What makes the whale excreted ambergris highly expensive?

In 2021, 20 kg of ambergris was found in the possession of local men in Chettuva in Thrissur.

Three people were arrested by the Forrest Department for the offence.

Such news always leaves many wondering about what this substance is, and what makes it highly expensive.

What is ambergris?

Ambergris is a substance that is excreted from sperm whales.

Its sale is prohibited in India, according to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972

An adult sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whale species and measures up to 60 feet in length.

These sperm whales are an endangered species.

The uses

Ambergris is one of the most vital elements in perfumery. It is used in perfumes primarily for the longevity of the scent.

An odourless type of alcohol called ambrein is extracted from ambergris to make a perfume’s scent last longer.

Ambergris is in high demand in Middle East and European nations. 

However, the synthetically produced Ambroxan is used extensively these days as an alternative.

Ambergris vs whale vomit

Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris, a book by English scientist and science journalist Christopher Kemp, gives insights into the creation of ambergris.

According to the book, contrary to the newspaper headlines, there are differences between whale vomit and ambergris.

A sperm whale has four stomachs. Its diet also includes cephalopods like squids and cuttlefish, but it cannot digest some of their parts, like the beak.

Often, these nondigested remains are vomited out. This is considered merely whale vomit, and not ambergris.

In some cases, however, these indigestible parts move to the intestine, and could cause harm there because of their sharpness.

There, a greasy substance is secreted to cover up these animal parts. The resulting mas is ambergris.