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shpion0000 – :
Avon Rare Rubies is a GOOD example of a fragrance with spices, that covers all of these criteria: quality, longevity, sillage, price and shelf life!
The rave about this fragrance is totally understandable and agreeable. It is all good. Rare Rubies performs on my skin as an inviting, warm and comforting potion of spices, coming together in a great bond. I can hardly separate all the notes as they blend in quite well altogether. But I got warm woody-ambery cinnamon, gingery nutmeg and sweet musky orange blossom 🙂
I can see Rare Rubies as an unisex fragrance for sure. It is easily the most wearable spicy fragrance in my opinion. It is a GREAT choice to ease it in for any beginner who is new to spicy fragrance and just wanna try it out. And yet, Rare Rubies still has plenty of juice, depth and complexity in it, to satisfy a spices lover.
Avon Rare Rubies lives up to its name as a precious gem among other beautiful fragrances in the same field. It shines pretty much on anyone who appreciates the beauty of spices.
nexxxt – :
I put on my Oscar de la Renta Espirit de Oscar just now (it’s relatively new to me) and realized something about it reminded me of the elusive Avon Rare Rubies. So I compared the listed notes and it turns out that the only note they share is the African Orange Flower. It is SO beautiful. There is something citrusy yet slightly powdery in both fragrances, so even though they are not exact dupes by any means, if you love one I’m pretty confident you will love the other! Espirit is also discontinued, I believe, but is still discoverable on eBay and at discount stores in the U.S. like Ross, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx. Hopefuly this answers your question, @Chesheyercat!
10/7/18 – Wearing today as part of my scent-a-day experiment from my inventory and wow, I’m still in love with this! I got a compliment today (from my aunt), sitting across the table from her at dinner, so the sillage is pretty good. Also, it’s dried down a bit marshmallow, which I really like! Reminds me a bit of Dolce&Gabbana Pour Femme, just a lighter version. I’m glad I still own this!
romanr1984 – :
An update: Does anybody know the note(s) that seems to last forever with Rare Rubies? It is so addictive….maybe the rose, I am not sure. I just am constantly sniffing myself or anywhere I sprayed like my shirt so magnetic in my opinion.It is a pleasure to breathe in deeply this scent. It’s kind of sweet with another spice mixed in (maybe what is called the dry down). Any ideas are welcome. On one of the newer boxes 2012-2013 the notes on the box are: coriander, rose, and amber. That would be a change from the original up above.
Hello all, I am new to this so bare with me 🙂 I have never really been into perfume and/or fragrance until I stumbled across this gem (no pun intended) Rare Rubies By Avon at my local Goodwill. As well as being love at first sight; the bottle was soft misted glass with a red ruby fan at the top. It was love at first whiff/sniff. Yep, it’s one of those ones that you keep sniffing yourself all day long and when it finally disappears, you spritz yourself again to start those magical, euphoric, inhalations. It lasts pretty long as well for an Avon fragrance from what I gather. Like some of the other commentators above; I agree that Avon should definitely bring the original Rare Rubies back, like as a permanent fixture not just a holiday tease! To me, this perfume is what the whole olfactory experience is about, sensuous, pleasurable, enjoyable. This perfume is so very opulent, spicy-sweet, oriental, and rich, I haven’t found another Avon fragrance like it, let alone another fragrance like it. Asking everyone here, has anyone found something similar to this fragrance? I haven’t tried Cinnabar yet, is it really like it? Any other ones like it? When I got home from the Goodwill that day, I was checking Avon.com to see if they still had Rare Rubies and to my dismay; it had been discontinued.
Oh, Oh ((hand raised, squirming)) does anyone know the actual nose or noses behind this fragrance? I know Avon is the company which delivers this beaut, but I would love to know the actual fragrance designer/(s). It’s such a rich, gorgeous smell, it leads me to believe that whomever created this fragrance would have other magnetic/magical/ euphoric masterpieces. I would be very grateful to know the nose 😉
So eventually, I run out of this gem 🙁 This is where I am gonna seem desperate, fair warning, and don’t try this at home!….so I go to my kitchen, open up the seasonings cabinet and reach for Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Coriander, ginger, and fill up a little jar, then I go to my local dollar store and find a very ambery/musky dollar scent. I mix it all together and wait….I’m still waiting…hoping that over time it will go through a metamorphosis (a caterpillar to a butterfly) and end up smelling similar to Rare Rubies…and I still wait!
