Thameen Royal Sapphire Review (2019) + The Crown Jewels Giveaway

Thameen Royal Sapphire review

Thameen Royal Sapphire Collage by Olya Bar

It’s not just diamonds that happen to be girls’ best friends; we’ll take sapphires any day. Thank you!

Fragrances are incredibly powerful. They trigger memories, they transport you to another world. One of my most precious memories is my father taking me to the best perfume oil sellers and choosing beautiful fragrances. He was very fond of rose oils and called them his ‘precious jewels’. I inherited his love for perfumes” – Basel Binjabr

Thameen London is a British niche fragrance brand founded by Basel Binjabr that uniquely blends eastern opulence with western refinement. Thameen means precious and derives inspiration from the world’s most precious jewels and often chilling stories behind them. All the fragrances in the collection feel a relatively dynamic, fast-paced burst of notes. It’s almost as if each cut or facet on the stone represents an accord. A blend of sparkling layers as top notes, a deeper rich heart with heady floral essences, and the base serve as a perfect setting.

Prince Albert Brooch inspired Thameen Royal Sapphire

Prince Albert Brooch Courtesy of Getty Images for Royal Watcher Blog

The lead character of today’s review is Thameen Royal Sapphire, which belongs to the Sovereign Collection and encapsulates fragrances inspired by the mystery and majesty of a royal coronation. The history of empires and jewels that have been sought after, fought, and killed over has always been closely tied with royal families across the globe, and the British Empire is no exception. The term “crown jewels” refers to crowns, scepters, orbs, swords, rings, and other regalia worn by a sovereign during various state functions, including the coronation ceremony. The current estimated value of the British Crown Jewels is somewhere between $4 to $6 billion, so it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about gems, wouldn’t you say?

crown via unsplash

The majority of British Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower of London and represent over 800 years of the history of the British monarchy, which is often presented to the public and could be gawked over by tourists. The Imperial State Crown is one of the most famous items housed there, but that is another story for another fragrance from Thameen London someday…

Queen Elizabeth II’s personal collection of jewels is valued at around 39 million pounds, so we can say with absolute certainty that the Queen loves her jewels. Many of the Queen’s collection gems are sapphires inherited from her ancestors and kept hidden beneath Buckingham Palace.

via freepik

Among her most cherished items is the Prince Albert Brooch, an enormous sapphire, which was given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert the day before their wedding. The centerpiece of this brooch is a giant luminous blue sapphire estimated to be around 20-30 carats, surrounded by twelve diamonds. Queen Elizabeth received the brooch in 1952, before she ascended the throne in 1953. It feels like one of the most significant pieces in her collection that’s tied to a very personal life-changing event in Queen’s life. That’s what Thameen Royal Sapphire represents to me. A bright, uplifting zesty bergamot and juicy mandarin oozing from over-ripeness right at the top. The fragrance bursts with optimism and energy and has a pronounced masculine feel. The heart is a more profound, complex bouquet of caramelized orange blossoms and heady jasmine. When the dry-down phase kicks in, you feel like you’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions and personalities. There is a battle of femininity and masculinity within, which feels very fitting considering the role of a Queen she stepped into when she was only 27 years old. A duality of emotions, perhaps as if the vivid ‘masculinity’ has wrapped itself into the floral wraps. The whole composition is set on the warm and grounding sandalwood, leafy patchouli and earthy oak moss which always adds a perfect amount of tenacity to any blend while grounding the entire fragrance with a slightly savory texture. A golden amber accord and soft clean musk complete the profile. Thameen Royal Sapphire is a highly wearable and long-lasting perfume. Think of it as an abstract painting in bright, vivid colors. Modern. Bold. Dynamic.

Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, Orange blossom, jasmine, Gray amber, patchouli, oakmoss, amber, musk.

Thameen London Royal Sapphire was gifted to me, my opinions my own

Olya Bar, Editor

Thameen London Royal Sapphire

Thameen Royal Sapphire by Olya Bar

Thanks to Europerfumes, we are offering a 50ml Thameen Royal Sapphire for one registered CaFleureBon reader in the USA ONLY (if you are not sure if you are registered, click here.). You must register or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please tell us what appealed to you about Olya’s review and if you have a favorite from the brand. Draw closes 09/6/22

PLEASE NOTE OUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT HAS CHANGED @cafleurebonofficial

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @olyabar @thameenfragrance  @official_europerfumes

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed, or your dream prize

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

8 × = 40

37 comments

  • “An abstract painting, in bold, bright colors”: as a painter myself, I love the idea of likening perfumes to paintings, and for some reason it especially makes sense to me with chypres, which this perfume sounds inspired by. Thank you for this review and giveaway!
    WV, USA

  • I did not know Thameen Royal Sapphire is inspired by that blue sapphire brooch of Queen Elizabeth.Olya says Thameen Royal Sapphire is quite a unisex composition that incorporates styles of both eastern and western perfumery styles. I am in US.

