Fleurs Precieuse by Caron c1910

Fleurs Precieuse by Caron: launched in 1910. Contrary to contemporary belief, Precieuse was not an individual fragrance in itself but was a line of three floral fragrances by Caron called Les Fleurs Precieuses. It included: Violette Precieuse, Rose Precieuse and Jacinthe Precieuse. Ernest Daltroff lent his expertise to the creation of these precious fragrances. In a 1913 ad, it states that they were presented in "artistic opaque bottles."

Rose Precieuse Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: rose, palmarosa, rose geranium, geraniol, citronellyl acetate, aldehyde C10, Norol, phenylethyl alcohol, citronellol
• Middle notes: rose, honey, jasmine, orris, tuberose, orange blossom
• Base notes: tonka bean, vanilla, musk, civet, patchouli, ambergris, rhodium

As I inhale the opening of Rose Precieuse, a delicate and intoxicating wave of rose blossoms forth, vivid and dewy, as if freshly picked at dawn. This rose is layered with palmarosa, lending an herbaceous, green nuance that softens the floral richness. Rose geranium adds an uplifting citrusy-rosy twist, merging seamlessly with citronellyl acetate, which enhances the sparkling, lemony facets. The aldehyde C10 introduces a clean, soapy brilliance, its crispness blending with Norol’s subtle fruity-green undertone. Phenylethyl alcohol imparts a fresh, sweetly floral character that magnifies the rose’s natural beauty, while citronellol rounds out the top notes with a soft, citrus-infused rosiness.

As the heart emerges, the rose deepens, becoming more sensual and honeyed, as if draped in golden syrup. Honey notes contribute a warm, sticky sweetness, while jasmine infuses the composition with its narcotic, white-floral opulence. The orris root adds a powdery elegance, its earthy richness grounding the bouquet while complementing the delicate sweetness of tuberose. Orange blossom dances alongside, its bright, slightly bitter citrus tones providing a sunny contrast to the other florals, making the heart feel luminous and radiant.

The base of Rose Precieuse unfolds with velvety warmth. Tonka bean introduces a soft, creamy sweetness, blending seamlessly with the comforting embrace of vanilla. Musk adds a clean, skin-like sensuality, while civet imbues the base with an animalic hint, lending depth and intrigue. Patchouli brings an earthy, slightly smoky edge, its richness harmonizing beautifully with ambergris, which contributes a salty, resinous warmth. Rhodium, a rare and subtle note, imparts a metallic shimmer, adding an unexpected sophistication that lingers on the skin like a whisper of luxury.

This fragrance is a masterful blend of natural beauty and refined artistry, where every ingredient complements the rose in a symphony of floral, sweet, and warm nuances, creating an experience both timeless and extraordinary.

Jacinthe Precieuse Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: phenylacetic aldehyde, hyacinth, bergamot, cinnamic alcohol, ionone  
• Middle notes: hyacinth, orange blossom, jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, tuberose, orris
• Base notes: benzoin, ambergris, heliotropin, terpineol, Tonkin musk, clove, rhodinol

As Jacinthe Precieuse unveils itself, the top notes greet me with a burst of freshness and complexity. Phenylacetic aldehyde strikes first, offering a honeyed, slightly animalic sweetness that feels both warm and inviting. Immediately, the green and dewy essence of hyacinth emerges, evoking the scent of lush spring gardens heavy with bloom. The sparkling brightness of bergamot dances alongside, lending a citrusy, effervescent lift. Cinnamic alcohol introduces a gentle spiciness, reminiscent of warm cinnamon bark, while ionone weaves in a soft, powdery violet nuance, balancing the opening with its velvety allure.

As the heart unfolds, the hyacinth deepens, its green and slightly peppery facets mingling harmoniously with the creamy white floral richness of jasmine and the opulent, honeyed warmth of ylang-ylang. Tuberose adds an intoxicating, buttery lushness that saturates the air with its sensuality. Meanwhile, rose contributes a timeless, romantic elegance, and orange blossom offers a fresh, citrus-inflected sweetness that lightens the floral bouquet. Orris root, with its powdery and slightly earthy character, grounds the floral ensemble, adding a refined texture that feels both sophisticated and enduring.

The base notes settle like a soft, enveloping caress. Benzoin provides a resinous, vanilla-like warmth, creating a comforting foundation that is accentuated by the saltiness and subtle animalic depth of ambergris. Heliotropin brings a powdery, almond-like sweetness that is both delicate and enveloping. Terpineol adds a soft piney freshness, lending a subtle aromatic quality that contrasts beautifully with the creamy warmth of Tonkin musk. A hint of clove introduces a spicy, slightly smoky edge, while rhodinol, with its rose-like citrusy sweetness, ties back to the heart’s floral radiance.

Jacinthe Precieuse is a symphony of contrasts and harmonies—airy yet lush, sweet yet green, delicate yet bold. Each ingredient is masterfully woven into a narrative that transports you to a serene spring morning, where nature's beauty is at its most vibrant and intoxicating.

