Fleurs Precieuse by Caron, launched in 1910, is often misunderstood as a single fragrance. In reality, it was a collection named "Les Fleurs Precieuses," encompassing three distinct floral fragrances: Violette Precieuse, Rose Precieuse, and Jacinthe Precieuse. These exquisite scents were crafted by the renowned perfumer Ernest Daltroff, who brought his expertise to the creation of these luxurious fragrances.
An advertisement from 1913 highlights that these fragrances were elegantly presented in "artistic opaque bottles," emphasizing their refined and artistic packaging, which added to their allure. This collection not only showcased Caron's commitment to high-quality perfumery but also their dedication to artistic presentation, making "Les Fleurs Precieuses" a memorable and cherished part of Caron's storied history.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the delicate and romantic aromas of violet, rose, and hyacinth were among the most beloved floral fragrances, their presence immortalized in fine perfumes, cosmetics, and scented powders. These florals were prized not only for their intrinsic beauty but also for the emotions they evoked—violet for its wistful, powdery elegance, rose for its timeless femininity, and hyacinth for its heady, springlike freshness. When Parfums Caron introduced Les Fleurs Précieuses in 1910, they sought to perfect these singular floral compositions, crafting them in the tradition of the great 19th-century perfumers. Ernest Daltroff’s mastery lay in his ability to enhance these floral notes with depth and richness, using a combination of natural absolutes, delicate infusions, and the early synthetics that were beginning to shape modern perfumery.
Violette Précieuse
True violet perfumes of the 19th century were often created using delicate tinctures of Parma violet or Tuscan violet blossoms, which were labor-intensive to extract and required fixatives to lend them longevity. By 1910, advancements in chemistry allowed perfumers to enhance the natural beauty of violet with methyl ionone, a groundbreaking synthetic that deepened the powdery, slightly woody, and fruity facets of the flower. Violette Précieuse would have likely opened with the crisp greenness of clary sage and bergamot, lending brightness to the soft, candied violet heart. The central accord would have been built around violet leaf absolute, adding a fresh, cucumber-like sharpness to balance the sweetness of ionones. This bouquet would have been softened with orris root, a prized material known for its buttery, powdery smoothness, and further deepened with subtle hints of rose and heliotrope, the latter enhancing the almond-like nuances already present in violet. True to Caron's style, an elegant animalic warmth in the base—perhaps from orris butter, Tibetan musk, and ambergris—would have given Violette Précieuse a lingering, velvety presence on the skin.
Rose Précieuse
The turn of the century saw an increased appreciation for complex rose compositions, as perfumers sought to highlight the many facets of this timeless bloom. Rose Précieuse would have undoubtedly centered around Grasse rose absolute, known for its velvety, honeyed depth, but it may have also incorporated the lighter, more citrus-tinged Bulgarian rose oil and the spicy, tea-like Turkish rose to add complexity. A fresh opening of citronellyl acetate, found naturally in roses and geraniums, would have lent an airy, lemony brightness, while geraniol—another key rose molecule—would have reinforced its fresh green qualities. The heart may have been warmed with heliotropin, adding a soft vanilla-almond facet, or farnesol, which enhances the delicate floral radiance of roses. True to period formulations, a deep and slightly animalic base of tonka bean, orris butter, and musk tincture could have provided warmth, while vetiver and sandalwood would have given the fragrance a refined, woody backbone. Rose Précieuse would not have been merely a straightforward soliflore but a sophisticated, full-bodied composition that celebrated the opulence of the queen of flowers.