  • Wow – I have read about comparing perfumes to paintings and music but comparing to gemstones, diamonds, jewelry etc. is new for me. Thanks Olya for a lovely review of Thameen Royal Sapphire. Beautiful brand name and conceptual idea behind their perfumes. I haven’t tried anything by this brand, yet, so no favorites, yet, but am intrigued by the concept, especially cuts on precious stones being like the accords in a perfume. Thanks for the review and draw. I am from the USA.

  • I enjoyed reading about the crown jewels. I can’t imagine a sapphire as big as 20-30 carats. I like the idea of a “leafy patchouli and earthy oak moss” fragrance. Thanks for another awesome article and draw. Mich USA

  • I’ve never smelled anything by this brand but the notes from this seem right up my ally. I love the story told on this page too.

  • Wonderful to learn more about the crown jewels. Such an interesting idea comparing jewelry, diamonds and gem stones for Fragrance. Thank you for this Chance USA

  • What appealed to me from the review was this was described as a long-lasting perfume. I don’t have a favorite from the brand. US

  • ScentedKnits says:

    I feel like I’ve tended toward very comforting fragrances these last two years, so I’m ready to be taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Something bold and dynamic would do very nicely right now! I love Peregrina from this line. VT, USA

  • John McDonald says:

    What a clever muse for a fragrance all the notes seem very regal to me. Thanks for the giveaways.
    Oklahoma USA

  • Yes I will take sapphires any day (they are my birthstone as well). Basel has good memories with his father to go to smell the perfume oils with his Father). Interesting story about the brooch. A battle between the masculine and feminine, interesting. I hope if I’m the lucky winner I wouldn’t have to hand this over to my husband. Of course I love the bottle color, even though I love sapphires in all the colors. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • Olya Bar take on Thameen Royal Sapphire made me think of making Orange Blossom Panna Cotta , with Candied Orange Slices . I imagined having a trip in Buckingham Palace, seeing all it’s glory and later on eating the Panna Cotta , while sitting on the ground in the near by park.
    Like Olya I also painted an abstract painting in bright colors ✨
    I’m not yet familiar with Thameen
    Appreciate the review, and the giveaway campaign
    USA

  • Olya!!! I Adore Thameen Royal Sapphire!!! I had no idea of the immense & emotional richness of the historic Crown Jewels. The kind & professional people at Beverly Hills Perfumery introduced me to Thameen and I’ve been meaning to grab a bottle (Royal Sapphire is indeed a standout). Love your review, fascinating! Please enter me in the contest! I’d love to own this bottle! Thank you for the opportunity! USA

  • Regent Leather is a great one from Thameen, and I look forward to smelling more from them, based on this great review! NV, USA.

  • What a gorgeous bottle and what a great inspiration for a fragrance! The crown jewels have inspired many artisans and sapphires in particular are so mesmerizing. Caramelized orange blossoms sound so yummy especially in combination with the citrus bomb in the opening. I’m glad to see the feminine florals and gourmand components are balances with the more masculine woods and oakmoss. I’ve never tried anything from this brand. I’m in MD, USA.

  • Thank you Olya for the detailed review. It’s interesting that a perfumer would be inspired by a coronation and try to recreate some portions of it. I’ve only sampled Regent Leather from Thameen London which is currently on my list of to-buy perfumes. Royal Sapphire sounds like quite the gem. I’m in USA

  • Bryant Worley says:

    I’ve never tried any Thameen fragrances, unfortunately. But Olya’s revoew makes this fragrance a must-try. Firstly, I appreciated the little history ‘lesson’ she gave, teaching me somethings I didn’t know. Also, I liked the duality concept, which I want to ser about: “There is a battle of femininity and masculinity within, which feels very fitting considering the role of a Queen she stepped into when she was only 27 years old. A duality of emotions, perhaps as if the vivid ‘masculinity’ has wrapped itself into the floral wrap. The whole composition is set on the warm and grounding sandalwood, leafy patchouli and earthy oak moss which always adds a perfect amount of tenacity to any blend while grounding the entire fragrance with a slightly savory texture.”

    I live in Waldorf, Maryland, USA.

