Not sure what you found? Send us photos.
Found something waxy, unusual or strongly scented on an Australian beach? Fill in your details and I'll reply within 24 hours.
- Call Nabil · Vancouver, Pacific time+1 (778) 713-5786
- Email Nabilcontact@ambergriscanada.com
What photos should I send?
Found something waxy, unusual or strongly scented on an Australian beach? Ambergris Canada assesses possible finds from photos, for free and with no obligation. I'm Nabil Valiulla, and I check each one against the common lookalikes myself. Fill in your details and I'll reply within 24 hours.
Good photos are the key to a useful first assessment.
1Natural daylight
Avoid flash and heavy shadows.
2Several angles
Top, side, underside and a close-up.
3Add scale
A coin, a ruler or your hand beside it. A kitchen scale reading helps too.
4Show the texture
Cracks, waxy areas, anything embedded, and changes in colour.
What happens after you submit?
- 1 · Share photosClear daylight photos, on WhatsApp or the form.
- 2 · Get my assessmentI look at every photo myself and check it against pumice, tar balls, wax and the rest.
- 3 · Get my answerUsually within 24 hours, by phone or email.
- 4 · Keep it safeI tell you how to handle and store your find.
How do I keep my find in good condition?
A few simple steps keep your find in good condition.
Do
- Keep it dry
- Store it in paper or cloth
- Keep it apart from other finds
- Take photos quickly
Don't
- Don't wash it
- Don't soak it
- Don't cut it
- Don't heat it hard
A note for Australian finders
Australia's beaches have many lookalikes, including pumice, tar balls, palm oil residue, seaweed and other marine debris. Start with photos and identification before you assume anything.
The ambergris trade is not legal in Australia. What I can do is assess your find for free and tell you what it most likely is.
Compare the common lookalikesSee what I find, as I find it
I post new pieces, field trips and identification tips on Instagram.
Most of what washes up is driftwood and stone. I post the pieces that aren't, and how I tell them apart.