Ever so oft, Avon will re-release it for the holidays. I had gotten a star decanter a couple years back, but something seemed missing from the notes. Now I am not too sure, maybe it’s like a fine wine and its an elixir that gets better with age. Last weekend I was at a flea market and found Rare Rubies, again it’s in a different type bottle and the notes do seem different, from that first experience at Goodwill. The notes are: African orange flower, ylang-ylang, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, amber, musk and sandalwood. On the box I have now, it reads; coriander, rose, and amber. Not too sure if it is absolutely the same.
Avon, if you are reading this now, don’t you think that enough people have requested that you bring this perfume back? I mean I think there is even a Facebook page dedicated to this perfume. It truly is a gem and yes it has a perfect name; Rare Rubies! If you are into an oh so spicy/sweet-oriental/oh wow effect perfumes than you would love this scent. MondeoGirl, hazel1812, NebraskaLoves, Lotofire, Christy2198, Lilahveil, RavynG, I feel you!
vik05 – :
I love this fragrance. I wish this would continue. Besides, I will rather buy perfumes brand new.
mesnik – :
I am a fragrance NEWBIE! I have always liked fresh/ozone/natural type scents and usually in a shower gel but never a perfume…they always seem too strong on me.
I received some Avon testers and tried the Rare Gold and Rare Pearls.
Now I have purchased the ENTIRE LINE of RARE and am evaluating them as they are opened.
After reading the reviews on here I tried on my Rare Rubies and was greeted by spice and an oriental type rush. I don’t like deep musky/oriental scents in general but I gave it some time …and surprise …I get ROSES?!!!
The smell reminds me of putting your face in a big bouquet of spicy red roses with maybe a few carnations. There is also the typical powdery smell that covers the spicy floral. I can see wearing this at any time as it is a SOFT spicy scent with mostly a powdery greeting. I give this a 3 on a 1-5(5 best) as it is ok but nothing unique to me.
partietz – :
I absolutely loved this! It was my signature scent,everybody knew it was me if they smelled it. I hate how it has been discontinued.
Navix – :
I didnt mind this, but the bf thought sillage was too strong, maybe I over applied it…stronger than I thought it would be, and it does remind me of a lighter cinnabar
mashunja-k – :
Love Rare Rubies. It has all the spicy notes you could want! I always felt like a grown-up when I wore it. It truly smells delicious and lasts for hours. I was SO disappointed when Avon discontinued it! I had two or three bottles in a dark closet, so I thought I was okay. Then I got married, and what do you know? My husband HATES it. 🙁 I am a sad girl.
Lomsemelo – :
This is a rich, warm and great smelling perfume. Very vintaged. I usually like cinnamon in my fragrances and this one fills the bill. It’s much softer than Cinnabar but somewhat like it, just lighter but long lasting. It’s one of the finer Avon perfumes.
Aleksandr67 – :
Was quite lucky to find a set of Rare Rubies recently for very little money. And I say lucky not because I loved the perfume, but because I would have been very upsed had I paid the usually asked prices for it on the auction marketpace. All the notes, all the reviews, even the discussions on the forums were in my favor, I mean what could possibly go wrong? It is not by all means a horrible perfume, but to me it felt like a cheap replica of Cinnabar, Opium, Youth Dew and the like. It had a harsh chemical opening, and never got to feel ‘one’ wth my skin. I ended up giving it away. Haven’t really found an Avon perfume to love yet,they all share a common chamical base that stops me from appreciating them.
