Why were sperm oil and spermaceti more valuable than right whale oil?

Sperm oil and spermaceti were significantly more valuable than right whale oil due to their superior chemical properties and versatility in high-demand industries during the 18th and 19th centuries.1

Spermaceti, a waxy substance found in the sperm whale's head, was highly prized for producing fine, high-quality candles, as well as for use in cosmetics, ointments, pomades, and textile finishing. Its quality was so consistent that it served as the official standard for measuring candlepower.23

Sperm oil was valued as a superior lighting fuel and, due to its ability to resist extreme pressures after treatment with sulfur, became an essential lubricant for precision instruments, high-speed machinery, and mechanical transmissions. While right whale oil was used primarily for basic lighting and soap production, the unique chemical composition of sperm whale products—specifically their utility in both delicate consumer goods and heavy industrial applications—made them far more economically significant to the commercial whaling industry until the rise of petroleum in the mid-19th century.451