An extraordinary find was made by Gary and Angela Williams, who live in Overton, Lancashire, as they were taking a leisurely stroll down Middleton Sands beach, which is located close to Morecambe Bay. The unpleasant smell of rotting fish attracted their attention as they strolled down the coast, which prompted them to conduct additional investigation into the matter.
A peculiar-looking object that resembled a rock but emanated a distinct aroma was the result of their curiosity, which led them to discover it. After doing a more thorough examination, they had a strong suspicion that it could be ambergris, a rare ingredient that is frequently referred to as “whale vomit” and is highly valued in the perfume industry due to its outstanding ability to enhance fragrances.
Having been prompted by their discovery and prompted by a newspaper story that detailed the importance of such finds, the couple carefully brought the large lump, which was wrapped in a scarf, back to their home for a more in-depth investigation.
When Gary, who is 48 years old, used his fishing scales to weigh the catch, he was shocked to discover that it weighed 1.57 kilogrammes. The pair continued to have optimism over the possible worth of the item, despite the fact that it was significantly smaller than a prior discovery in the Morecambe area that had brought in an astounding £120,000 in 2013.
In order to capitalise on their discovery, which is around the size of a rugby ball, Gary, an engineer, and Angela, a nurse, who is 49 years old, are engaging with possible purchasers and investigating various channels to do so.
Ambergris, which results from the hardening of the intestinal sludge of sperm whales, is referred to as “floating gold” due to the fact that it is extremely rare and holds a significant place in the fragrance industry. These formations evolve over time within the digestive system of the whale, and they serve as a protective barrier against the sharp things that the whale swallows. It is possible that after years of drifting in the water, they will eventually wash up on shore, converted into smooth, grey lumps that are highly sought after for their aromatic qualities.
In addition to describing their discovery as “a bit of a shock,” Gary elaborated on its distinctive qualities, comparing its aroma to a mixture of squid and farm manure, and describing its texture as being similar to that of hard rubber or wax.
In the event that it is valuable, it will be of great assistance to us in regard to the acquisition of a static caravan. Gary stated, “A dream come true, that is,” expressing his optimism on the newly discovered potential riches that they could receive.
The duo has a passion for beachcombing, and they routinely search the coastline for interesting artefacts due to their interest in them. Their most recent discovery, which was made only this past Sunday, is currently being kept in a secure location while they seek advice from specialists in both France and New Zealand evaluating the value of the substance.
The appeal and lucrative nature of these rare maritime gems is highlighted by the fact that previous findings of ambergris have commanded substantial sums of money. For example, a 2.7-kilogram chunk sold for £120,000 in 2013, while a 1.1-kilogram piece sold for £11,000 at an auction in Macclesfield, Cheshire, in September of last year.
