Scents make a significant impression, as Coco Chanel said, "Perfume is the invisible, unforgettable, fashionable accessory that announces your arrival and prolongs your departure." Your chosen fragrance speaks volumes about you – it's an aromatic representation of your essence.
The 10 Most Expensive Perfumes in the World
Amidst countless options, some perfumes stand out not just for their scent but also for their extravagance. Our list of the most expensive perfumes in the world reflects the pursuit of the ultimate fragrance, with prices driven not only by rare ingredients but also by opulent bottles and exclusivity.
Golden Delicious by DKNY – $20,000 per ml / $1,000,000 per bottle (50ml)
This special edition of DKNY's best-selling perfume range "Golden Delicious" was priced at $1 million making it one of the most expensive perfumes in the world. DKNY teamed up with renowned jewellery designer Martin Katz to design and create the most expensive perfume in the world, of which all proceeds would be donated to the global humanitarian organization, Action Against Hunger.
Its hefty price tag was a result of its stunning bottle that was decorated with 2,909 precious stones set to resemble the New York City skyline. It included 2,700 white diamonds, 183 yellow sapphires, a 7.18-carat oval Cabochon sapphire from Sri Lanka, 15 pink diamonds from Australia, 4 rose-cut diamonds, a 1.6-carat turquoise Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil, a 3.07-carat oval-cut ruby, a 4.03-carat pear-shaped rose-cut diamond and a 2.43-carat flawless, yellow Canary diamond that featured on the cap. The whole process took a team of expert jewellers over 1500 painstaking hours and only one was created.
No. 1 Passant Guardant by Clive Christian – $7600 per ml/ $228,000 per bottle (30ml)
Priced at $228,000, Clive Christian No. 1 Passant Guardant is the world’s priciest cologne, commemorating the Salon de Parfum boutique at Harrods. It's the sole bottle allowed to feature Queen Victoria’s crown, a Maison trademark. Clive Christian has been crafting some of the world’s finest fragrances since 1872 and the Passant Guardant is their most exclusive perfume.
It features an exquisite crystal flacon, adorned with handcrafted 24-carat gold latticework. The team used over 2000 diamonds to embellish it, including yellow diamonds and a rare pink diamond. The fragrance is a blend of bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, ylang-ylang, and spicy neroli, reflecting its intricate craftsmanship.
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Opera Prima by Bvlgari – $3,133 per ml/ $235,000 per bottle (75ml)
Bulgari released the Opera Prima in 2014, to celebrate its 130th anniversary, showcasing their rich origins of high-end Italian craftsmanship. The perfume symbolised their century-old art of jewellery making and perfume making. Perfumer Daniela Andrier created the fragrance which harmonises Mediterranean aromas, offering a fruity essence accentuated by lemon and orange blossom notes.
The perfume featured an opulent flacon crafted by Italian glass virtuoso Venini and featured 250 carats of citrine, 4.45 carats of amethyst, and 25 carats of diamonds along with gold leafing. On January 25, 2018, Bulgari announced the sale of Opera Prima, one of the priciest fragrances in history, fetching $235,000.
J’adore L’or Prestige Edition by Dior - $750 per ml/ $75,000 per bottle (100ml)
In 2016, Dior revealed a limited-edition 100ml bottle of their top-selling scent, revamped with fresh notes to honour the brand’s heritage in fashion and fragrance. This exclusive fragrance, available in very limited quantities globally, was presented in an exquisite crystal and pearl bottle with a stunning bow embellished with 30 round-cut diamonds and 10 pear-cut diamonds.
It featured a pleated gold cap handcrafted by a Baccarat Master Engraver and enclosed in a bespoke handcrafted leather couture case. While traditional J’Adore bottles house the original 1999 formula and retail for $150, this special edition offers a luxurious twist on the classic fragrance, appealing to collectors of Dior’s iconic scents.
1 Million Luxe Edition by Paco Rabanne – $570 per ml/ $57,000 per bottle (100ml)
The Paco Rabanne 1 Million Luxe Edition is one of the most expensive perfumes in the world tailored specifically for men. Priced at $57,000, this Luxe edition fragrance is encased in a golden case topped with a diamond crown by Noe Duchaufour-Lawrence. Each bottle was individually numbered and can be refilled endlessly even though the perfume is not on sale anymore.
It has an enticing note that includes seductive blood orange, grapefruit, cinnamon, mint, rose, spices, light leather, white wood, patchouli, and amber, crafted by esteemed perfumers Christophe Raynaud, Olivier Pescheux, and Michel Girard.