  • I don’t know much about diamonds, but I do know about the British Royal Coronation ceremony, and where the Royalties dress.
    The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Edinburgh do use the services of Gieves & Hawkes , one of the most respected tailors in London . They are holding not one, but three Royal warrants – from HM The Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh , remarkable achievement . Both gentlemen buy shoes at Crockett & Jones shoemaker.
    I had the pleasure of meeting Angela Kelly once , the personal assistant, dresser and milliner of Queen Elizabeth II . For those who don’t know, milliner is basically a hat maker.
    From Royal Sapphire I’m expecting premium quality, and craftsmanship on pair with Gieves & Hawkes , and Crockett & Jones work , that would remind me of blue sapphires
    My favorite Thameen fragrance is Carved Oud
    Thank you Olya and Europerfumes
    USA

  • Andrei Artimon says:

    I love the description of Carmelized
    orange. If a perfume can capture that I’d love it.
    NY, Usa

  • I can only imagine all the things Queen Elizabeth has seen and witnessed over her long reign as Queen. The Prince Albert brooch sounds like a thing to behold. This new fragrance from Thameen sounds like a thing to behold as well. I love all the base notes, and would love to get my nose on something that fights and sways beteen masculinity and femininity. Thank you for the draw as always! In the US.

  • I’m familiar with more than half of Thameen fragrances, and if I have to rate my favorite ones:
    1.Nassak / Carved Oud
    2. Amber Room
    3. Cullinan Diamond
    “The term “crown jewels” refers to crowns, scepters, orbs, swords, rings, and other regalia worn by a sovereign during various state functions, including the coronation ceremony.”

    Regalia plus vestments , altar plates and a few others. Also for example during the 1657 ceremony in Westminster Hall , where Cromwell became Lord Protector there was no Coronation ceremony.
    “Prince Albert Brooch, an enormous sapphire, which was given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert the day before their wedding. The centerpiece of this brooch is a giant luminous blue sapphire estimated to be around 20-30 carats”

    I could very well be wrong, but the brooch looks way bigger
    I don’t know Royal Sapphire, and I wonder if I would relate its zesty, and vivid profile with some life-changing events, like Olya did.
    All profiles I already follow, @waltherp99bg
    Thanks a lot
    USA

  • What a review!!!! I love when a fragrance is complex and full of surprises… I absolutely loved the way Thameen Royal Sapphire was described as a duality of emotions and an abstract painting with bright and vivid colors. A perfume that I’m sure is wearable but definitely an attention grabber!!!! I would love to try it!!!! I’m from Massachusetts, US.

  • Such a complex composition of notes. I knew immediately what you meant when you described it as “There is a battle of femininity and masculinity within”. I immediately got that impression when reading your experience with it. I’ve never smelled any scents from this perfume house before but I am incredibly intrigued and plan to explore their other scents.
    I live in the USA.

  • I felt really in love with the description of this fragrance. Olya made a fantastic job here. The story behind and the British Crown background felt totally cool with this fragrance.
    I love sandalwood and unisex fragrances, so I think this one would be something unique to my collection.
    USA here

  • Interesting review—I enjoyed learning about the British Crown Jewels and the Prince Albert Brooch. Royal Sapphire sounds like a really nice blend of sunny citrus and grounding notes, and some juicy mandarin is perfect for the final days of summer or a nice uplifting kick in the darker months. Thanks for the review, Olya.

    I’m in the USA. I haven’t tried any Thameen fragrances.

  • lisasanderson says:

    The image is superb: royal blue sapphire! I like the mix of masculinity and femininity. I feel like sandalwood matches the image of diamonds! Added patchouli and oak moss makes it lean masculine while floral notes push it in the other direction. I love colognes like that. Would love to try it.
    USA

  • Michael Prince says:

    I loved reading Olya’s review of Thameen Royal Sapphire. I love how Basel Binjabr has created a east meets west style with his fragrances. Royal Sapphire sounds incredible, I loved learning about Queen Elizabeth’s II gift in 1952 from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert a beautiful 20-30 carat blue sapphire. This sounds like beautiful citrus floral blend capturing masculine and feminine traits. My favorite fragrance from Thameen is Carved Oud. I am from the USA.

