A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all cases its true origin. In color it is white, ash-gray, yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a white vapor at 212° Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery.
The rarest of raw materials ambergris is essentially whale vomit! Sperm whales are unable to completely digest the beaks and other bony parts of the squid that they feed on regularly. These partially digested bony parts collect in a whale stomach until the whale regurgitates these masses into the sea. The combination of salt water and ocean weather further processes the regurgitated material. Eventually it washes up on shore in solid form where it is collected and processed in the only ambergris processing plant in the world, located in France.
True ambergris, said to smell like a combination of cypress and patchouli, is secreted by sperm whales. Commercial ambergris is usually an oil blend that mimics this scent.
waxy material found in the intestinal tract of sperm whales presumably to help with the digestive passage of squids' beaks. The largest hunk of ambergris found was 926 pounds. It is used as a fixative for perfumes and, in some countries, as an aphrodisiac.
a waxy, ash coloured substance in the lower intestines of the sperm whale once highly prized as a fixative in the perfume industry.
waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale and found floating at sea or washed ashore; used in perfume
A fragrant secretion of the sperm whale, used in perfumes.
A waxy substance from the sperm whale used in the manufacture of perfumes.
A waxy grayish substance found in sperm whales. Sperm whales were harvested for this substance, which was used to make perfumes.
A substance found in the Sperm Whale used as an agent in perfumes.
From the old French ambre gris meaning "grey amber", it is a grayish waxy substance found only in the intestines of most sperm whales. It was used as a fixative in the perfume industry.
Ambergris is a waxy substance produced by sperm whales' intestines. It is sometimes found floating on the oceans. It may be used to protect the whales from the sharp beaks of the giant squid that they eat. People used ambergris in making perfumes.
Secretion from the male sperm whale, often found floating in the ocean. The Chinese once used it as an aphrodisiac. Ambergris imparts a woody, balsamic odor. Substitutes are used more often today, because the natural substance is difficult to obtain.
A waxy, grayish substance formed in the intestines of sperm whales and sometimes found floating at sea or washed ashore. Used as a fixative in perfumes.
One of the most valuable of perfume ingredients and also one of the most legendary. Ambergris is found in oily, grey lumps floating in the sea, mainly in the Indian Ocean or cast upon its shores. Its odor is most unpleasant in this raw state and it has to be diluted considerable by dissolving it in alcohol for it to be highly fragrant. Quality perfumes which contain ambergris include: Amouage, Miss Dior, Parure, and Vol de Nuit.
Ambergris (Ambra grisea, Ambre gris, ambergrease, or grey amber) is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull grey or blackish color, with the shades being variegated like marble. It possesses a peculiar sweet, earthy odour not unlike isopropyl alcohol. Now largely replaced by synthetics, it is occasionally still used as a fixative in perfumery.