Ambergris

_{-- A m b e r g r i s --} _{click on the question number for the answer}
Q 1.
	Of what is ambergris composed?
Q 2.
	How is ambergris produced?
Q 3.
	What is ambergris? Where do you find it? How do you know you have ambergris?
Q 4.
	I recently found a small quantity of a wax-like substance which I believe is ambergris on the beach. A friend of mine claims that it is not ambergris, and even if it were, it would be of little value for it is now being produced synthetically. Is he right?
Q 5.
	While on a recent vacation in Florida, we found a lump of wax-like material which had been washed ashore near Fort Lauderdale. We still have it in our car since we thought it might be ambergris. Is there any test that we can use to determine if that material is true ambergris?
Q 6.
	I have been told that ambergris comes only from sick whales. It this true?
Q 7.
	I have heard that ambergris has been synthesized, is this true? If so, does true ambergris still have any intrinsic value, and who buys it?
Q 8.
	I have in my possession a mass of what I believe to be ambergris. I have tested it with two preliminary tests, the hot needle test and the wood alcohol test. The first test seemed to come out all right, but the substance did not dissolve in wood alcohol as it should have, if it were really ambergris. My sample is a large mass of opaque, pearly, wax-like substance. It has a faint musty odor. Can you suggest any further tests to make? Where might I have these tests verified? Also, if it is ambergris, where may I dispose of it, and about how much should I expect to make?
Q 9.
	I keep hoping to find a Piece of ambergris on the beach. If I do, who would buy it?


