What can I do with a chunk of ambergris?
March 6, 2023 9:07 AM Subscribe
When my mother passed away a few years ago, one of the things I inherited from her was a small, dark chunk of resinous material with an intensely sweet and penetrating odor. I suspect that it's natural ambergris. If so, I don't think I can lawfully possess it or sell it in the U.S.
It's a small, brownish chunk about the size of the top joint of my thumb. I dimly recall my mother telling me that her father had acquired it as a curiosity when she was a young girl, which would make it at least 60-70 years old. She kept it in a small, zippered vinyl pouch, where it still is, and the scent is still very strong.
Does anyone have any suggestions for what I could do with a small piece of aged ambergris in the U.S.? I don't care for the heavy scent, so I don't want to wear it or have it in the open about my house, but I also don't want to just throw it away. Would it be of interest to a natural history museum?
It's a small, brownish chunk about the size of the top joint of my thumb. I dimly recall my mother telling me that her father had acquired it as a curiosity when she was a young girl, which would make it at least 60-70 years old. She kept it in a small, zippered vinyl pouch, where it still is, and the scent is still very strong.
Does anyone have any suggestions for what I could do with a small piece of aged ambergris in the U.S.? I don't care for the heavy scent, so I don't want to wear it or have it in the open about my house, but I also don't want to just throw it away. Would it be of interest to a natural history museum?
I'd suggest contacting The Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts. They might want it, or know who would be able to do something appropriate with it.
Seconding this, they'd probably be the most knowledgeable people about this. I've been there, they're nice and friendly. If you want to learn more about ambergris and like reading, you might enjoy the book Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris which is about ten years old but really interesting. Ambergris is intensely sought after by people and institutions. If you had a local natural history museum I bet they'd be really interested. Also maybe worth talking to people at a local academic institution who might have scholars who would take an interest.
posted by jessamyn at 4:53 PM on March 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
Seconding this, they'd probably be the most knowledgeable people about this. I've been there, they're nice and friendly. If you want to learn more about ambergris and like reading, you might enjoy the book Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris which is about ten years old but really interesting. Ambergris is intensely sought after by people and institutions. If you had a local natural history museum I bet they'd be really interested. Also maybe worth talking to people at a local academic institution who might have scholars who would take an interest.
posted by jessamyn at 4:53 PM on March 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
Could it be the kind of amber resin used as perfume? I have a small chunk that matches your description. Brownish, strong sweet smell. I've had it for a long time (20 yrs) and it still smells very strong.
I thought ambergris is white, grey or yellowish in color.
posted by Ochre,Hugh at 9:01 PM on March 6, 2023 [2 favorites]
I thought ambergris is white, grey or yellowish in color.
posted by Ochre,Hugh at 9:01 PM on March 6, 2023 [2 favorites]
I would contact the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in Berkeley. They have ambergris as part of their exhibit of animal scents (I was there just 3 weeks ago, highly recommended) and they would know what to do with it.
posted by oxisos at 10:36 PM on March 6, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by oxisos at 10:36 PM on March 6, 2023 [2 favorites]
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I'd suggest contacting The Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts. They might want it, or know who would be able to do something appropriate with it.
It is also possible that scientists who study cetaceans or the chemical composition of the ocean or something similar would have a use for some ambergris. If you wanted to pursue that, one starting point would be contacting The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:13 AM on March 6, 2023 [9 favorites]