Question:
Djedi is a major discovery, like an archeological dig unearthing a Pharoah's tomb. I can see why bottles of this are selling for $500 and $1,000 on Ebay. There is nothing else like it.
I'm not going to tell you that it is beautiful. It is arresting. It is stunning. It is majestic. But it is not pretty. If you find "challenging" fragrances unpleasant, don't go near this one with a ten-foot pole. If you yearn for a true fragrance experience, you will be amply rewarded. Djedi leaves all the the others behind in the dust as far as the Goth factor goes.

In comparison, Voleur de Rose seems natural, like garden soil and dead-headed roses. Messe de Minuit seems familiar, like a poor, old church. Vol de Nuit seems dry and austere but pretty. L'Heure Bleu is a bit melancholy like a lonely old schoolteacher. And Mitsouko is downright tasty, all things being relative.

So, what does Djedi smell like? Why is it so compelling and sought-after? I must return to my archeological dig metaphor.

Phase One: The top note smells like dirt. It is probably vetiver and/or orris root, but it is very earthy, like shovelfulls of dense clay, full of minerals. One can imagine the door to the Pharoah's tomb opening and being surrounded by air that is thousands of years old, so--extremely--dry, not one hint of sweetness or life, only stillhess, silence, and an oppressive feeling.
Phase Two: Now comes my favorite part. It is brief, so look for it quickly. Oakmoss, some spices, a few faint florals and--powder. There it is! The Guerlain signature scent. Yes, this is a perfume--proud, dignified, and astounding. Ancient, dry, austere, and forbidding, Djedi is still meant to be worn.

Phase Three: Then it lapses into its final, lengthy phase, as captivating as the first two but long-lasting. A growing mustiness overtakes all other notes. It is heavy, sad, and decidedly animalic. It is bitter, strangely herbal, old leathery, and full of civit at it very strongest. I know people who discern civit best in the opening notes of a fragrance, not as it has been listed as a base note. I can understand why. Although civit is persistent (we all have our cat stories to prove it) it can quickly be blended into heavy florals and spices. In Djedi, there is no such coverup occurring. At this point, it smells like a big, old, haunted house, an underground tomb, some dark, dank place of great tragedy.
How do they make this perfume? Incredible.

Answer:
Quote: Originally Posted by purplebird7 ...dirt...clay...minerals...Guerlain signature scent...growing mustiness overtakes all other notes. It is heavy, sad, and decidedly animalic....a big, old, haunted house, an underground tomb, some dark, dank place of great tragedy.
You have me making primitive animal sounds.


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Dammit, I wish Guerlain would reissue this one. **wishes upon a star**

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Is it 'real' civit do you think?

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POL gals are talking about Djedi, too. Of course, not with anywhere near the descriptive vocab of our hued bird!

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Purplebird, you are a dangerous woman.
I think this is the most enchanting review of Djedi I have ever read. Not even Roja Dove could improve this.
And you are the cause of a terrible dilemma: I remember the scent of the last drops of my Djedi sample and now I am here with an unopened bottle.
Staring at it and too afraid to open it. Afraid that the memory is better than the extrait I hold now.
I think I will print your words and maybe I will feel brave enough to finally open the bottle.
Will it be heaven or hell?

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My goodness, Purplebird, that was extraordinary! What an awesome adventure. Loved receiving the postcard back here at home.
I would never believed how a perfume can transport you to the level of an experience before I tried Opone, but I now know it can happen.
You've added another travel destination to my list. But it is shockingly expensive for a sample.

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Wonderful review!
Here's another scent to add to my list of "must smell".

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Djedi was reissued in 1996. My thanks go to Twolf for getting ahold of a bottle then, and giving me the last, precious drops of it.
Here's my offer: I would like to pass it around.
mharvey816
Quarry
Riannon
flathorn
dimples
You people, PM me your addresses, I will make a list. Then I will put the vial in the mail to the first person. Use a small dab or two, cross your name off, and send it on.
Really, this is too fabulous to miss. And Riannon, you can smell it before you open the bottle. At the going price, it is almost an investment.

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Really? **fans self** That is just so amazingly generous of you. PMing you now!