Ambergris

I was wondering if anyone has ever come across ambergris. This is a compound sperm whales excrete when they've experienced irritation from squid beaks. Apparently, it's highly valued in the perfume industry, but I bring it up because it looks like various different types of rocks, and I'm surprised it's never been mentioned here before by beach combers and the likes.

Dear Jenna;

If you know of any rocks/minerals that are a thick gelatinous gooy substance, that floats on water, please tell me of it! Often, it's intermixed w/other "substances" that were in the intestines, at the time. I'd say that it looking like some rocks is a BIG stretch.

Your friend, Steve

In the "Recommended Books" section of the current Scientific American magazine, there is mention of a new book about ambergris. "Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris" by Christopher Kemp, University of Chicago Press (2012).

Hi All,

Yeah ... thanks for mentioning my book, Fred. It's just come out. I'd say both the posters are right. Ambergris often looks just like rocks. I have pieces here at home that so closely resemble pumice or chalkstone that you'd be fooled. But when you pick it up and handle it, or smell it, or check whether it floats or burns, it's obviously not a rock. Even so, from ten paces away on a beach, yes, it looks like a rock.

Anyway, check out my book for photos AND plenty of information.

--ck

Fred E. Davis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In the "Recommended Books" section of the current
> Scientific American magazine, there is mention of
> a new book about ambergris. "Floating Gold: A
> Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris" by
> Christopher Kemp, University of Chicago Press
> (2012).

It's used to make expensive perfumes, but what does the raw stuff smell like?

Rudy,

Ambergris is usually a non-descript, grey, hardened (dried out), jelly-like substance. It has a musty smell which you would never forget. Similar to some foods. Once smelt never forgotten!

There used to be a large lump (several pounds weight) at the House Of Bottles (tourist attraction) at Tewantin on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane Australia. Last time I was there I was told that it had been stolen. That was many years ago.

Cheers,
Doug R.

I would think that since the whale population is significantly less than say even 100 years ago, that the amount of ambergris would therefore be less common even in areas where it was typically known to be found.

Just my 2 cents.
stephanie

i used top work for a fragrance company and yes, ambergris was one of the 100s of things we had on the shelf... was chuncky waxy if i remember rite.