A TRANSLUCENT FOSSIL RESIN

Amber: The Timeless, Musky Sweet Treasure in Perfumes

A fossil need not always be a skeleton of a Stegosaurus with menacing jaws like the dinosaurs in the movie Jurassic Park. This popular notion of fossils, derived from movies, is only one of the forms in which they are known to humanity. In addition to academic interest, fossils and their derivatives have been widely used in our lives. One such fossilised tree resin, coveted by emperors, princesses, merchants, medicine men, and perfumers alike, is Amber.

Ranging from pale yellow to occasional brownish hues, this translucent resin has been in use for over 10,000 years. The word “Amber” originates from the Arabic word Anbar and was initially used in reference to Ambergris (grey Amber), obtained from sperm whales. Amber is known as Electrum in Latin and Elektron in Greek, owing to its ability to carry a negative static charge. The process of formation may take anywhere from 2 to 10 million years, depending on natural resin deposition in sedimentary layers. Occasionally, animal fossils are embedded in amber, known as inclusions.

Amber is extracted through mining from Cretaceous rocks or occasionally washed up by ocean waves. It has been used extensively in jewellery, traditional medicine, and perfumery. Natural amber itself does not emit a strong scent, but when heated beyond 200°C, Amber oil is produced, historically used with nitric acid in ancient China for ritual musky fragrances. Modern perfumery uses artificial amber, primarily an amalgam of Labdanum and other scent compounds, to produce a warm, musky sweet fragrance with powdery undertones. This is why amber fragrances are celebrated for their rich, luxurious, and comforting aroma.

Hvnly brings you an exquisite range of perfumes infused with the musky sweet richness of Amber, perfect for adding warmth and depth to your everyday scent wardrobe.

Author: Sandipani Padhi