In this post we will explain how to identify Ambergris.

After we wrote a post with some beginners tips on how to find ambergris, we thought it would be helpful to follow up with a more in depth explanation on what Ambergris looks, smells and feels like.

It’s probably worth noting that identifying Ambergris is very difficult, because each piece is unique.

The most accurate way would be to take it to a specialist.

Please do remember though if you are from the US or Australia it is illegal for you to even take it home!

What does Ambergris look like?

The first part of identifying ambergris you will want to familiarize yourself with is how it looks.

As no Ambergris looks the same, it comes in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes.

Due to this, identifying it on looks alone can be very difficult to do, which is ultimately the reason why it is so rare.

Most commonly Ambergris will be black, white, grey or brown in color and in some circumstances it will be a mixture.

Imagine a piece of dried out clay if you will, the colors of Ambergris will be dull and it will feel hard like a rock.

If your Ambergris has an edge that seems broken, you should see layers.

(don’t purposely break the Ambergris as you will devalue it)

Something else I found out while researching was that sometimes Ambergris is found with “Squid beaks” lodged in the Ambergris, they are small shiny and black like a shell usually no larger than an inch wide.

Here’s some picture examples to help you identify Ambergris.

What does Ambergris smell like?

Once you’ve found something that you believe “looks” like Ambergris you are now going to have to carry out some further tests, to further verify its authenticity.

Another way of helping to confirm you have found Ambergris is to use your sense of smell.

Although I have myself never found Ambergris, not through lack of trying I may add, many people have well documented what they believe it smells like.

Most commonly the smell is described as sweet and musky, much like brazil nuts.

Gunther Ohloff who was a prominent German fragrance chemist from East Prussia was said to describe the smell of Ambergris as a variety of fragrances such as ‘humid, earthy, faecal (ewww), marine, algoid, tobacco-like, sandalwood-like, sweet, animal, musky and radiant‘

(source https://perfumesociety.org)

So if you pick it up and give it a good sniff try to see if you can pick out any of the smells that Gunther described.

Hopefully though, you don’t pick up some dried dog poop. Good luck!

What does Ambergris feel like?

So you’re on a roll, it looks like Ambergris and it smells like Ambergris what now?

Well it has to feel like it too!

So the next step of identifying Ambergris is to understand what it feels like.

To begin with as you pick it up you should feel surprised at it’s weight, it should weigh less than what you initially imagined especially if comparing to a rock of the same size.

It should also have a waxy feel to it.

Although not soft by no means you should be able to create a mark in it with your finger nail by pushing it down into the suspected Ambergris.

So that’s what it should feel like, but I hate to tell you this many people believe they have found Ambergris when they haven’t so you’re not rich yet!

How to test Ambergris

No home test is a sure fire way of identifying Ambergris, however it’s another good piece of evidence to help you decide whether to approach the experts without looking silly.

Only experts will be able to accurately identify Ambergris so if after carrying out all of your own research and tests, you still believe you are onto a winner then you should contact an expert.

There are two main tests you can perform to help you with identifying Ambergris:

The Hot Needle Test

What you will need:

A lighter or flame of some sort.
A needle.
Suspected Ambergris.
A flat surface.

Step 1: Place the item you believe to be Ambergris on a flat surface.

Step 2: Take the needle and lighter or flame and heat the tip of the needle until it is as hot as possible.

Step 3: Take the hot needle and place it on the item for approximately 3 – 5 seconds, then remove it. (ensure that the tip of the hot needle is flat on the surface of the item)

Step 4: Look closely at your suspected Ambergris, has there been a line left on the surface where the needle lay? If your item is in fact Ambergris the surface of it should melt leaving a melted line as thin as your needle.

Step 5: Still looking closely can you see any residue around the melted line, if so is it black or caramel in color, is it sticky to touch? If it hasn’t melted then it is not Ambergris.

(Source : Ambergris Traders)

The Hot Spoon Test

What you will need:

Lighter or flame
Old metal Spoon
Suspected Ambergris
Knife or sharp instrument

Step 1: Take the knife or sharp instrument and remove a very small piece of the item you believe to be ambergris, you should be able to chip it right off. (approx 1.5cm diameter)

Step 2: Take the chipped off part of the item and place it in an old spoon.

Step 3: Lift up the spoon in one hand and in the other you should take your lighter and heat the spoon from beneath. If you are using a flame hold the spoon over the flame.

Step 4: Ambergris will melt after a few seconds, continue to melt the suspect ambergris until it becomes completely liquidized.

Step 5: Allow a few seconds for it to cool and then take your forefinger and dip it in the liquid.

Step 6: When you have some of the liquid on your finger pinch together repeatedly with your thumb, if it’s Ambergris it should be tacky and slightly stick your thumb and forefinger together.

(if the liquid melts to a very dark brown or black it is a very good indication that you have found Ambergris)

(Source: News Sahaba)

Summary

If after reading this post you have carried out all of the tests to identify your Ambergris and still believe that you are in possession of Ambergris then it’s time to contact the experts.

There are many companies that will check and purchase the Ambergris from you, a simple Google search will reveal them.

Remember though to first check the legalities of your place of residence first, as I mentioned in another post, it could be illegal for you to even remove it from the beach you found it at, let alone sell it.