_{-- a n s w e r s a b o u t A m b e r g r i s --}
	Q&A 1.	Of what is ambergris composed?
	Ambergris is a fatty substance occasionally voided by sick sperm whales. This occurrence is believed to be in connection with the diet of the sperm whale, which consisted of large squids. Embedded in chunks of ambergris are often found the horny, indigestible beaks of these squids, and it is a possibility that the substance is produced as a means of imbedding and getting rid of the squid beaks, which otherwise might remain in the stomach and cause irritation. Fresh ambergris has a waxy texture and an earthy and somewhat disagreeable odor. Its unique ability to absorb and “set” certain odors makes it of particular value in the perfume industry.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 2.	How is ambergris produced?
	Ambergris is a solid, fatty, waxlike substance that is produced at times in the intestines of the sperm whale, Physeter catodon. No other whale, so far as is known, produces ambergris, which is believed to be caused in. some way by the horny, indigestible beaks of cuttlefish and squid on which this particular whale feeds. The beaks are often found embedded in the ambergris, which is eventually voided by the whale, or occasionally taken from the intestines of captured whales. Ambergris is valuable because of its property of "fixing" the odors of perfumes so that the scent will linger for some time after the perfume is applied to a surface.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 3.	What is ambergris? Where do you find it? How do you know you have ambergris? Coral Gables, Florida
	Ambergris may be found floating in the ocean, washed up on the beach, or within the intestine of the sperm whale. It is generally considered to be an intestinal gallstone of this whale, although its origin is still not certain. Ambergris is a superior fixative in fine perfumes. Because of the uncertain supply, genuine ambergris brings a price ranging from $3.75 to $15.00 an ounce depending on the quality and the current prices. True ambergris may be white or dull gray through brown to almost black in color. It usually has the consistency of wax or pitch, but may be almost brittle. As a test for ambergris the hot wire or needle test is the most simple since it requires no special apparatus. A wire or needle is heated in a gas or candle flame for 15 seconds and then pressed into the sample to a depth of one-eighth of an inch. If it is genuine ambergris, a dark brown to black opaque resinous liquid will form around the wire and appear to boil. Touch the material with the finger before it cools and if the sample is true ambergris it will leave tacky, pitch-like "strings" sticking to the skin. When the wire, which retains portions of the melted material, is again heated in the flame, true ambergris will give off a white fume having the same characteristic odor as the solid, and then burn with a luminous flame. The odor of the smoke when the flame is extinguished should be that of burning rubber. Another quick and simple test is to dissolve a little piece of the sample in a small quantity of hot wood alcohol (methyl alcohol), then allow it to cool. True ambergris will crystallize as the alcohol cools.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 4.	I recently found a small quantity of a wax-like substance which I believe is ambergris on the beach. A friend of mine claims that it is not ambergris, and even if it were, it would be of little value for it is now being produced synthetically. Is he right? Key West, Florida
	Swiss chemists have recently synthesized ambergris, a rare ingredient of perfumes. Ambergris is ordinarily round in the stomachs of whales. Synthetic ambergris is presently selling for $1.09 a pint, while natural ambergris has fallen to $9.75 a pint of equivalent strength. Also, perfume manufacturers can now expect uniform quality and strength in plentiful supply. As a result of the tremendous reduction in price, ambergris will now be available for use in inexpensive perfumes.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 5.	While on a recent vacation in Florida, we found a lump of wax-like material which had been washed ashore near Fort Lauderdale. We still have it in our car since we thought it might be ambergris. Is there any test that we can use to determine if that material is true ambergris? Chicago, Illinois
	One simple test for ambergris is to heat a piece of wire in a flame for about 15 seconds and then press it into the sample to a depth of 1/8 inch. If it is genuine ambergris, a dark brown to black, opaque, resinous liquid will form around the wire and appear to boil. Withdraw the wire and before the melted material on the wire cools, touch it with your finger. True ambergris will leave tacky, pitch-like "strings" sticking to the skin. When cold, the string of melted ambergris is shiny and resembles dark brown or black enamel. Place the wire, retaining portions of the melted material, into the flame again and the true ambergris will soon emit a white fume having the same characteristic odor as the solid, and then burn with a luminous flame. When the flame is extinguished, the smoke should have the odor of burning rubber. You may also try to dissolve a little piece in a small quantity of hot wood alcohol (methyl alcohol), then allow it to cool. True ambergris will crystallize as the alcohol cools.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 6.	I have been told that ambergris comes only from sick whales. It this true? EI Paso, Texas
	No, for perfectly normal whales have yielded lumps of ambergris. Another erroneous theory, that only male whales produce ambergris, has also been shown to be false. An interesting article about this strange and valuable substance, "Ambergris-Neptune's Treasure," appeared in the November, 1958 issue of Sea Frontiers.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 7.	I have heard that ambergris has been synthesized, is this true? If so, does true ambergris still have any intrinsic value, and who buys it? San Diego, California
	Only certain of the properties of ambergris have been successfully synthesized and there is still some value to the real thing. The value depends on the quality of the ambergris, but may range from $2.00 to $9.00 per ounce. Such dealers as Givaudan-Delawanna, Incorporated and Van Amerigen-Haebler, both of New York City, still purchase ambergris when available. NOTE: It is now illegal to buy or sell ambergris in the U.S.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 8.	I have in my possession a mass of what I believe to be ambergris. I have tested it with two preliminary tests, the hot needle test and the wood alcohol test. The first test seemed to come out all right, but the substance did not dissolve in wood alcohol as it should have, if it were really ambergris. My sample is a large mass of opaque, pearly, wax-like substance. It has a faint musty odor. Can you suggest any further tests to make? Where might I have these tests verified? Also, if it is ambergris, where may I dispose of it, and about how much should I expect to make? Portland, Oregon
	From your description it is rather difficult to say whether or not the substance is ambergris. However, you have already performed the preliminary tests and from these you should be able to draw some conclusions. First of all, when the hot needle penetrated the substance, did it form a pool of black molten material around it? Secondly, when you withdrew the needle, did the molten material form hairlike threads? And third, did the smoke have a rather sweet smell? If the answer was "yes" to all these questions it has passed the first test. From here on, most of the tests are chemical. Ambergris is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform. While it is most soluble in methanol (wood alcohol) it is also soluble in ethanol (grain alcohol). Do not use rubbing alcohols for this test as they contain 30 per cent water and will not dissolve it. If these tests are positive-that is, the materials dissolve-then the additional tests consist of checking for cholesterol and benzoic acid content. These must be done in a chemical laboratory. If this material passes the basic tests and is given to a potential buyer, he will perform additional tests before buying it. Firms such as Givaudan-Delawanna, Incorporated and Van Amrigen-Haebler, both of New York City, will purchase ambergris. The price depends on the quality, and ranges from $2.00 to $9.00 per ounce.
go back to Questions
	Q&A 9.	I keep hoping to find a piece of ambergris on the beach. If I do, who would buy it? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
	Ambergris, a secretion of the sperm whale intestine, is regarded as a marine mammal product by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Possession of it is prohibited by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which includes the sperm whale, declared an endangered species on June 2, 1970. The Act states that it is unlawful to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship by any means whatsoever any parts or products of an endangered species taken within the United States. This means that, although ambergris is valuable as a fixative in the manufacture of fine perfumes, perfumers in the United States are not allowed to buy or sell it or perfumes containing it. They now use a synthetic substitute. Beachcombers who find ambergris should report it to the nearest state or federal conservation agency. One should keep in mind, however, that pieces of wax, rubber, plastic, or other materials may, at first glance, be mistaken for ambergris which is opaque and ash-colored. Interesting historical facts about the uses and value of ambergris are presented in "Ambergris - Neptune's Treasure," Sea Frontiers, 4(4): 201-209, November 1958 and "Ambergris - Floating Gold of the Sea," Surveyo7; May 1981.
go back to Questions


	Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science Library University of Miami, FL USA 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 Phone: 305 421 4060 Fax: 305 421 9306 E-mail: libcirc@rsmas.miami.edu		go to the top