Mineral

160 perfumes

About

Stony, flinty, wet-rock mineral character

Scent Profile

Mineral accords evoke the scent of wet stones, flint, and cool, damp earth. They are typically cool, airy, and abstract, with subtle salty or metallic nuances. The overall impression is clean, stony, and sometimes slightly ozonic or marine.

Signature Notes

Notes most distinctively associated with Mineral fragrances.

Skin Musk 66

Coal 7

Earthy 89

Solar Note 167 Stone 36

Flint 14

Mineral 246

Synthetic 39

Common Notes

Notes most frequently found in Mineral fragrances.

Geosmin 9

Petrichor 25

Coal 7

Daikon Radish

Earthy 89

Potato 2

Salt 442

Flint 14

History

The mineral accord is a relatively modern concept in perfumery, gaining prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries with advances in synthetic aroma chemicals. It draws inspiration from natural phenomena like rain on rocks or the scent of the seashore. Early interpretations often relied on notes like ambergris and certain musks to suggest a mineral effect.

In Perfumery

Perfumers use mineral accords to add a sense of freshness, transparency, or realism to compositions, especially in aquatic, woody, or contemporary fougère fragrances. They are often paired with vetiver, citrus, or marine notes to create a stony or windswept landscape effect. Mineral accords typically appear in the heart or base of a fragrance, providing texture and a subtle, grounding quality.