Help! My Perfume Has Sediment and has Darkened

I get a lot of questions from readers who cannot understand why their vintage perfume has little things floating in them. I have definitely had my share of bottles that had the floaties in some of my old perfumes too. This is mainly due to the natural decomposition process of the perfume. 

According to some of the questions I get from readers, they are afraid they may have unknowingly bought a counterfeit. While it is true that many modern counterfeits may have nasty bits floating in the suspicious fluid, there are perfectly reasonable explanations why you could find sediment in your genuine vintage bottle. 

If you collect vintage perfume you will notice some of the resins tend to collect in the bottom of the bottle. The sediment is actually the natural oils and essences coagulating as they start to break down. The alcohol and water inside will probably start to evaporate slowly over time and you will be left with a thick, syrupy concentrated perfume residue inside.

Miss Zadig by Emilio Pucci c1973

Miss Zadig by Emilio Pucci: launched in 1973.

Ce Soir ou Jamais by Parfums Offenthal c1927

Parfums Offenthal of Paris was established by Lucienne Offenthal, a purse maker at 24 rue de la Paix, Paris in 1925. She sold perfume, luxury giftware and purses under the "Pompadour" name in the 1920s - 1930s. The "Pompadour" shop was at 78 Champs Elysées, Paris in the Arcades (in 1928)

Offenthal was best known for her Ce Soir ou Jamais perfume, launched around 1927. This perfume was a favorite of the actress Sylvia Sidney.

Parfums Du-Be

 PARFUMS DU BÉ of 245 Fifth Avenue, New York. NY was established in 1936.

IPBA Annual Convention 2018

It's getting to be that time of year again! The International Perfume Bottle Association's annual convention will be held in Tyson's Corner, VA from April 26th, 2018 to April 29th, 2018.


A three-day extravaganza featuring the world's premiere exhibition and sale with the field's leading dealers featuring thousands of bottles and an internationally recognized auction. The convention draws together collectors and dealers from around the world.

https://www.perfumebottles.org/upcoming-convention/3868/Annual-Convention-2018

Last year, I was finally able to attend a convention, held in Princeton, NJ, and while I was only there for a few short hours, I got to take some photos of the exhibits and items for sale by our friendly members.

Rumba by Balenciaga c1988

 Rumba by Balenciaga: launched in 1988. In USA in 1989. Created by Ron Winnegrad and Jean-Claude Ellena.

This was Balenciaga's first fragrance launched after the take-over by Jacques Bogart. Bogart acquired Balenciaga in 1986.

In 1996, Jacques Bogart SA, Paris  acquired Ted Lapidus. Fragrance brands included Ted Lapidus, Faconnable and Balenciaga. The Ted Lapidus company was owned by Altus, a former division of the Credit Lyonnais state-owned bank, which was spun off by the French government.

Augusta Bernard et Cie

Established by Augusta Bernard at 3 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honore, Paris in 1927; couture house, like many of its contemporise it added fragrances to add value to its cloths, launched L’Heure Blonde in 1928; closed in 1934. Perfume labels will be marked with the name "augustabernard" as one word.



The perfumes of Augusta Bernard:

• 1928 L'Heure Blond
• c1930 Parfum Mon Secret
• c1930 Aveu d'Amour

Wenck

"The Wenck" Perfume Mfg Co. 77 Franklin Street, New York City. 

Laboratory and office at 381 Sixth Ave, New York City (in 1876).

Oh La La by Ciro c1959

Oh La La by Ciro: launched in 1959. Oh La La, pronounced "ooh la la".