Ambergris is a rare and valuable substance. Its unique properties and elusive nature contribute to its mystique. Understanding what ambergris looks like and how it can be identified is a common pursuit.
Its Visual Appearance
Ambergris presents a wide range of visual characteristics that evolve with its age and exposure to the marine environment. Fresh ambergris typically appears black or dark brown, sometimes resembling a hardened tar or a flattened cow pat. As it ages, the color lightens, transitioning through shades of grey, silver, beige, cream, and even pure white, with older pieces often displaying a fine white crystallization on their surface.
The texture of ambergris also varies significantly, ranging from soft and pliable in its fresh state to hard, brittle, and crumbly with extended aging. It typically possesses a waxy or greasy feel. Ambergris usually forms irregular lumps, though ocean tumbling can round pieces into ovoid or kidney-like shapes. The interior is often dense and opaque, sometimes revealing granular textures or distinct layers, and may contain embedded black, shiny squid beaks.
Beyond Visual: Scent and Density
Ambergris possesses a distinctive scent profile that is a primary indicator of its authenticity and age. Newly expelled ambergris has a strong, often unpleasant fecal or marine odor. However, as it ages and cures in the ocean, this harsh aroma transforms into a complex, sweet, earthy, musky, and marine fragrance, sometimes described with notes of tobacco, leather, or vanilla.
Another defining characteristic of ambergris is its density, which is notably less than that of water. This property allows it to float, earning it the moniker “floating gold.” Its specific gravity typically ranges from 0.780 to 0.926. Ambergris also exhibits a waxy consistency and a relatively low melting point, softening when warmed and liquefying between 62°C and 70°C.
How Ambergris Forms and Ages
Ambergris originates as a pathological secretion within the digestive system of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). This substance is thought to form as a protective mechanism around indigestible items, primarily the sharp beaks of squid, which are a significant part of the whale’s diet. The whale naturally expels these masses, which then begin their long journey in the ocean.
Once expelled, ambergris floats on the ocean’s surface, undergoing a prolonged aging process. This maturation involves continuous exposure to saltwater, sunlight, and air, leading to oxidation and photodegradation. Over years or even centuries, these environmental factors chemically alter the ambergris.
Identifying Genuine Ambergris
Identifying genuine ambergris can be challenging due to its varied appearance and the presence of numerous lookalikes found on beaches, such as hardened tar, certain types of rock, rubber, plastic, or solidified wax from other sources. Several simple tests can help differentiate ambergris from these other materials. One common method is the hot needle test: when a heated needle is pressed into ambergris, it should melt instantly into a dark, glossy, and sticky liquid without charring, often emitting a fragrant white smoke.
Another reliable indicator is the buoyancy test; genuine ambergris will float in both fresh and saltwater. The tactile test also provides clues, as ambergris typically feels waxy or greasy and is surprisingly lighter than a rock of similar size. Accurate identification often requires observing a combination of these characteristics, as no single test is entirely conclusive. While its collection is generally legal once found, regulations may vary by region due to international whale protection laws.