow. Sillage: soft (not close) to moderate Longevity: average to good Overall: 4/5 Amber Jobin is one to keep an eye (& both nostrils!) on. Her unique and groovy style was, for those of you who don't already know, gently tended and nurtured by the loving, talented and prolific perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. Both this perfumer's love of her art and respect and devotion for Nature and the planet are evident in her formulae, small batch techniques and streamlined recycled reusable bottles and vials. Regarding AetherArtsPerfumes and its creator: As affable and interesting as her creations, this perfumer weaves a spell around you, surreptitiously and once you realize it has you...you don't really even mind. Aether Arts Perfumes offer fragrances that are high quality, extremely wearable and versatile while simultaneously checking the eco-friendly and independent artisan boxes. Yes. 5.5 ml for $58 USD seems almost prohibitively pricey, even excessive. Until you really "do the math". Fragrant food for thought: Aren't you worth it? Would you rather smell like something predominately natural attenuated by fixatives and/or expansion agents that polish a fragrance's edges...or a mostly synthetic illusion given the color of life with (if you're lucky) a few drops of real flowers spices and woods? Isn't Mother Earth worth it? To think about not only how great we want to and are going to smell...but also where all those empty beautiful, yet ultimately wasteful, receptacles and packaging go? That no endangered protected or outlawed flora was used and no fauna was harmed in the making of any of this magick? I don't know about any of you, but I am choosing small business independent artisans who traffic in reputable truly splendid aromas that stimulate not only my olfactory nerve, but my heart and spirit, over some streamlined wan designer juice or overhyped and exponentially overpriced niche concoction from whoever the "nez du jour" happens to be and follow my nose, heart and mind (it controls the wallet!) because usually those three never agree on ANYTHING! Do yourselves, the perfumer AND this fragrant community we call Home a favor: sample this House's line of 13 scents, immerse yourself in them and share what you think. There were many Houses in my early days I was afraid to try. Many sounded too "fancy" or there were just no "stats" or reviews from members regarding a great deal of them, back then. Many lines promise a lot and deliver mediocre results. This unassuming very grass-roots House delivers results proportionally higher than the seemingly inflated price. Oh...and before you start worrying about "bang for buck" and all that: most AAP are 40-45% parfum extraits. That is more than TWICE the concentration in the majority of modern Eaux de Parfum or EDT Intense/Extreme/Forte/what have you. This is a perfumer I have known, and one I have researched extensively...I have only just truly begun my journey as I follow Amber vicariously through her 'fumes, and look forward to reviewing them all. (copied rom AetherArts Perfumes, with permission) The Scent Story: ELECTRUM Electrum is all about the glowing, golden heart of amber resin. Warm and sweet and balsamic and woody—like wearing liquid gold—Electrum wraps you in the scent of an ancient conifer forest. Electrum, the classical name for amber, can also refer to a naturally occurring union of gold and silver. Conifer trees convey this metaphorically with the bright, silvery scent of their needles and the golden glow of their resins. Electrum opens with the silvery notes of Balsam Fir Needle and Rosewood. Multiple Amber Resins come together to create the heart of this fragrance while Guaiac wood, cedar, vanilla, tolu balsam, and tobacco bring out both the sweet and woody aspects of the Amber. A pinch of Africa stone alludes to the Amber resin’s (animalic) ambergris(-like) qualities. The forest is calling... Materials: amber, cedar, vanilla, tobacco, rosewood, tolu balsam, Guaiac wood, balsam fir needles, Whispering/Ponderosa pine and a pinch of hyrax Perfume Family: Woody/Incense Unisex: Yes Scent Strength: Perfume Oil format comparable to 45% Extrait Contains True Animalics: Yes, Africa Stone Mixed-Media: 66% Naturals to 34% Synthetics