Violette Precieuse Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: verbena, methyl heptin carbonate, cassie, almond, geranium, violet, bergamot, methyl ionone
• Middle notes: farnesol, jasmine, orris root, rose, heliotropin, tuberose
• Base notes: benzyl acetate, vanillin, tolu balsam, musk, ambrette, santalol, storax

The journey of Violette Precieuse begins with an enchanting top accord that dances with sparkling vibrancy and soft, powdery whispers. Verbena emerges first, with its lemony-green sharpness, reminiscent of fresh herbs crushed between your fingers. Methyl heptin carbonate follows, lending a crisp, slightly ozonic fruitiness, as if catching a whiff of tart green apples on a cool breeze. Cassie, with its golden, honeyed floral aroma, intertwines with the nutty sweetness of almond, creating a silky softness. The distinctive greenness of geranium adds a fresh, slightly peppery edge, perfectly framing the violet, which unfurls with a delicate, powdery grace. Bergamot lifts the blend with its sparkling citrus brightness, while methyl ionone’s velvety violet undertone ties the bouquet together, lending a nostalgic, vintage air.

As the fragrance unfolds into its heart, it deepens into an opulent floral symphony. Farnesol, with its soft, floral warmth, bridges the delicate jasmine’s creamy, heady sensuality and the tender, powdery elegance of orris root. Rose adds a classic, romantic richness, while heliotropin brings a powdery, almond-like sweetness that is both comforting and luxurious. Tuberose emerges as the heart’s centerpiece, voluptuous and narcotic, filling the air with its intoxicating, creamy richness that seems to linger on the skin like a soft caress.

In the base, Violette Precieuse settles into a warm, enveloping embrace. Benzyl acetate introduces a sweet, floral fruitiness, blending seamlessly with the gourmand allure of vanillin’s creamy vanilla essence. Tolu balsam adds depth with its resinous, slightly spicy sweetness, while musk lends a soft, sensual warmth that enhances the skin-like intimacy of the composition. Ambrette, with its subtle nuttiness and faintly fruity, musky quality, amplifies this effect, creating a cozy yet sophisticated aura. Santalol, the heart of sandalwood, provides a creamy, woody richness, while storax adds a touch of smoky, balsamic depth that lingers beautifully in the drydown.

Violette Precieuse is a tender, multifaceted fragrance that evokes a sense of timeless elegance and gentle sophistication. Its interplay of green freshness, powdery florals, and warm, resinous depths feels like a love letter to the classic beauty of violets, wrapped in a luxurious, modern embrace.

Bottle:

Conical amphora type perfume bottle of pressed molded, bluish opalescent glass, its shoulders are molded with stalactites or icicles which continue down the sides. The early Caron bottles seemed to feature this icicle theme, which you could also seen used on the unique bottles for Parfum Radiant and Rarissime.  

The bottle is fitted with an opalescent glass stopper,  molded in the shape of an ancient Egyptian scarab. The name "Caron" is molded into the neck, which also features molded floral design, and then painted with gold enamel. The bottle was designed by Julien Viard and produced in France by both Cristallerie de Pantin and Cristal Romesnil. The bottle measures 6" long.  

The bottle could also be found in amber colored opalescent glass as well as an unusual marbled opalescent glass in amber, blue, pink and green tones. It is also possible to find the bottles without the molded neck. I believe that these different colors were used to differentiate the different Precieuse floral odors. Jacinthe was probably in the yellow, Rose in the pink/amber/blue/green, and Violette in the blue.

It was housed in an oval shaped poplar wood box, covered with gold leather. 

 

 

Also came in amber shaded opalescent glass.

Opalescent glass bottle. This model is exceptional and rare with its different marbled, amber, bluish and green tones.  

Other bottles included the "curved square" colorless crystal flacon with the stopper molded with the name Caron. This bottle is regarded as a standard model as it was used for various Caron fragrances. The bottle approximate height is 3 1/4 inches tall and about 3 inches wide.

Violette Precieuse was available in two sizes for the Parfum (extrait), as well as face powder, Lotion (hair groom) and Eau de Toilette. Rose Precieuse was only available in one size for the Pafum (extrait), but was also available in face powder.

A rare bottle was made by Baccarat. 

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Out of the three known Precieuse scents, only Violette lasted to 1937. It was discontinued, most likely due to the outbreak of the Second World War. It was reformulated, repackaged and relaunched in 2006. However, by 2011, it was withdrawn from production. 

The newer edition from 2006 has the following notes:

• Top notes: violet leaf, violet, iris and orange blossom
• Middle notes: lily of the valley and jasmine
• Base notes: vetiver, nutmeg, sandalwood and raspberry

 How much it resembles the original 1913 version, I cannot say as I haven't had the fortune of obtaining a sample of the antique scent. The original version was most likely based on a blend of ionone, violet leaves and orris root to mimic the violet odor. Other notes known as modifiers would have helped to round out the fragrance to make it seem more natural.