Diamond Girl? Orlov Diamond Collection offers up fabulous fragrance gems
Oh my love, you’re like a precious stone
Part of earth where heaven has rained on
Makes no difference where you are
Oh my love, you’re like a precious stone
Part of earth where heaven has rained on
Makes no difference where you are
Day or night time, you’re like a shinin’ star
How could I shine without you
When it’s about you that I am?
Diamond girl, roamin’ wild
Such a rare thing, radiant child
Are you a diamond girl? Of course you are! Now, you can “represent” by choosing a unique, super-luxurious scent by ORLOV Paris that corresponds to some of the most legendary diamonds in the world. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but the ORLOV Diamond Collection boasts five distinct fragrances, plus two special Elixer Editions are something truly fantastic, as they each contain a genuine diamond, assessed by Orlov Paris’ creative director, Ruth Sery.
The Advice Sisters were planning to suggest the ORLOV Diamond Collection fragrances as a holiday gift idea, but there was so much to say about these amazing fragrances, we felt they deserved their own feature. And, to be honest, wouldn’t this be the perfect way to say “I love you” or even “marry me?” for Valentine’s Day!!! It is January 14th, you have exactly one month to purchase for Valentine’s Day!
The ORLOV Designers: Ruth Séry and Thomas Méaulle
Each diamond has a story, and the designers themselves have a special story as well. The nose who created the Orlov Paris fragrances is Dominique Ropion who is known for literally dozens and dozens of other fragrances, including some of my personal favorites: Armani code (and variations) and FlowerBomb (and variations). But Ruth Sery sought out Monsieur Ropion because she liked his Carnal Flower fragrance.
When she met the former banker Thomas Méaulle (the second part of the Orlov team), he too, was wearing a Ropion scent (Malle’s Vetiver Extraordinaire). Ruth Sery and Thomas Méaulle are not just founders and co-owners of Orlov who used their individual talents to bring the Orlove concept to fruition, they are husband and wife (and they make an adorable couple). Ruth is an experienced gemologist, but it was Thomas who came up with the idea of creating the theme around diamonds and fragrance. It is a brilliant idea, literally and figuratively!
My photo of a diamond included with the special edition Orlov Elixers: Orlov & Star of the Season
Orlov Special Elixer on it’s beautiful case with golden (and re-moveable) corset
Although all of the Orlov Paris fragrances are named after legendary diamonds, the addition of a genuine diamond obviously makes it more expensive, so only two special edition Elixers contain genuine diamonds: the Special Elixir editions of Orlov and Star of the Season. Those special edition Elixir bottles contain a diamond graded and certified by Ruth. The Elixir Editions arrive in spectacular style, in black or white leather trunks, with a red velvet insert.
They’re re-useable, but you may be tempted to keep those Elixers in their lovely packaging anyway. The Elixir fragrances are extrait de parfum concentration meaning the scent is more concentrated, richer and therefore slightly different from the regular edition fragrance (both versions are lovely, but the elixir is more intense). The two Elixir Editions are $1,890.00 each and have a remove-able, golden corset that looks like modern sculpture. Fyi: A 100 ml refill, sold with a funnel, is available in every Orlov fragrance in the collection, including the Elixir Editions.
The Diamond Collection Orlov fragrances (not the elixirs) are no less luxurious and beautiful, but at $330.00, with 100 ml. refills ($270.00) they are somewhat more affordable Each fragrance of the Orlov “Diamond” Collection is available in a (refillable) black or white 75 ml flacon of opaque glass designed to be reminiscent of a faceted gem. Another plus is that most of the Orlov fragrances are unisex. Even the more floral fragrances could be embraced by an adventurous man.
Here are the Orlov Fragrance descriptions:
Orlov: The House of Orlov, as well as the Orlov fragrance that bears the name, is named for the Orlov diamond, a 189.62-carat rose-style cut diamond distinguished by its bluish-green tint. Stolen from a temple in India. As the story goes, this diamond made its way through Iran into the hands of Count Orlov, who offered it to Catherine the Great in the hopes of re-kindly their relationship. She ditched the man but kept the diamond! Should you wish to see the diamond that inspired both Count Orlov and the Orlov fragrances (Elixer and regular) know that it is in the Imperial Scepter of Russia, under the ownership of the Kremlin Diamond Fund. The (non-elixer, no diamond version) is still a stunning presentation. It’s housed in an opaque, milk-white bottle with gold accents. The key notes are classic white flowers: orange blossom, tuberose, and jasmine sambac with bergamot I the top notes and a base of vanilla and musk.
Sea of Light (Dariya-i-noor) is described as a unisex fragrance featuring key notes of citrus notes and also peach and blackcurrant. There are also salty marine notes and musk. The Sea Of Light is one of the largest diamonds in the world at 182 carats. It is known for its’ rose color and its history as part of the Iranian crown jewels.
Cross of Asia: In 1902 the champagne-yellow Cross of Asia diamond was found in South Africa, weighing in at 280-carats in a rough cut. It was re-cut in 1993, reducing the size to 79 carats but boosting its color and brilliance. The key notes in this Cross of Asia fragrance are spicy: geranium and ylang-ylang notes enhancing jasmine and tuberose plus a drydown of amber and musk. To me it’s a light a powdery floral, and it’s definitely for diamond girls who love to sparkle.
Flame of Gold: Most women dream of getting a diamond from that special someone, but when you are an actress and you are an Academy Award-winning actress like Greer Garson you get great gifts, such as the Flame of Gold diamond, a gift from Texas oilman Buddy Fogelson. The 29-carat fancy cut yellow diamond was set in a beautiful necklace for her and, like this flashy stone, the Flame of Gold fragrance is sensual floriental: amber and musk mixed with patchouli, cedar, vanilla and leather. This is a lighter but still spicey unisex scent that will suit a wide variety of people.
Star of the Season: the pear-shaped and very rare diamond, the Star of the Season is a flawless 100.10 carat stone. An Arabian sheik paid $16,500,000 for it in the mid 1990s (that sure beats a sweater or gift card, doesn’t it)? The key notes in this unisex Star of the Season are orange blossom, iris and rose. Patchouli and sandalwood, enhanced by vanilla. The woody, musky fragrances is unisex. At first sniff it smells very fruity and it stays that way for a long while until the spicier and woody notes come through on drydown. This sophisticated scent will appeal as much to men and women.
This is the most fabulous Valentine’s Day gift ever or splurge on yourself and be that fabulous “Diamond Girl” all year long!
The entire Orlov collection is now available at Bergdorf Goodman and Check out the Orlov Paris website for additional details