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Shumukh by Nabeel – $500 per ml/ $1.29 million per bottle (2580ml)
Shumukh by Nabeel stands as the world's most opulent perfume, priced at $1.29 million for a bottle. The perfume maker spared no expense, housing the exquisite perfume in a three-litre crystal bottle embellished with pure silver, 18-carat gold, and over 3,571 precious stones. The scent, a blend of pure Indian agarwood, patchouli, incense, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, Turkish rose, amber, and a few undisclosed ingredients required three years of research and around 500 tests to perfect.
Crafted by Dubai’s master perfumer, Asghar Adam Ali, its grand unveiling at the Burj Khalifa's Armani Ballroom showcased its opulence. Reflecting Dubai’s heritage, the extravagant bottle is showcased in a towering leather case, standing almost 2 metres tall and featuring details from seven key aspects of the UAE. Though it is the most expensive perfume you can buy because it comes in a 3-litre bottle, its price per ml puts it in the sixth position on our list.
Parfum VI by Gianni Vive Sulman – $445 per ml/ $89,000 per bottle (200ml)
Perfume VI by Gianni Vive Sulman is a sultry scent praised for its blend of jasmine, Grasse roses, and undisclosed natural ingredients. Its crystal flacon, accented with gold and exotic wood, contributes to its price tag. Graced with a diamond-studded stopper, rubies, and a gold-encrusted key, the bottle exudes extravagance. Limited to 173 pieces, it was a favourite of Michael Jackson, who bought a couple of bottles of this fragrance upon its 1998 release.
No. 1 Majesté impériale by Clive Christian – $430 per ml/ $215,000 per bottle (500ml)
In 2006, Clive Christian unveiled a special fragrance for his esteemed clientele: 500ml of absolute perfume oil housed in an exquisite bottle crafted by the master glass blowers of Baccarat. Each bottle, made of polished crystal, features an 18-carat gold collar embracing a five-carat white diamond. With only ten bottles produced, seven were acquired by private collectors while the remaining three travel the world as part of Clive Christian’s exclusive collection.
The perfume itself, known as No.1 Majesté Impériale is revered by Clive Christian's fans as "the perfume of his heart." Each fragrance contains the most concentrated form of fragrance oil, ensuring unmatched richness, depth, and longevity. Combining key focus notes from the original collection, the perfume is presented in a hand-cut crystal flacon and housed in a hand-crafted walnut burr box.
At its base, creamy sandalwood harmonises with aromatic musk, warm clove, smooth vanilla, and spirited vetiver. Bright top notes of bergamot and zesty Sicilian mandarin blend seamlessly with soothing ylang-ylang and sweet, honeyed neroli, creating a truly exquisite scent.
Pleine Lune sur le Nil by Parfums De Burmann, $75,000 per bottle
During the launch of the newly established Burmann perfume company and shop on the Champs Elysees, in 1934 they revealed the extraordinary Pleine Lune sur le Nil (Full Moon on the Nile)'. However, due to its exorbitant manufacturing costs, Pleine Lune sur le Nil was swiftly discontinued after its release and the company was shut down.
In April 2023, the Perfume Bottles Auction conducted its live online auction in conjunction with the 35th annual IPBA convention, featuring an exceptional variety of bottles and vanity items from private collections worldwide, many of which were extremely rare and fresh to the market. At that auction one of the only remaining bottles of the Pleine Lune sur le Nil by Parfums De Burmann was offered for sale.
The bottle belonged to one of the descendants of its founders and has been owned by the family since 1934. The perfume fetched $75,000 at the auction. It was housed in a remarkable black glass bottle with enamelled Egyptian hieroglyphics, topped by a gold-painted metal pyramid cover which was inspired by the Luxor obelisk in Paris.
Morreale Paris Le Monde Sur Mesure - $300 per ml/ $1.5 Million per bottle (5000ml)
Morreale Paris' bespoke collection, Le Monde sur Mesure, is one of the most exclusive perfumes in the world. Handcrafted over nearly a year, each scent is tailored to the individual using only the rarest and most distinctive ingredients. According to master Perfumer JP Morreale, his team meticulously translates the essence of the client into olfactory sensations, capturing memories, emotions, and aspirations. The finished perfume, housed in a bottle with a unique serial number and decorated with precious stones, reflects the client's essence and aesthetic preferences. As one of the most expensive perfumes in the world with prices in the range of $1.5 million, the bottle is delivered via a private jet with full security detail upon purchase.
The world of fragrance is ever-changing, and these perfumes showcase the passion of craftsmen to create some of the most exquisite and unique perfumes in the world. A lot of these perfumes are impossible to get and are no longer in production adding to their exclusivity. Each bottle encapsulates a story of creativity and luxury, making them coveted treasures for perfume enthusiasts worldwide.