TSVTDSLUE – :
I had the wonderful fortune of experiencing this after smelling on paper at a thrift shop; a full bottle of the fan shaped top perfume. At first spray, I was caught off guard by the “Avon Blast” but I knew within seconds I had struck Rare Rubies for certain. This fragrance smells highly expensive. It is classy, elegant, exotic, unique, sexy, warm, spicy, amber-y, mysteriously divine. I tried a bit on my arm after the paper test and without even waiting for the dry-down knew I had just experienced one of the finest oriental frags I have ever smelled. Four full bottles of EDP in boxes for $5.99. I bought two before closing and will be waiting at the door to wipe out the rest first thing in the morning… and they are not for resell. Avon created a masterpiece with Rare Rubies. An oriental fragrance lover’s ‘add to collection immediately and never run out.’ It is absolutely beautiful in every way.
Update – I made sure to haul out this morn to be there when the doors opened to grab the other bottles. As this masterful blend blooms and unfolds it only becomes more glorious. The cinnamon/cassia settles down and I detect a nice dose of fine myrrh (opoponax?) in deep amber along with other intriguing complexities. It is a true gem. My scent sensitive husband does not share my love for frags, especially my preference for unusual niche scents. Rare Rubies is hardly a niche frag, but is definitely far from ordinary. Extraordinarily opulent! Well done, Avon! Bring it back.
vadik85 – :
Rare Rubies is a people-pleaser perfume. There are certain fragrances I wear that evoke responses from the opposite sex. You can see it in their eyes. Their pupils dilate. They stare a little longer than they should. You can almost feel them inhaling you in. Rare Rubies is one of them.
With spicy notes of ginger, coriander and nutmeg, warmed by cinnamon, feathered by musk, tempered by amber and surrounded by sandalwood, Rare Rubies envelops itself around a person. This perfume radiates outward generously and that’s ok, because its scent is lanquidly sexual. There are hidden thoughts that sit with these fumes-akin to the librarian with glasses fantasy. Is Rare Rubies naughty or nice? You determine the outcome.
This wonderful fragrance lasts for hours. Unfortunately, it’s discontinued, but available on the secondary market,at flea markets and I do know some Avon dealers will track it down for their customers. Definitely worth trying.
frechenboch – :
I really love this perfume. Wish avon would bring it back. Sick of seeing it on eBay for far too much . Love the warm spicy notes in it, does last long aswel definitely worth investigating.
Enannolabible – :
A lovely perfume, soft yet decadent. It has the right balance of blended flowers and musk to keep all the foody spices from smelling like baked goods. I love the hint of tart orange rind, the ginger ale fizziness and the feathery floral musk. It is like a satin quilt or a sweet strong hug from a beautiful friend.
Колян – :
Nope did not like but mostly I think cinnamon dosn’t smell good. Which is a disappointment Cuz It smelled good in the bottle.
COXAH – :
I was lucky to be able to get this on the re-release this winter, in a large star shaped bottle, with no spray, which is ok. Spicy yumminess, warm, velvety and I suppose it reminds me of Shalimar in a very distant way. All the spices blend very nicely giving a warm, cozy feeling. Cinnamon and Nutmeg are most noticeable to me. Great staying power.
Big Papa – :
Bought this in the 90s when it first came out.Loved it.I had the shower gel,lotion,perfume spray and the solid compact.Last Christmas I was happy to see that they had it in a star splash decanter.I poured it into a spray glass perfume bottle that I had put away.It is definitely a mature fragrance.Spicey,oriental,well lasting.Better than all the new fruit that’s going around.Its about to come out again soon in a fancy splash decanter.I will have to order it before it disappears as before.
tubykeype – :
I was drawn to this scent by reviews that alluded to its spicy warmth and the predominance of cinnamon.
Sadly I was so disappointed that I sold my bottle within weeks of purchase.
There is a harsh sour note in this scent that overwhelms. To my nose it’s a clumsy attempt to recreate the bitter almond and oriental spice aloofness of Samsara that falls flat on its face and smells more like a cheap synthetic cranberry. The kind of smell that you get from red coloured ice pops… Eeww!
I’ve only ever ditched two scents and this upset me so much I wanted off my dressing table pronto!
