Fleur De Sel - A Historical Perspective

Fleur de sels are flat, concave crystals of silica that form in oceans and seas as they disappear under the sea. When these silicates evaporate into the water, they take up different shapes, some more pleasing to the eye than others. The most common type is fleur de sel. It's a salty variant of the typical salt crystal. It was used in ancient times as an antiseptic and deodorizing agent, and has been collected for centuries as an unsullied, natural crystal salt.

Today, fleur de sel is produced as an industrial mineral material and sometimes as sodium chloride. Fleur de sels are still collected from the sea, because their aesthetic and health benefits far outnumber any negative aspects they may cause. Because of their evaporation process, fleur de sel salts are both rare and unique weathering salts. The beauty of this salt is both its unusual appearance and its exceptional health benefits.

Fleur de sels are formed in ocean waters as tiny droplets of water vapor. They are made up of trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, sodium, and silicone. These elements combine very quickly when exposed to heat or an electrical charge, which creates what is called "gravel" or fleur de sel salt. As the crystal salt evaporates into the ocean, it leaves behind the minerals it contained, which can vary from being very refined (low in magnesium and iron) to very coarse (high in sodium and iron).

The grains or flakes of fleur de sel have a very soft and fluffy feel. This is one reason why it has always been prized for use in perfumes, hair colors, as well as decorative products and clothing. Because of its very high mineral content, it is the only type of salt that can be harvested with the use of machinery. Because of this harvesting process, the grains or flakes take on a very silvery sheen and thus are often called "silvery" or "white stone."

Fleur de sels are most commonly harvested from areas with deep ocean waters where gypsy divers collect them along the bottom of the ocean floor. Areas where there is abundance of dissolved oxygen are usually more productive than places closer to land. Because of their ability to withstand intense heat temperatures of up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, fleur de sel crystals are perfect for using in hot bathtubs, steam showers, as well as other popular shower fixtures. They make for ideal and refreshing shower gels, as well as body wash products. Because of their ability to resist harsh chemicals and alkalies found in traditional bathing water, fleur de sel products are now available in markets worldwide.

France has long been renowned for its outstanding jewelry making skills, and this has resulted in the fleur de sel market being expanded to include many different types of beads and natural stone products. In addition to being used to make beautiful beads, france's unique handcrafted design can be used in everything from tableware to large-scale housewares and flooring products. Some pieces are so intricately crafted that they are even imported from china. This fine-grained salt is widely utilized for building art facades and sculptures as well as for landscaping projects around swimming pools and spas. This wide selection of fleur de sel products makes it easy for people all over the world to enjoy the beauty and unique style of this beautiful crystal.

Fleur de sels are not just available in crystal form. While some have been mass produced using factories capable of mass production,fleur de selcrystals can also be harvested from the earth and processed into usable salt. This process, called evaporation, results in a highly refined salt with an increased percentage of minerals. Evaporated table salt is often blended with other ingredients to create a variety of fleur de sel products including shampoos, soaps and salt blocks for use in personal care products.

The fleur de sel crystals used for decorative purposes are harvested from the earth. It takes many years for this salt to develop and is highly refined and purified before it is exported to other countries. France and other European countries export a significant amount of france salts, which compete directly with those derived from the United States. Although the prices of this highly refined salt may fluctuate slightly depending on supply and demand, they remain among the most popular global consumer items. Fleur de sels products line the spectrum of beauty products from cosmetics to fashion accessories to home decorating.