For some of us, perfume is simply a quintessential part of our morning routine, grabbed off the shelves for under $100. But according to Coco Chanel, “perfume is the invisible, unforgettable, fashionable accessory that announces your arrival and prolongs your departure.” If that’s true, the perfume you choose carries a lot of weight—It’s an aromatic representation of all you are.
Still, the question remains. Is any fragrance really worth a million dollars? Probably not in isolation.
But when perfume comes in a vessel embellished with expensive diamonds and other rare gems, it just might. In fact, the prices of the most expensive perfumes are just as much about the bottles as they are about the scarcity of ingredients and the opulence of the blends.
Inspired by Ancient Egyptian mythology, Les Larmes Sacrées de Thèbes by Baccarat comes in a pyramid-shaped vessel, handcrafted from crystal and embellished by an amethyst cap. Michael Jackson’s favorite fragrance, Parfum VI by Gianni Vive Sulman, rests within a gold and exotic wood crystal flacon featuring a diamond stopper and ruby-encrusted key. While Shumukh by Nabeel comes in a three-liter bottle, which lies within a towering, 2-meter leather case.
Journey with us through this list of the most expensive perfumes in the world, ranked according to their price per ounce.
11 most expensive perfumes in the world
11. Flowerbomb Haute Couture by Viktor & Rolf – $1,588 per ounce
Launched in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Flowerbomb—one of the most popular women’s perfume—this exclusive edition further emphasizes Viktor & Rolf’s renowned opulence and exclusivity through decadent floral notes and exquisite extracts. The 3D-printed rose gold bottle is also a nod to the Dutch luxury fashion house’s constant innovation and perpetual relevance.
| Country of origin: | The Netherlands |
| Launch year: | 2020 |
| Price per bottle: | $2,700 (1.7 oz, 50ml) |
10. Jardin Nocturne Parfum by Shialini – $1,764 per ounce
Priced at $3,000 per bottle, this fragrance combines the essences of oud, jasmine, and saffron, resulting in a captivating aroma. Encased in the meticulously crafted Lalique crystal flacon named “Le Tourbillons,” the design evokes the ethereal beauty of moonlit gardens.
The perfume’s unique blend of scents and inspired visual presentation capture the night’s etherealism and sensuality.
| Country of origin: | France |
| Launch year: | 2017 |
| Price per bottle: | $3,000 (1.7 oz, 50ml) |
9. No.1 by Clive Christian – $2,150 per ounce
Renowned as one of the world’s leading designers, Clive Christian has extended his impeccable taste from kitchens to the realm of prestige perfumery. The launch of Clive Christian No.1 in 2001 showcases his signature style flawlessly. Available in distinct versions for men and women, this perfume combines classic scents such as jasmine, rose, and amber.
But it’s not just the opulent fragrance that is worthy of such a price tag, it’s also the fact that the gorgeous scent resides within a magnificent crystal bottle embellished with a 24-karat gold-plated sterling silver neck.
| Country of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Launch year: | 2001 |
| Price per bottle: | $3,655 (1.7 oz, 50ml) |
8. Les Larmes Sacrées de Thèbes by Baccarat – $6,800 per ounce
With a legacy spanning almost three centuries, Baccarat, a renowned crystal manufacturer, ventured into the realm of perfumery during the 1990s. The result? One of the world’s most exclusive—only three bottles released—and expensive fragrances: Baccarat Les Larmes Sacrees de Thèbes. Inspired by Ancient Egyptian mythology, the pyramid-shaped vessel is handcrafted from crystal, and adorned with an amethyst cap. While its spicy and woody essence encompasses notes of bergamot, myrrh, frankincense, and sandalwood.
| Country of origin: | France |
| Launch year: | 1998 |
| Price per bottle: | $6,800 (1 oz, 30ml) |
7. No. 1 Majesté impériale by Clive Christian – $12,722 per ounce
Christian himself has fondly described it as “the perfume of his heart”. Expertly crafted by renowned British perfumer Roja Dove, this luxury fragrance presents an aromatic floral symphony combining velvety vanilla, musk, and vivacious vetiver with invigorating notes of bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, ylang-ylang, and honeyed neroli. Encased in a hand-cut crystal flacon with an 18-karat gold neck, the majestic bottle is equally befitting of such a name. It is adorned with a five-carat white diamond, carefully selected by private collectors.
A mere ten bottles of this extraordinary fragrance were ever produced, each one valued at an astonishing US$215,000.
| Country of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Launch year: | 2006 |
| Price per bottle: | $215,000 (17 oz, 500ml) |
6. Parfum VI by Gianni Vive Sulman – $13,088 per ounce
A favorite of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, you just can’t beat it (pun intended.) This sultry perfume was praised by designer Gianni Vive Sulman as being the best possible combination of the richness of Jasmine, Grasse roses, and a selection of undisclosed natural ingredients.
Like many of the most expensive perfumes in the world, the bottle itself is equally responsible for such a price tag. The crystal flacon is accented with gold and exotic wood. While the diamond-adorned stopper and ruby-encrusted key further add to the opulence of this gorgeous scent.
| Country of origin: | France |
| Launch year: | 1998 |
| Price per bottle: | $89,000 (6.8 oz, 200ml) |
5. Shumukh by Nabeel – $14,786 per ounce
Priced at $1.29 million, Shumukh by Nabeel is the most expensive perfume in the world. But because it comes in a three-liter bottle, the price per ounce puts it at number five on our list of most expensive perfumes. Unveiled with grandeur at the Armani Ballroom of the Burj Khalifa, Shumukh is an exquisite composition, blending Indian agarwood, sandalwood, musk, Turkish rose, and an array of undisclosed ingredients, carefully crafted by Dubai’s master perfumer, Asghar Adam Ali.