Each to their own I suppose.
bph161Diobtetty – :
Could not resist the allure of the star-shaped bottle in my Avon catalog; ordered a $10 bottle and it arrived last night. The box is very festive (bold red and gold abstract starburst), the fluid is pale pink, and the glass bottle is nice—heavy, spanning my palm in size, with a carved pattern in the glass along the arms of the star and a gold twist cap. This is not a spray top perfume, but an old fashioned decanter; unfortunately, the bottle will not stand on its own, which makes me concerned about leakage. We’ll see how that goes.
The perfume starts with a blast of….well….Avon. I don’t know how else to describe it; it’s a musky, aldehydic, bland alcoholic scent that I associated with most of Avon’s fragrances; and I enjoy many Avon scents. Fortunately, that fades rapidly and a mild, slightly spicy sandalwood musk appears. It is a powdery, understated fragrance, not as strong as I had anticipated—I saw the cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and expected this to be a spicy diva. It’s not. It is musky and very powdery to my nose; it almost catches in the back of my throat, like a whiff of talcum powder taking my breath away. The musk is more of a white musk, and the sandalwood is demure. There is spice, but it’s not powerful or deep—it’s faded, like spices leftover from last Christmas in the back of the cupboard. It’s pleasant enough; I can’t imagine this fragrance offending anyone, nor does it inspire. I’m underwhelmed a little disappointed; it’s not the epitome of holiday cheer I had hoped it would be. If I need something understated, cozy and unassuming, this fragrance will work well; “like” but not “love”.
Edit: Well, this is enough of a “like” to warrant re-wearing and some extra sniffing–I’ve walked past my dresser and caught a whiff of this that caught me pleasantly off guard. It does still start off oddly, but it warms up and seems to last for 6+ hours. It think this could make a nice every day perfume for chilly months.
Edit x 2: So, I’ve worn this for 3 days in a row (a rare thing for me these days) and it is really growing on me. May have to amend my review to “love”!
biornik33333 – :
I’m not a great fan of Avon perfumes but I couldn’t resist the Limited Edition packaging of this one and the price was right.
Well, it was delivered and the bottle is big and cute with light lavender/pink perfume inside. No sprayer which is okay by me. I wish more perfumes came with a stopper so we could ‘place’ the scent on pulse points BUT of course then we would use less product and it would have to have better ingredients to ensure some silage. But I digress.
The scent itself: the first few seconds releases a blast of the traditional strong Avon alcohol smell and then, on myself, it quickly settled down to a cinnamon dominated spicy oriental, like a kinder, gentler and not quite as grand ‘Obsession’. I love Obsession but those days of wearing it, for me, are over even as the memories linger on. Rare Rubies, on the other hand, is very wearable (a slight dab on the wrists) offering mature women of all ages a wonderful version of Christmas comfort and vintage glamour all rolled into one. A cozy evening by the fire with a chewy red wine or an evening out in a little black dress with those high red heels and lipstick to match! It has that dash of noire going on.
Feappibeinson – :
Wonderful scent!!! The only Rare of Avon’s that I love. I think I love this perfume because it is not one ive smelled before this. I seek different scents always and many times i find the same types of scents time after time and I get tired of it really. So im happy with this scent as its not like any other out there that I have experienced.
karleone_tim – :
Just got this today and it is a definite scrubber for me. Too strong and too masculine. Someone please take my bottle. Even the drydown is rough on my nose.
UPDATE:
Thank you in advance drugstore classics!!
tristan919 – :
My friend sells Avon and they have this in Limited Edition for Christmas 2012…!!! I just ordered a bottle!!! Hope it is as good as the reviews!!!
Segreysamedoman – :
So excited Avon brought this back for christmas. I dont order from Avon, but I just texted my mom to see if she could order it for me from her seller. Im getting two bottles of this amazing cinn-spicy scent!