Jacinthe Précieuse
Hyacinth was a floral note deeply associated with springtime and luxury in the Belle Époque, its fragrance an intoxicating blend of green, dewy freshness and narcotic, floral sweetness. Traditionally, hyacinth perfumes were created using enfleurage or tincturing methods, but by the early 20th century, perfumers had begun to replicate its complexity using accords of benzyl acetate, which imparts a sweet, fruity floralcy, and phenylacetaldehyde, a molecule that enhances the crisp green facets of the flower. Jacinthe Précieuse would have likely paired hyacinth absolute with lily of the valley and narcissus, reinforcing its delicate, white floral brightness. A touch of cassis bud and galbanum may have added a sharp, leafy greenness to contrast the sweetness of the floral bouquet. The base may have been softened with orris butter, lending a smooth, powdery elegance, while a hint of civet and ambergris would have anchored the fragrance with a subtle, skin-like warmth. The final result would have been a luminous, springlike floral fragrance—radiant, fresh, and deeply evocative of an aristocratic garden in bloom.
The Les Fleurs Précieuses collection was an embodiment of Caron's dedication to timeless floral perfumery, a tribute to the perfumed heritage of the 19th century yet enhanced by the advancements of the early 20th. Each fragrance was designed to elevate its central flower beyond a simple soliflore, weaving in depth, sensuality, and sophistication through the careful interplay of natural essences and emerging synthetics. Today, while these perfumes are elusive, their legacy lingers in Caron's reverence for florals and the continued fascination with these exquisite, bygone compositions.
Violette Precieuse:
As the name suggests, Violette Precieuse would likely focus on violet as the central note. Traditional violet perfumes often include:
- Top notes: Hungarian clary sage concrete, Provencal verbena, methyl heptin carbonate, Algerian cassie, Jordanian almond, Bourbon geranium, Tuscan violet, Calabrian bergamot, methyl ionone, amyl heptine carbonate
- Middle notes: "Floranol", farnesol, Grasse jasmine, Florentine orris root, Grasse rose, heliotropin, Indian tuberose,"florodora"
- Base notes: Mysore sandalwood, yara yara, "formidol", benzyl acetate, vanillin, Colombian tolu balsam, Tibetan musk, Indian musk ambrette, santalol, Guatemalan storax, Mexican vanilla
Violette Précieuse by Caron is a fragrance that unfolds like an exquisite bouquet dusted with delicate violet petals, infused with rare botanicals and smooth woods. It is a fragrance of contrasts—powdery yet green, sweet yet refined, an olfactory ode to the rare and elusive beauty of the violet flower.
The fragrance opens with the crisp, herbaceous touch of Hungarian clary sage concrete, its slightly musky, ambery facets lending a green, almost tea-like depth to the introduction. This is softened by the lemony brightness of Provencal verbena, a sunlit, citrusy freshness that carries a breezy effervescence, bright yet slightly floral. Calabrian bergamot, prized for its complexity, adds a luminous touch—less sharp than typical citrus, with hints of floral sweetness and green bitterness. These bright notes are interwoven with the honeyed, powdery glow of Algerian cassie, its golden blossoms exuding a mimosa-like warmth tinged with soft spice.
The composition takes an unexpected turn with Jordanian almond, its marzipan-like creaminess introducing a smooth, almost gourmand facet, made even more intriguing by Bourbon geranium, which adds a green, rosy sharpness with minty undertones. The heart of the fragrance is, of course, the Tuscan violet, a scent both powdery and green, delicate yet persistent. Tuscan violets, grown in the sun-drenched Italian countryside, possess a deeper, richer aroma than their counterparts—earthy and wistful, conjuring the tender scent of crushed petals and cool forest floors. This violet accord is supported by methyl ionone, a molecule that enhances its powdery facets, making it linger with a velvety, slightly woody glow.
The floral heart unfurls in a breathtaking arrangement of opulent blooms. Grasse jasmine, harvested in the early morning hours for its dewy freshness, releases its warm, indolic sweetness, intertwining with the creamy, narcotic Indian tuberose, whose buttery, almost mentholated richness adds depth. Grasse rose, cultivated in the world’s most renowned perfume fields, lends its classic velvety elegance, its petals carrying a slightly honeyed warmth.