Reflecting Dubai’s heritage through symbolic accents, the extravagant bottle is displayed in a towering leather case, standing at almost 2 meters. Only one bottle of Shumukh exists, amplifying its rarity and undoubtedly increasing its value as time passes.
| Country of origin: | UAE |
| Launch year: | 2019 |
| Price per bottle: | $1,290,000 (87.2 oz, 2580ml) |
4. 1 Million Luxe Edition by Paco Rabanne – $16,856 per ounce
Created by the skilled perfumers Christophe Raynaud, Olivier Pescheux, and Michel Girard, the expensive fragrance unravels its captivating notes of seductive blood orange, invigorating grapefruit, warm cinnamon, refreshing mint, delicate rose, alluring spices, subtle leather, white wood, rich patchouli, and enticing amber.
As one of the most expensive perfumes for men, it is encased in an equally extravagant golden bottle and crowned with a diamond. Each bottle in this limited edition series is individually numbered and can be refilled with the perfume time and time again.
| Country of origin: | Spain |
| Launch year: | 2008 |
| Price per bottle: | $57,000 (3.4 oz, 100ml) |
3. Opera Prima by Bvlgari – $92,662 per ounce
Released in 2014, the Opera Prima by Bulgari is a magnificent masterpiece priced at US$235,000. The opulent fragrance enchants with its fruity essence, accentuated by the vibrant notes of lemon and orange blossom.
The visual allure of the perfume is equally enticing. Designed by Italian glass aficionado Venini, the luxurious flacon features citrine, amethyst, and diamond accents, each of which elevates the bottle to magnum opus status.
| Country of origin: | Italy |
| Launch year: | 2014 |
| Price per bottle: | $235,000 (2.5 oz, 75ml) |
2. No. 1 Passant Guardant by Clive Christian – $224,758 per ounce
Priced at $228,000, Clive Christian No. 1 Passant Guardant is the world’s most expensive cologne. Designed to commemorate the inauguration of the Salon de Parfum boutique at Harrods, this perfume is the only bottle that has been granted permission to showcase Queen Victoria’s iconic crown, an exclusive trademark of the historically significant Maison.
Like the vessel it comes in, the fragrance itself is crafted with utmost intricacy and attention to detail, as it features a multifaceted composition of bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, ylang-ylang, and spicy neroli.
| Country of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Launch year: | 2014 |
| Price per bottle: | $228,000 (1 oz, 30ml) |
1. Golden Delicious by DKNY – $591,470 per ounce
Priced at $1 million, this special edition of the Golden Delicious range by DKNY was designed for a charitable cause, and all proceeds were donated to Action Against Hunger.
The brand commissioned a team of expert jewelers to work on the bottle for over 1,500 hours. The result? A gorgeous vessel adorned with 2,909 precious stones, including 2,700 white diamonds, 183 yellow sapphires and other carefully chosen rare gems. Of course, you can purchase a bottle of Golden Delicious for under $50, but the bottle won’t have quite the same allure.
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Launch year: | 2011 |
| Price per bottle: | $1,000,000 (1.7 oz, 50ml) |
Conclusion: The world’s most expensive perfume
Showcasing incredible craftsmanship, innovation, and extravagance, these extraordinary fragrances are permeated by unparalleled opulence. Each scent represents a unique blend of rare and precious ingredients, meticulously curated to create olfactory masterpieces.
The bottles themselves are equally impressive, encased in crystal, adorned with precious gemstones, and designed with unrivaled attention to detail. They not only house the luxurious elixirs within but also serve as symbols of status and exclusivity.
And released in limited editions, the 11 most expensive perfumes in the world harness the power of exclusivity and elitism to create an olfactory experience that the world’s most prominent figures and collectors are willing to pay staggering amounts for.
2. Clive Christian No. 1 Passant Guardant
4. 1 Million Luxe Edition by Paco Rabanne
6. Parfum VI by Gianni Vive Sulman
7. No. 1 Majesté impériale by Clive Christian Perfume
8. Les Larmes Sacrées de Thèbes by Baccarat
10. Jardin Nocturne Parfum by Shialini
11. Flowerbomb Haute Couture by Viktor & Rolf
Frequently asked questions about the most expensive perfumes
Priced at $1.29 million, the most expensive perfume in the world (per bottle) is Shumukh by Nabeel. The unisex scent features an array of undisclosed ingredients and the extravagant three-liter bottle is displayed in a towering leather case, standing at almost 2 meters tall. The most expensive perfume for women is the million-dollar, diamond-adorned Golden Delicious by DKNY. While the most expensive perfume for men is No. 1 Passant Guardant by Clive Christian.
The best women’s perfume of all time is Chanel N°5. Launched in 1921 by the iconic French designer, the much-coveted scent features a blend of floral and woody notes and has remained a symbol of luxury and femininity for over a century.
The rarest perfume is Ambergris. Ambergris perfume is a unique and highly sought-after fragrance derived from a waxy substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It possesses a unique and captivating scent, often described as warm, musky, and marine-like.
The richest perfume in Dubai is Shumukh by Nabeel. Priced at $1.29 million, this unisex fragrance combines rare and luxurious ingredients, including agarwood, sandalwood, musk, and Turkish rose, resulting in an exquisite scent. Encased in an extravagant bottle, it epitomizes exclusivity, elegance, and the essence of Dubai’s heritage.
