Couple Stunned After Stumbling Across "Weird Stone" On The Beach – And It Could Be Worth £50,000

When they smelled rotting fish, Overton, Lancashire residents Gary and Angela Williams were walking along Middleton Sands beach close to Morecambe Bay. They followed the smell until they came upon an odd-looking “rock” that looked like a chunk of ambergris, sometimes known as “whale vomit,” which is used to make perfume.

The scarcity of ambergris is a significant factor contributing to its high value. Sperm whales, the primary source of this precious substance, produce ambergris as a reaction to the irritation in the lining of their intestines caused by indigestible items in their diet, such as squid beaks. Over time, the mass is expelled by the whale and floats on the ocean's surface, where it undergoes a natural aging process, transforming its scent and texture. Due to the rarity of finding intact pieces of ambergris, the substance has become a symbol of exclusivity and luxury within the fragrance industry.