The floral symphony is softened by heliotropin, which enhances the almond-like facets of the Jordanian almond in the opening, adding a dreamy, powdery quality reminiscent of sugared violets. Florentine orris root, one of perfumery’s most precious materials, infuses the heart with a cool, suede-like smoothness, its buttery, earthy quality deepening the violet’s powdery nuances. The inclusion of farnesol, a natural component found in floral oils, adds a delicate, green, slightly waxy sweetness, reinforcing the luminous, fresh floral tones in the bouquet.
As the fragrance deepens, its warmth and sensuality unfold in a base of rare woods and balsamic resins. Mysore sandalwood, the most coveted variety, exudes a creamy, almost milky smoothness with a soft, lingering spice. This is blended with yara yara, a lesser-known note with soft, woody, and slightly floral undertones that harmonizes beautifully with the violet. The vanillic warmth of Mexican vanilla melts into the composition, its rich, slightly smoky sweetness enhanced by Colombian tolu balsam, which adds a golden, ambery depth.
Guatemalan storax, a resin with a balsamic, slightly leathery richness, intensifies the warm, enveloping quality of the base. Musk plays a defining role in the drydown, with both Tibetan musk and Indian musk ambrette contributing an animalic warmth, their smooth, almost skin-like sensuality lending the fragrance a lasting, intimate allure. The composition is further refined by santalol, a component of sandalwood that heightens its creamy, lactonic facets. The final veil of the fragrance is touched by benzyl acetate, a naturally occurring floral compound that enhances the white floral notes, and vanillin, which enriches the base with a touch of nostalgic sweetness.
In Violette Précieuse, Caron has crafted a fragrance that is both wistful and luxurious—a violet dream kissed by warm woods and delicate florals. It is a perfume that lingers softly, like the memory of a love letter pressed between the pages of an antique book, its scent an everlasting whisper of romance.
Rose Precieuse:
Rose Precieuse would emphasize rose, another classic floral note, often composed with:
- Top notes: Grasse rose, Comoros palmarosa, Reunion rose geranium, geraniol, citronellyl acetate, aldehyde C10, Norol, phenylethyl alcohol, citronellol
- Middle notes: Turkish rose, Provencal honey, Grasse jasmine, Bulgarian rose, Florentine orris, Indian tuberose, Tunisian orange blossom,"rosindol"
- Base notes: Venezuelan tonka bean, Tahitian vanilla, Tibetan musk, Abyssinian civet, Indonesian patchouli, ambergris, rhodium, Sumatran styrax, Mysore sandalwood, Brazilian rosewood, Java vetiver, Guatemalan storax
Rose Précieuse is a fragrance that unfolds like a lush, velvety bouquet, each petal steeped in opulence, each note a tribute to the timeless beauty of the rose. From the first breath, the fragrance is an explosion of fresh floralcy, led by Grasse rose, one of the world’s most exquisite varieties, grown in the sun-drenched fields of southern France. This rose is renowned for its unparalleled depth—a marriage of honeyed sweetness and soft, spicy warmth. It is entwined with the green, slightly peppery facets of Comoros palmarosa, an essential oil reminiscent of both rose and lemongrass, enhancing the dewy freshness of the opening.
Reunion rose geranium, cultivated on the French island of Réunion, adds a crisp, herbaceous sharpness, its minty undertones lifting the composition with a touch of brightness. The sweetness of geraniol and citronellyl acetate reinforces the rosy accord, while aldehyde C10 introduces a soft, waxy luminescence that gives the fragrance a refined, almost vintage elegance. Norol, with its delicate citrus-like freshness, and phenylethyl alcohol, a key component in rose’s natural scent, weave a tapestry of soft floral warmth, while citronellol enhances the fragrance’s dewy, lemon-tinged facets, mimicking the scent of fresh rose petals kissed by morning mist.
