Jacinthia Hyacinth Base — Spring Floral Perfumery Accord | As Used in Chanel No 19

Part of our Professional Perfumers Range — curated for the discerning natural perfumer seeking exceptional depth and rarity.

Jacinthia Hyacinth Base — A Jewel of Classical Floral Perfumery

Hyacinth absolute is one of the rarest and most costly of all natural perfumery materials — a fleeting, intensely green-floral extraction from the spring bulb flower that has shaped the character of some of the most celebrated perfumes in history. Working with it directly is a privilege available to very few, yet its presence in a composition is unmistakable: that particular cold, watery, almost heartbreaking greenness that hyacinth alone possesses, layered over a white floral sweetness of extraordinary refinement.

The Jacinthia Hyacinth Base makes this character accessible in a beautifully pre-balanced form, enriched with many high-class natural absolutes and oils alongside the genuine hyacinth absolute that sits at its heart. The result is a jewel of classical floral perfumery — a base that perfumers describe as "heartbreakingly beautiful and refined… like finding something precious that is too delicate for our coarse present reality." It was used in the original Chanel No 19 — one of the most lauded floral green compositions ever created — and in the Joy formula, where its contribution was decisive.

Scent Profile

The opening is unmistakably and beautifully hyacinth — cold, green, watery, with a transparent freshness that only this material achieves. The characteristic slightly rubbery-green quality of fresh hyacinth petals is present and correctly calibrated: this is not a synthetic approximation but a base built from genuine material, with all the complexity that implies. The heart evolves into a richer white floral depth enriched by the natural absolutes, softening the opening green into something more rounded and radiant. Longevity exceeds 24 hours on a smelling strip — more than sufficient for the role this base typically plays in a composition.

Perfumery Applications

Jacinthia is exceptional in traces — even at very low concentrations it adds an unmistakable hyacinth character that enriches floral compositions with a quality of spring freshness that no synthetic can convincingly replicate. At higher concentrations it becomes an obvious and fully realised hyacinth note, beautiful as a soliflore or as the dominant accord in a spring floral composition.

It is the cornerstone of the classical French spring trilogy of muguet, hyacinth, and lilac — a pairing of compositions that defined French feminine perfumery of the early 20th century and which remains as potent and compelling today. It blends naturally with green notes and violet, making it equally at home in floral chypres and green florals as in purely spring-inspired accords.

Note: IFRA 51 permits 3.53% in finished product (Category 4) — plan formulations accordingly, as a little of this concentrated base goes a very long way.

Blending Suggestions

Classic partners include muguet accords, violet absolute, lily of the valley, galbanum, bergamot, rose absolute, iris, green tea absolute, neroli, and soft musks. The spring trilogy combination with muguet and lilac accords is particularly recommended for a composition of classical French elegance.

Technical Details

• Base Name: Jacinthia Hyacinth Base
• Key Ingredients: Genuine hyacinth absolute, high-class natural absolutes and oils
• Classification: Heart note
• Appearance: Amber liquid
• Odour Family: Floral / Green / Watery / Spring
• Longevity: Over 24 hours on a smelling strip
• IFRA 51: 3.53% in finished product (Category 4)
• Type: Perfumery base — classical formulation

Packaging

1ml sample supplied in a 5ml clear flint glass bottle. 5ml, 10ml and 30ml supplied in amber glass bottles — all with inbuilt droppers and tamper evident caps.

Safety Information

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas. Not suitable for use on babies, children, pets or broken skin. Avoid use during pregnancy or whilst nursing. Always dilute properly and perform a patch test before first use.

Sample Policy

We recommend purchasing a 1ml sample first before committing to larger quantities. Please note that no refunds can be offered on opened items.

Photo images are for illustrative purposes only.