Question:
Is it possible to get samples of basic parfum ingredients?
I read about things like coumarin, Helional, and Ambrox. I would like to smell some of these in isolation to get an idea of what they contribute to a fragrance, however various websites of fragrance component makers are very clear they do not give samples to individuals.
Are there resellers of such things?

Answer:
Originally Posted by Orgetorix Is it possible to get samples of basic parfum ingredients?
I read about things like coumarin, Helional, and Ambrox. I would like to smell some of these in isolation to get an idea of what they contribute to a fragrance, however various websites of fragrance component makers are very clear they do not give samples to individuals.
Are there resellers of such things? The Good Scents Company sells a number of aroma chemicals:
http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/rawmoffr.html - they don't list "samples" per se on the price list but some they do sell in quite small quantities (depending on the price it seems). Perhaps if you contacted them you could get samples for a nominal charge.

Answer:
The essential oil type ingredients are easy to find (see threads on the DIY board for suppliers). I've found this useful in identifying things like vetiver and benzoin that you have no other obvious reference points for.
The synthetic ingredients are much more difficult to obtain. As they are not used in aromatherapy this is no real 'home' market, so unless you want 10 gallons of coumarin you may struggle.
There is a Yahoo discussion group for home perfume makers. I know that they sometimes make a small (but still industrial-sized) purchase of some synthetics that they then divide between them. (Sorry don't have the link but you should be able to find it through a search engine).

Answer:
Michael's right. I subscribe to Anya's blog and she lists the yahoo group on her blogroll. (right side of page listed vertically has gotten the name blogroll)
http://anyasgarden.blogspot.com/
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Originally Posted by jaelynn The Good Scents Company sells a number of aroma chemicals:
http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/rawmoffr.html - they don't list "samples" per se on the price list but some they do sell in quite small quantities (depending on the price it seems). Perhaps if you contacted them you could get samples for a nominal charge. looks like a great site.
Coumarin 200 Grams $14.74

Answer:
There is a website, perfumers world that sells the raw perfume ingredients to which you refer. I'm new so I can't post the URL, just google it. The issue with the ones you may not find on that or other websites is not only availability to the public but that they are owned by fragrance companies such as Firmenich and IFF, and are used only on in house fragrances. The more common ones to which you refer should be available at the aforementioned site.
Good luck