Australian ambergris: your questions answered

The same as anywhere in the world, but many Australian beach finds are lookalikes. Real ambergris may feel waxy and lighter than expected, with a matte finish, and may smell earthy, musky, marine or sweet when gently warmed. It should not smell strongly of petroleum, sewage, chemicals or seaweed. See the full Australia identification guide.

Pumice is very light, porous and full of holes. It can float, but it does not feel waxy, does not leave a faint residue, and has no musky or sweet aroma when warmed.

Usually, in saltwater. But floating alone is not enough: pumice, wax, fat and other debris float too. Treat the float test as one sign among several.

Fresh ambergris may smell fishy, fecal or strong. Aged ambergris can smell earthy, musky, sweet, marine or powdery. If the smell is clearly petroleum-like, chemical, rotten or sewage-like, it may be a lookalike.

Its value depends on grade, weight, purity and condition. White or pearl ambergris is the highest grade, grey comes next, and dark or black is the lowest. See the full grading guide.

By the gram. If you can, weigh your find on a kitchen scale and include the weight when you send photos. It helps me give you a faster first view.

No. Do not wash, soak, scrape, cut or polish the piece. Send photos first. Cleaning makes the assessment less accurate and can damage the material.

Yes. A small piece is still worth assessing if its grade, scent, purity and condition are strong.

Send me clear photos in natural daylight on WhatsApp or through the assessment form. Include the top, side, a close-up, the underside, something for scale, the rough weight and where you found it.

I do. I am Nabil Valiulla, founder of Ambergris Canada, with more than 20 years of experience and 4,678 specimens assessed.

No. The assessment is done from photos. Keep your find with you, dry and safe.

Yes. The photo assessment is free, with no obligation.

Usually within 24 hours for clear photos.

Common lookalikes include pumice, palm oil or vegetable fat residue, tar balls, fatbergs or sewage balls, kelp, driftwood, tree resin, whale blubber and other oily marine debris. See my ambergris lookalikes guide for a side-by-side comparison.

Tar balls are usually dark, sticky or hard and rounded, and may smell strongly of petroleum or chemicals. They can turn up after oil pollution at sea.

Clumps of human waste, oils, grease and other pollutants that can wash ashore. They may look unusual, but they usually smell foul and should not be handled directly.

Yes. Palm oil or vegetable fat residue can look pale, waxy and soft. But it is usually too greasy, and it smells oily, rancid or vegetable-like rather than musky or marine.

The ambergris trade is not legal in Australia. I can still assess your find for free and tell you what it most likely is.

Ambergris can wash ashore anywhere, but remote, storm-exposed coastlines are worth checking after strong weather, high tides and unusual debris. See the Australia coastal guide.

Do not wash it. Take photos. Store it dry. Avoid direct handling if it smells of oil, sewage or chemicals. Use the identification guide and the finder guide, and send me photos for a free assessment.