  • In lieu of a 30 carrot sapphire, I’ll put my hat in the ring for this fragrance. A new house for me but many of my favorite notes. Having English ancestors, I’m sure this one is destiny! “Surely some of them were royalty right lol” thanks for the draw. USA

  • Phillip_Barkley says:

    Greetings everyone
    Fragrances inspired by the mystery and majesty of a Royal Coronation? I’m not only a jeweler , but ex Garrard & Co’s , the at least technically former Crown Jeweler, and I’m amazed that I don’t know Thameen.
    Some of the facts about the British Crown Jewels stated by Ms Bar are actually not true, or at least are debatable. I’ll try to be as short as possible.
    Technically you can’t put a price on the British Crown Jewels, because they are considered priceless, the reason why they are uninsurable . The estimated value is higher, close to double actually.
    Queen Elizabeth II personal collection of jewels theoretical
    value is MUCH, and I really mean MUCH higher than £39mil.
    Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, and Nizam of Hyderabad 1947 wedding gift necklace to the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) alone are estimated to be around £85 and £100 mil. Some jewelers believe Nizam of Hyderabad necklace is the most expensive Royal jewelry worldwide , £70-75 million, and the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara estimated value is between 15 and 25 million pounds.
    In 1840, Prince Albert secretly commissioned Garrard & Co’s to make a sapphire and diamond brooch for his bride to be, Victoria. The ring contains a large oval or cushion shaped sapphire, which is not 20-30 , but at least 40cts. The breath-taking gem is also surrounded by 12 large diamonds, which look to be around 12cts.
    Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, which was originally given to Princess Diana from Prince Charles was inspired by the brooch, again made by Garrard & Co’s
    I hope I didn’t bore you too much, because i can easily keep going for hours, but I doubt anyone else would be interested in such information. Ms Bar review was like a trip to London, Tower of London and Garrard & Co’s , I can’t stop thinking about Thameen now 😉
    Like Ms Bar stated, rollercoaster of emotions , where are my samples?
    Thanks
    American living in Paris, France

  • Regis Monkton says:

    I’m interested to try this fragrance: its list of notes is appealing to me. I became interested in this company when Olya described them as “a British niche fragrance brand founded by Basel Binjabr that uniquely blends eastern opulence with western refinement.” I live in the U.S.A.

  • Classy and refined woody-ambery fragrance , i think I can make a statement wearing Royal Sapphire . I like the the citruses, sandalwood, leafy patchouli – modern and bold fragrance at its best.
    Precious jewels is rather uncommon inspiration for a niche house , I’d appreciate more Thameen reviews on Cafleurebon
    Thanks for the draw
    USA

  • The bottle is so pretty and appropriate for the name! I love thinking of perfumes as jewels…they definitely are jewels for the olfactory sense. I love these scents that straddle a unisex line… very fitting as strong as the queen has had to be over the years! I’ve not tried anything by this line before.

    I live in the USA. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Every time I hear about diamonds and jewelry , I do start thinking about one particular song:
    Men grow cold
    As girls grow old
    And we all lose our charms in the end
    But square-cut or pear-shaped
    These rocks don’t lose their shape
    Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

    Carol Channing – Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best

    It happened again when I read how Thameen took inspiration from sime of the most precious jewels in the world.
    I’ve been to Tower of London, of course the public areas And I saw the Crown Jewels exhibit, experience I’ll never forget .
    There are two Thameen fragrances I’ve sampled , and Royal Sapphire is one of them , the other one is Carved Oud.
    The pronounced masculine feel Olya experienced is nowhere to be seen on my skin . The zesty bergamot-mandarin opening is special, the white florals ,and in the base is where we’re not on the same page. I perceive the tenacity, but not the vivid masculinity, the leafy patchouli and earthy oakmoss. Royal Sapphire at least on my skin is modern fruity-floral amber , with a lot of musk , and close to gourmand sweetness in the base. I also perceive slightly boozy cassis and coconut.
    I was pleased by the history lesson , and Olya contrasting, compared to mine approach to Royal Sapphire
    Royal Sapphire and Carved Oud are awesome to the same extent
    Thank you for the opportunity
    USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the review Olya!

    I love the luminosity of this fragrance. The different notes remind me of the differently colors you see refracted from a beautiful jewel. Warm oranges and reds (citruses) and oranges (florals), cooler blues and greens (amber, oakmoss, patchouli etc).

    I’ve not smelt anything from this brand before and I would love to get my nose on it.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Truly thrilling review Olya! What appealed to me about Olya’s review is the intense sense of history infused in the inspiration behind the perfume. The Prince Albert Broch embodies not only elegance and opulence but also one of the most enduring and epic love stories in history and Royal Sapphire as a scent is infused with that deep history and tradition.

    I do not yet have a favorite from the brand as I have yet to sample any of them but I can’t wait to try a few! I live in the US.