Organic (Zoogenic)

Ambergris

Ambrein (C30H52O Derivative)

Hardness: 1-1.5 (Mohs), Color: Grey, brown, or black with whitish mottling, Luster: Waxy to dull, Structure: Amorphous/lipid-based mass, Specific Gravity: 0.78-0.92 (floats in water).

Hardness: 1-1

Identified March 29, 2026More organic (zoogenic) →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 1-1.5 (Mohs), Color: Grey, brown, or black with whitish mottling, Luster: Waxy to dull, Structure: Amorphous/lipid-based mass, Specific Gravity: 0.78-0.92 (floats in water).

Formation & geological history

Produced in the digestive system of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) around indigestible cephalopod beaks. It can be found floating at sea or washed up on coastlines after aging for years or decades in the ocean.

Uses & applications

Used historically and in high-end perfumery as a fixative to make scents last longer. Collected by beachcombers for its high market value.

Geological facts

Freshly produced ambergris has a fecal odor, but after years of oxidation and exposure to seawater, it develops a complex, sweet, earthy scent. It is often referred to as 'floating gold.'

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its waxy texture, the 'hot needle test' (it melts into a black liquid and emits white smoke), and its ability to float. Commonly found on beaches in New Zealand, the Maldives, and the Bahamas.