As the fragrance settles, a sumptuous heart of roses unfolds in full bloom. Turkish rose, prized for its deep, slightly fruity and honeyed aroma, lends a regal richness, its damask petals carrying centuries of perfumery heritage. The sweetness of Provencal honey drizzles over the floral heart, its golden warmth adding a gentle gourmand nuance. Grasse jasmine, with its narcotic depth, intertwines seamlessly with the roses, its indolic character providing an intoxicating contrast to the fresh petals. The Bulgarian rose, cultivated in the famed Valley of Roses, brings a deeper, more resinous complexity, its scent more wine-like, almost syrupy, compared to the lighter, more powdery Grasse variety.
Florentine orris, extracted from the rhizomes of iris plants in Tuscany, imbues the composition with a luxurious, velvety softness, its violet-tinged powderiness enhancing the ethereal quality of the roses. Indian tuberose introduces an element of heady white floral richness, its creamy, almost buttery presence lending the heart a seductive allure. The citrus-kissed glow of Tunisian orange blossom enlivens the bouquet, its delicate, honeyed petals providing an uplifting contrast to the opulent floral heart. The mysterious rosindol accord deepens the rose profile, enhancing its velvety, slightly spicy facets.
As the florals begin to fade, a sumptuous, warm base emerges, rich with resins, woods, and animalic sensuality. Venezuelan tonka bean brings a sweet, almond-like warmth, its vanillic undertones complemented by the exotic, creamy richness of Tahitian vanilla. A veil of Tibetan musk wraps around the composition, its soft, powdery presence blending effortlessly with the smoky, almost leather-like depth of Abyssinian civet. Indonesian patchouli, with its dark, earthy facets, anchors the fragrance, its camphorous edge providing contrast to the sweetness of the florals.
The ethereal smoothness of ambergris adds an elusive, skin-like sensuality, while the metallic sheen of rhodium imparts a unique, mineralic brightness. Sumatran styrax and Guatemalan storax, two balsamic resins, add a warm, resinous depth, their slightly smoky, vanilla-tinged notes reinforcing the perfume’s sensuality. The creamy, sacred woodiness of Mysore sandalwood pairs with the sweet, slightly spicy facets of Brazilian rosewood, their synergy creating a rich, polished base. Finally, Java vetiver, with its smoky, rooty complexity, lingers in the drydown, its earthy depth adding a final whisper of intrigue.
Rose Précieuse is an ode to the queen of flowers, a fragrance that captures the essence of roses in their most opulent and romantic form. It is at once fresh and dewy, warm and honeyed, deep and velvety—a rose garden at dawn, bathed in golden light, where the scent of petals mingles with the earth, the breeze, and the tender touch of time itself.
Jacinthe Precieuse:
Jacinthe Precieuse, highlighting hyacinth, might include:
- Top notes: phenyl acetic aldehyde, Dutch jonquil, Calabrian bergamot, "sylvanol", linalool
- Middle notes: Dutch hyacinth, Tunisian orange blossom, Grasse jasmine, Grasse rose, Manila ylang ylang, Indian tuberose, Florentine orris
- Base notes: Brazilian rosewood, Siamese benzoin, ambergris, heliotropin, terpineol, Tonkin musk, Zanzibar clove, Indian musk ambrette, Maltese labdanum, Sumatran styrax
Jacinthe Précieuse unfolds like the first breath of spring, where dewdrops cling to petals and the air is thick with the intoxicating scent of blooming florals. From the very first inhale, the fragrance opens with a luminous freshness, the Calabrian bergamot lending a sparkling citrus clarity, its sun-drenched essence reminiscent of the verdant groves along Italy’s southern coast. This brightness is tempered by the sweet, slightly honeyed nuance of Dutch jonquil, a flower cultivated for its rich, narcotic aroma, its presence hinting at the lush florals to come.
Phenyl acetic aldehyde deepens the opening with a green, slightly animalic floralcy, enhancing the natural dewiness of the bouquet, while sylvanol, a woody-fresh molecule, adds a modern crispness that evokes the scent of rain-soaked leaves. Linalool, with its soft lavender-like sweetness, ties the top notes together, lending a light, herbaceous touch.
