Quartz

When I was in high school, back around 1983, I was an exchange student just outside of Paris and the girl who I was staying with -- Shereen -- gave me her bottles of Hermes Caleche and of Quartz. I remember loving both but ultimately feeling a little dissatisfied with Quartz because while it had all the mossiness of other vintage beauties, it was missing the punch-in-the-nose that I wanted at the time (a la Rochas Femme, or something!). When I saw it on sale on FragNet recently, I remembered how much I'd enjoyed it and since, post-1970's and 1980's, I've grown to enjoy non-power house fragrances, I spent the $26 and ordered a bottle. Well, Quartz is absolutely beautiful -- cool, fresh, and oh-so-mossy -- just as I remembered. Maybe it's the name of it, but there's a minerally quality to it, as well as a freshness that made my daughter exclaim, "It smells like the air at the beach!" To my nose, it doesn't smell like any of the fragrances listed above, but it does share qualities (and some notes) with several other fragrances: the cool oakmoss and peach of Mitsouko, the oakmoss, hyacinth, carnation, and benzoin of White Linen, the honeysuckle and benzoin of Chant d'Aromes, and even the cool mossiness of Rive Gauche (but without the rose). Like all of these, it's so elegant and sophisticated but is less overwhelming or statement-y than Mitsouko, White Linen, or Rive Gauche; in fact, it wears more like Chant d'Aromes, exquisitely light and fresh, but lovely and elegant, great for warm weather. I'm so happy I got myself another bottle, some 35 years later!

Quartz by Molyneaux is categorized as a floral, but this fragrance is a green chypre to my nose. Sparkling aldehydes are the opening notes. Orris root, oakmoss and a hint of ripe melon develop several minutes later, followed by fresh cedar. Overall, Quartz has a dry, herbal composition. Quartz is a refreshing departure from my usual floral fragrances. If you like Calandre, Rive Gauche, or Coriandre, then give this a whirl. Another reviewer mentioned that Quartz was "alive"--which is quite accurate! The beauty of Quartz is that it's versatile (appropriate for boardroom or cocktail party) and affordable. Sillage radiates about 2 feet, but longevity is outstanding (7 hours). Quartz could easily be worn by either sex. Men seem to be drawn to this fragrance. Be prepared to get noticed when wearing Quartz! My husband adores this perfume--and he is incredibly finicky. When I was Christmas shopping this afternoon, a man actually followed me into a store and said "Oooohh. You smell sooo sexy!"

Quartz is suggestive of its name, cool stone, perhaps by a babbling brook, amongst dewy foliage under the morning sun. It is green but also just a shade sweet, crisp peaches and melons seasoned with bitter boxwood and cassis. If effervescence and powdery mossiness could fit into the same room, it would be Quartz. They fit, they mingle, they shake hands, embrace, and then realize they need to turn out the lights. Firmly unisex, an unsuspecting gentleman might come across this handsome bottle with no indication of gender (until its latter iterations where "femme" would be added), ponder its whirlpool vortex cap and sleek modernism and smell it, thinking to himself, "mmm, Eau Sauvage with added dimension and swagger? Don't mind if I do." No matter what the gender, Quartz exudes an understated sophistication underlined by its earthy, woody, outdoorsy dry down. Man, the 70s were a great time for fragrance. A hidden gem.

This scent surprised me in a positive sense. The first few times,I did not know if I would dismiss it once and for all,or at least I`d like it a little. I took out the bottle now and then sprayed a bit thought it was a sharp mourn with hairspray as the "lead singer" of the group. After a few weeks I thought about what,repeatedly smells so fresh, clean,attractive but straightforward. I must have mixed several fragrances and produced this lovely scent..then I tried several fragrances when the opportunity arose,in various places on the skin,and tried to convince me to distinguish where and what I sprayed them! Nowadays I know that it is by no means loud,I can take a ride even if the horse is a bit nervous/inexperienced,without "top gear goes in" before the start..

I received a sample of Molyneux Quartz Pour Femme (thanks Lavallectra) and I like it very much. It opens with beautiful, juicy, tangy citrus with a hefty dose of oakmoss. It reminds me of O De Lancome, which I had in my teens. I think Quartz leans more on the tangerine and oakmoss, and Lancome has more lemon. I'm going to have to re-think my perfume preferences. For many years, oakmoss and I did not get along. Having recently found Vent Vert, now Quartz, I'm keen to explore more chypres and see if my tastes might be changing. We never know when our perfume assumptions will be challenged. Mine certainly have been, and in a good way.