Егоров – :
does anyone know if this perfume will come to my country in greece???? please avon bring it back! please!!! and lahana, soie rouge, floralique, starring, c’est moi, surreal, rare emeralds, prowl, sunny skies, josie, vanilla soft musk, peony soft musk, tasha, women of earth, imary, mesmerise, casbah, night musk, far away fantasy(i love this one). bring them all back!!!!!!!
kydanov – :
I had never tested Rare Rubies when it was available in the catalogue. I received my What’s New? with my last Avon order and ordered a demo of the star bottle (marketed as a spray, even the box says spray, but it is indeed a 50mL splash). I can’t believe it. I agree with the reviewer below who stated it was “ahead of its time” because if this same fragrance were released by a high end house, it would fetch 10x the money and would be a best seller. On my skin it is reminiscent of the Maroccan spice mix Ras El Hanout. Complex and seamlessly blended with great longevity,I am smitten. Will definitely purchase backups my next order. If this version is a reformulation of the original, I don’t know. The notes listed on the box are: rose, coriander, and amber, but that is just the short list for ad copy. All I know is that this fragrance is exactly the spicy oriental I’ve been looking for -and I am not usually fond of rose or amber. This is what I think Yves Rocher’s Rose Ispahan aspired to be but missed the mark landing firmly in the cloying zone. Rare Rubies is warm, spicy, sophisticated and just plain feels good to wear. Perfect for a nippy, autumn day or night.
InGermany – :
weii,this perfume by avon in my opinion is a legend. it is very special. some people would kill to have a bottle of this but some others hate it. for me iw perfect. i can’t understand why avon discontinues the really good staff and keeps the garbage in the catalogue. it’s a shame. perfumes like
-c’est moi
-tapage
-casbah
-floralique
-soi rouge
-lahana
-sunny skies
-josie
-starring
-surreal
prowl and many many others have been discontinued.
DLSDON – :
This mixture of spices and florals opens with a scent like ginger-spiced sweet oranges . As time passes, the florals become more prominent. Spices remain soft, blended well throughout the sweet amber drydown.
Perfect scent for daytime…fresh, spicy, energizing, fun and bright.
Would be a great fragrance to wear in cold weather for holiday shopping trips and holiday parties.
Silage is moderate, not noffensive.
Longevity is very good…lasts all day.
Luckily, this year, Avon has brought back the original formula Rare Rubies in a limited edition, packaged in a new star-shaped glass bottle for the holidays. It’s available now on Ebay for a VERY small price !
Sacho2508 – :
Avon USA will bring this and a few other discontinued perfumes back in a shape of a christmas star.If you like it,dont’t miss that chance.
WaLtLemiLerXS – :
This was my favorite perfume and I was devo when they stopped making it. Why dose it never come back as old favorite as they sometimes do with other fragrances. It would be so nice to be able to have it back on the market again I bet it would be a great seller and avon could rake in a fortune. Why was it dicontinued???
nrovaider – :
PLEASSSS, PLEASSSS AVON BRING THIS PERFUME BACK,I MEAN SO MANY SPECIAL REQUESTS HAS BEEN MADE TO BRING THIS LOVELY PERFUME BACK ON YOUR LIST. WHY NOT CONSIDER IT TO GIVE IT A TRY OUT!!!!!
androsin – :
back when I first sold Avon I got this and every time I wore it I was asked what it was. It was warm, spicy, with hints of mid/base notes. I like cinamon is fragrance too so it was a winner for me. I hope they bring it back would defiantly stock up!
tarzan123 – :
Avon did bring back one year, several oldies but Faves. I loved Hawiian White Ginger. I kept emailing Avon and telling anyone who sold it to please petition for a return. IT HAPPENED YAY! Im wondering if its time to do the same with Rare Rubies. I loved this one too and did score a metal compact with the cream perfume in it off ebay. I covet it LOL.
graf793 – :
Wow, this is very spicy. I like though.
shkandin – :
So happy I got the chance to try this cinnamon, oriental beauty back in 2000! Wore this to work one day and compliments galore greeted me at the door!! I vividly recall it being warm, rich, and sensual, with good lasting power to boot. Can a cinnamon infused frag get better than this? I don’t think so. My only regret is opting for a purse-sized spray rather than a FB. Oh well, at least I did experience this spicy baby.
wildwild – :
Rare Rubies has been discontinued by Avon and most likely will not be returning. For those who are buying it from “e-bay” or another 3rd party, it is probably not Rare Rubies that you are buying. Rare Rubies was discontinued around 2002. Avon now offers Rear Gold, Diamond, and pearl.
