Amethyst is the last of the "original" set of the Jewel series, and represents "Balance". It contains sandalwood, cinnamon, and spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi - a plant in the honeysuckle family). It has a sweet musky scent on the stick, white chocolate, tea and herbs also, but mostly it is sweet, musky, sensual, and earthy from the spikenard essential oil. As far as I'm aware, this is my first experience of spikenard, and I love it. This is a precious, ancient, sacred, and adored oil. I've just ordered some! It could replace patchouli as my favourite essential oil to wear.
Added: The company produce an Amethyst Gift Set in which they say that the ingredients are "sandalwood, cinnamon, and saussurea". Saussurea, also called snow lotus, is a plant that grows in the Himalayas along the India-Tibet border. Costus root, which was traded with the Romans, was believed to come from that plant, but is now believed to come from Dolomiaea costus, which grows in South Asia and China, and is made into an essential oil. A search for "saussurea oil" will result in costus root oil. The spikenard oil I ordered has arrived, and it does have a musky earthy scent reminiscent of patchouli - the oil I have is not as sweet as the scent on the Amethyst, and is more earthy and grassy, though does appear to be the same. Costus root oil is reported as also being musky, but more woody and animal like, and is compared to wet dog. I'm not that curious as to buy any!
Though a little sharp, the scent on the burn is the closest to the scent on the stick of the four samples I have burned so far. The scent is dominated by the spikenard, and I'll certainly be on the lookout for other incense that uses spikenard. What a yummy oil it is! The company do say it is one of their more popular incenses, and I can see why. I'd like to experience it with a decent sized incense stick - these little thin sticks are just a little too lacking in an enveloping experience - it's easy to forget the incense is there it makes such a small impact. If the breeze is in the wrong direction, then the scent is gone. Great for those who enjoy an understated and subtle scent experience, but personally I prefer a bit more oomph. At least with a proper packet I could light up two or three longer sticks and settle down to enjoy the view. Hmm, warm, musky, sweet, sensual. Really, my kind of scent. Be nice if the Shoyeido Amethyst blend did a bit more, and if there were other scents to cut in or counter balance, but, hey, spikenard is groovy!
Amethyst is part of Shoyeido's Jewel or Gem series - originally four scents; later increased to eight. They are widely available across the globe. Via the Shoyeido site in the US, LotusZen in the UK, and PadmaStore in the EU, for example.
Date: Jan 2023 Score: 39/50
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