I am currently obsessed with the idea of perfume pendants. I am not super into pendants but vials suspended by chains that serve more than one purpose is an intriguing idea to me. This reminds me of Princess Tamina in the movie Prince of Persia. Although hers wasn’t a perfume pendant.
So what is exactly a perfume pendant and what purpose does it serve?
Perfume pendants or perfume bottle lockets are both a piece of jewellery and perfume carriers, suspended by a chain or a thread to be carried around necks. The pendant can be an openable pendant made with different types of metal, or a glass vial that can carry any perfume, or oil, in small quantities like 2 ml or 5 ml.
What’s inside the perfume pendants?
There are different forms of perfume pendants or perfume jewellery, and they can contain any of the below forms of fragrance.
- Perfumed balm: Perfume balm is a form of solid perfume which are alcohol-free, unlike the common form of perfume we have in the market. The texture of a perfume balm is solid but also like. Well, balm. But not as light as a vaseline. But more accurate is to compare it with lipstick, which is a good balance of waxy and creamy.
Solid perfumes like perfumed balm can be just another thing to explore in the perfumery world because it has their own charms. They can give off a softness in their aroma in their waxy state which they cannot after dissolved in alcohol.
- Potpourri: Potpourri are commonly found in porcelain bowls on tables in some homes – which are basically dried flower petals, herbs, leaves and spices. One way to carry potpourri in jewellery is in openable and hollow medallions with holes in them – which helps with the diffusion of the perfume.
- Essential oil: There’s no aromatherapy without essential oils, and without it, the topic of perfume pendants won’t be complete. If you want to carry essential oil with you to smell good or uplift your mood, then you can do so by using openable medallions, perfume vials, and pieces of wood.
In medallions, there’s a small felt( a piece of woollen cloth) that can be infused with essential oil and placed inside the medallion.
- Perfume: If you want to carry your favourite liquid perfume, EDTs or EDPs, while travelling, you can use perfume vials, which are fashionable and suspended from chains. There are also antique-looking bottle necklaces or more minimalist-looking ones in the market that come with a spike, also known as perfume dauber, that also acts as a cap for the bottle. Very convenient, isn’t it?
History of Perfume Pendants
Perfume pendants can be a modern fashion trend but the whole concept is vintage – a thing of the past. As far as my research goes, perfume pendants or perfume jewellery have existed since the 1600s. For example, look at this collection of perfume pendants in The British Museum.
But perfume jewellery began to trend only in the 18th century, including rings or chatelaines that contained some form of perfume. These were considered a luxury, and convenient because they carried a pleasing scent. At some point in history, people also used such pieces of jewellery as a fight against air-borne disease assuming bad air is the cause of diseases.
Companies like Avon, Oriflame, Mary Kay, and Estee Lauder are some of the companies that used to hand out limited pieces of their perfume jewellery to their buyers.
Purpose of Perfume Pendants
- Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is an old-age custom, which is practised for healing and lifting up spirits. You can wear any of your favourite oils with a pendant that will be with you all throughout the day. In case anyone is using perfume pendants for aromatherapy, they will most likely use essential oils in their pendants.
- Perfume carrier: Tiny vials with chains can carry anywhere from 2ml of your favourite EDP or EDT, and apply it to your skin when your first application wears off. It’s like the decants you carry in your purse.
- Fashion: Perfume pendants or perfume jewellery can be a fun fashion statement. Especially if you are cosplaying medieval characters, or want to stand out with a unique fashion sense. Apart from that if you are into both jewelleries and perfumes in general, it can be a great way to carry your scent.
- Alternative to EDPs or EDTs: If perfumes don’t react alright with your skin chemistry, or if you don’t like spraying perfume on your skin or your clothes, because of allergy perfume pendants can be great. Because you can often ‘wear’ solid perfume. Also a suitable alternative if you want to avoid anything alcohol in your life.
Trends
While perfume pendants or perfume pieces of jewellery are not common where I come from, or in fashion right now, I think this style can be a personalized fashion sense for anyone who likes jewellery, perfumes and fashion in general.
Especially if you want to try and explore more in the indie fragrance world and solid perfumery world, this is one of the creative ways to explore and enjoy your perfume.
Takeaway:
I am determined to explore the world of perfume jewellery more with time. I’ll definitely share my favourite findings.
