Marilyn once sang that diamonds are a girl’s best friend… Almas is the Arabic word for diamond, so once again we enter the realm of Boadicea the Victorious’ obsession with glittering precious stones. Almas is the Hope Diamond of perfume, a flawless opulent work, plush with rarity and ancient power. Almas by Boadicea the Victorious is an intoxicating floral scent with undulating petal edges and plush ivory beauty, seemingly strangely at odds with the hardcore reputation of diamonds, their intensity and rigid crystalline structure. But what is being explored in this graceful, moreish perfume is the multi-facetted reflection of illuminated power, mystery and moods. Like so much exquisite jewellery, skin and desire are needed to bring perfume to life. Diamonds symbolise endurance and strength, gemstones forged over billions of years of pressured carbon. They have long been considered the to be ultimate precious symbol of love and loyalty. They are also amusing rumours that De Graaf started this idea of diamond wedding rings to counter incursions from sapphires, rubies and other precious stones. Whatever the truth, diamonds are the desired wedding gem, subliminally passing on their attributions to with commitment, dedication and desire. The recent rise in synthetic or lab grown diamonds panicked the gemmology world for a while, but this has settled down and allowed more people to tap into the myths and meanings of diamonds without bankrupting themselves. There is huge snobbery about lab-made diamonds, but it worth remembering that the symbolism is implied not matter the cost. Classic Boadicea notes of oud, rose, jasmine, sandalwood and saffron are laid over herbaceous aromatics of artemisia (often a flavouring in Vermouth and gin), cardamom, the pungent berry-ness of cassis and tropical pineapple. The velveteen rosaceous heart is intriguingly lit up by neroli and clove, with its potent umami & carnation odours. What makes Almas so beautiful and interesting to wear is the soft, textured swoon of the formulation. Vermillion roses and angular aromatics against a tremulous blue sky.