27061989 – :
I loved this and Mesmerize for women. Is there anything that can replace Rare Rubies? I have tried most of the conventional spicy ones like Halston, Opium and some other “red” ones–can’t thin of the names right now–it is late. But nothing has the unique florals and mild spice of RR. And I was told that the Rare Rubies that Avon continued to sell in the UK for a few years after it was discontinued in the US was a different formula.
mbbtrr – :
The most lovely Avon sent ever. I remember spraying it on my wrist and breathing in the amazing spices.
Колмыков Петр – :
This is warm and cozy, with a moderate dose of spice. It’s one of the better fragrances from the “Rare” line from Avon, and a bit more sophisticated than their usual lineup. It’s getting tougher all the time to get a bottle since it’s been discontinued. This is perfect for wearing at night, especially in the fall or winter. I keep a small bottle in my rotation and consider it a treat when I wear it.
Varja666 – :
This one I may have a test vial somewhere, but I will have to go and look very hard to find it! But I MUST try to get me a real bottle!!
pmvb – :
never was a fan of this. strong, pungent and the flowers just don’t seem to mix well together. kind of a harsh/alcohol smell.
sliregree – :
I absolutely love Rare Rubies and have used it for over ten years. Every time I wear it I receive the nicest compliments from sexy to Yummy. Sure makes me feel wonderful especially at age 60+ I am so disappointed that Avon discontinued it. Shame on them. They need to get rid of rare gold instead.Please bring it back!!!!!
Naomi_fromAC – :
This was a gorgeous fragrance…sexy, warm,and expensive smelling…i keep wondering why avon always cuts good fragrances and keeps the garbage in the catalog.
zoooor – :
I got this as a birthday present my junior year of high school. I loved the cinnamon spice scent. It also made for a great room spray.
Dimontre – :
A cinnamon skin scent. Who knew it was possible? Avon Rare Rubies is a soft, sweet woody musk with a pronounced cinnamon note. Think Serge Lutens Rousse meets Barbara Bui and whispers softly in her ear. Oriental Spicy to be sure, but soft as kittens at the same time. Rubies stays close to the skin like and lingers all day long.
It’s very un-Avon in its execution, if you’re a person who still writes them off as cheap and common. I have had so many pleasant surprises from Avon scents in the last year that I’m no longer surprised when I find a good one from them! 🙂 They don’t always get the credit they deserve, and Rubies is a perfect example. I think the scent was just a little ahead of its time, and as others have noted, it’s a shame this one was discontinued. Rare Rubies was a very impressive scent that any perfume house should have been proud to offer.
35aleks – :
Avon rare rubies is like gold dust, but now look on ebay……see a little red bottle on a white fluffy background….read the info…..and you will be pleasantly surprised!!!
Martell – :
To me, Rare Rubies smells like those little red candies called “Red Hots” which are kind of a spicy cinnamon flavor. It’s not something that I wear a lot but occasionally it suits my mood.
Guest_Angel – I also just discovered Rare Sapphires and like you, I love it. Here is the information I found about it; “Rare Sapphires is a fragrance of citrus notes, dewfruit, lily of the valley combined with gardenia, cedarwood and vetiver.” I can really smell the cedarwood and I just love it!
fcvgzqrSAZc – :
I have this perfume and to me it can be best described as horrid. It reminds me of insecticide, strong and overpowering and the smell it could kill a roach I swear.
I use mine to spray suits after I have worn them in an effort to reduce the smell of sweat.
Kpbls – :
Absolutely GUEST_ANGEL – I wish Avon would bring it back even as a Christmas special. It was so warm, rich, fruity and sexy. My daughter has still not found another scent to compare but her runner up fave is Guerlain Insolence. She buys that instead and feels let down by Avon.
harvester – :
I used Rare Rubies all the time and loved it and could not understand why Avon discontinued it. I also would love Avon to bring it back again
rutk74 – :
PLEASE AVON – BRING THIS PERFUME BACK!!! My mother, my daughter and a friend of mine all miss it! On E-Bay you can expect to pay £30 up for a bottle of this – it’s like gold dust and sorely missed.