As the fragrance settles into its heart, the star of the composition, Dutch hyacinth, emerges in full bloom. Grown in the famed fields of the Netherlands, this variety of hyacinth is particularly prized for its heady, green-floral depth, its scent capturing the essence of spring’s first blossoms. The sharp, verdant facets of the hyacinth are softened by the creamy opulence of Indian tuberose, its carnal, almost buttery richness adding a sensual dimension. Grasse jasmine and Grasse rose, harvested in the legendary flower fields of southern France, infuse the heart with an unmistakable elegance—the jasmine lending a slightly indolic, fruity sweetness, while the rose imparts a velvety depth.
Tunisian orange blossom provides a luminous radiance, its honeyed, citrus-kissed petals blending seamlessly with the tropical warmth of Manila ylang-ylang, whose intoxicating banana-like creaminess enhances the overall floral composition. Florentine orris, one of the most luxurious perfume ingredients, adds a powdery, violet-like sophistication, its buttery warmth grounding the floral opulence with an air of refined softness.
In the base, the fragrance deepens into a rich, sensual embrace. Brazilian rosewood contributes a smooth, slightly spicy-woody depth, its warm resinous undertones intertwining with the balsamic sweetness of Siamese benzoin, known for its rich, vanilla-tinged aroma. Ambergris, with its subtle marine and animalic facets, lends a velvety smoothness, enhancing the fragrance’s longevity and adding a touch of mystery. The almond-like warmth of heliotropin and the earthy, slightly piney essence of terpineol weave through the base, enhancing the creamy woods and resins.
A whisper of spice emerges with Zanzibar clove, its warm, almost medicinal bite adding complexity, while the musk accord—comprised of Tonkin musk and Indian musk ambrette—enshrouds the fragrance in a sensual, skin-like warmth. Maltese labdanum, with its deep, ambery richness, melds seamlessly with Sumatran styrax, whose smoky, leathery nuances add an exotic finish, leaving behind a lingering trail of floral warmth and balsamic sweetness.
Jacinthe Précieuse is a study in contrasts—delicate yet powerful, airy yet grounded, a floral fragrance that captures the fleeting beauty of springtime while anchoring it in the warmth of resins, woods, and musk. It is the embodiment of a hyacinth garden in full bloom, where petals glisten with morning dew, their scent carried on a gentle breeze, whispering of renewal and timeless elegance.
Opalescent Bottle:
Other Bottles:
- Curved Square Crystal Flacon
- Material: Colorless crystal.
- Shape: Curved square, a versatile and elegant design.
- Stopper: Molded with the name "Caron."
- Dimensions: Approximately 3 1/4 inches tall and about 3 inches wide.
- Usage: This bottle was regarded as a standard model and was used for various Caron fragrances, not limited to the "Les Fleurs Precieuses" collection.
Availability of "Les Fleurs Precieuses" Fragrances
- Sizes for Parfum (Extrait): Available in two sizes.
- Other Products: Face powder, Lotion (hair groom), and Eau de Toilette.
- Size for Parfum (Extrait): Available in one size.
- Other Products: Face powder.
Violette Precieuse: The Rare Baccarat Boudoir Bottle
Historical Significance:
Fate of the Fragrance:
Violette Precieuse: Historical Overview and Modern Reinterpretation
- Original Launch Date: 1910 as part of the "Les Fleurs Precieuses" collection.
- Discontinuation: The original Violette Precieuse persisted until 1937, likely discontinued due to the onset of World War II.
- Relaunch: Reformulated, repackaged, and relaunched in 2006.
- Withdrawal: The 2006 version was withdrawn from production by 2011.
Original Composition (Speculated):
- Key Ingredients: Likely based on ionone, violet leaves, and orris root, which were commonly used to create a violet scent.
- Modifiers: Additional notes to round out the fragrance and make it seem more natural, though these specifics are not documented.
2006 Reformulation Notes:
- Top notes: Violet leaf, violet, iris, orange blossom
- Middle notes: Lily of the valley, jasmine
- Base notes: Vetiver, nutmeg, sandalwood, raspberry
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