Imagine the rhythmic song of the waves, the tang of salt in the air, the cool grit of sand underfoot and, with a little luck, a glimpse of light reflecting off a small surface. The glitter of light catches the eye and brings one in for a closer look. Is it a sea shell? A shiny stone? Or a piece of ocean-worn glass? Is it sea glass—that elusive treasure that lures beachcombers to shorelines around the world?
While the pursuit of sea glass may be a romantic endeavor, its origin is anything but. Sea glass, as I’ve learned, originates from old bottles and broken glass which was discarded along the shore or dumped into the ocean. Over time—between 20-40 years—the push and pull of the ocean tides combined with the chemical transformation from the salt water turns the glass trash into sea glass gems.
For many sea glass fans, this unlikely transformation is part of the appeal. According to Jane Claire McHenry of Sea Glass Jewelry by Jane “…sea glass is symbolic of renewal and healing. I believe that a well-worn piece of sea glass is a testament to strength and survival, something that is almost spiritual. Sea glass philosophy is about accepting one’s imperfections and believing that persistence and time will smooth and soften them just as a jagged piece of sea glass is transformed over time into a new creation that is even more beautiful than before.”
Just to clarify, the terms “sea glass” and “beach glass” are used interchangeably but, to be quite accurate about it, sea glass is formed by salt water while beach glass is formed by fresh water. The physical and chemical differences between the salt and fresh water environments produces slightly different characteristics in the glass. Another, more whimsical, term often used to describe sea glass is “mermaid’s tears”.
Sea glass can be found in a variety of colors. The most common colors are clear (which becomes a frosty white), green and brown. Colors can often be traced back to their origins. For instance, the most common source of brown sea glass is beer bottles. Wine bottles produce medium-dark green sea glass. Fragments of early, ordinary window glass transform into very light blue, almost white, sea glass.
Shown below, beside a naturally-rounded piece of sandstone, are 4 different colors of sea glass including clear (frosted white), seafoam, green and brown.
The availability of different colors has led to designations of rarity. Categories such as of common, uncommon, rare and extremely rare are often used. But for the more sophisticated sea glass collector, sea glass guides provide more detailed categories. One guide I found online, the Carter Sea Glass Color and Rarity Guide, sorts sea glass into 81 descriptively named colors and rates them for rarity on a scale of 1 to 10.
The below photo features clear sea glass gems which have transformed to frosty white.
Blue-colored sea glass is less common and eagerly sought after but it’s not as rare as orange and red.
Just for fun, here’s a sundae dish serving up pieces of clear and seafoam sea glass topped off with a piece of green sea glass.
To increase my odds of actually finding a sea glass gem on my first hunt, I did a little research online and quizzed an experienced “picker” (Thank you Bert!). Here are the tips that worked for me:
1. Location Select a destination that is known for being a good source of sea glass. Be aware of the rules and regulations since some locations do not allow beachcombers to keep their finds. Keep in mind, sea glass picking has been popular for many years and desirable locations may not be as prolific as they once were. Beautiful Inverness Beach on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is a great location for sea glass picking.
2. Timing Ocean waves carry sea glass to the shore so it makes sense to go at low tide or when the tide is on the way out. Another factor to consider is weather—picking is reported to be better after a storm. Getting to the beach early to be the first picker, or simply to enjoy the sunrise, is another option. The below masterpiece, courtesy of Mother Nature, was sunrise at Crowbush Cove on Prince Edward Island’s north shore.
3. Technique Walk slowly and scan the ground. Some people recommend walking along the “wrack” which is the furthest point the tide has carried debris. Alternatively, sea glass gems can be found by sifting through small stones or searching amongst rocks.
4. Logistics Bring deep pockets or a bag that won’t rip. Keep both hands free for picking.
5. Attitude Be realistic—don’t expect to find a large piece of extremely rare red glass on the first outing. Be patient and enjoy the experience!
Here’s the first piece of sea glass I found. For the record, I drew the arrow in the sand so it would show up in the photo—there are no arrows pointing to sea glass gems on the beach!
One final tip: when getting creative and staging photos of sea glass in the waves, remember the ocean can reclaim that glass as easily as it delivered it in the first place! (Don’t worry; no sea glass was lost in the making of this photo.)
More Info
Special thanks to my always generous mother-in-law, Bertha, for kindly sharing her passion for sea glass as well as a considerable portion of her own collection.
There is the question, of course, of what to do with all this lovely sea glass. Incorporating it into a necklace or other piece of jewelry is a popular choice. Displaying it in a clear glass bowl or vase, especially under water in a shallow dish, is a great option. There are dozens of possibilities. I’ve started a Pinterest board to collect ideas and spark inspiration. Check it out here.
The North America Sea Glass Association provides resources on sea glass, hosts sea glass festivals and “educates the collector, consumer and retailer as to the properties and benefits of genuine, pure, natural beach unaltered sea glass”. Interestingly, as the supply of natural sea glass dwindles, there is a growing trend towards creating sea glass artificially. This can be done by altering, grinding, acid etching, sand blasting or tumbling pieces of glass to replicate genuine sea glass. Since it’s much easier and less expensive to make artificial sea glass than to find genuine sea glass, it’s important for consumers to be aware of this practice.
Beachcombing magazine (formerly Glassing Magazine) has lots of interesting articles about sea glass. “Beachcombing is a print and digital magazine dedicated to beachcombing, beach travel, coastal arts, and coastal living. Each issue is full of stories about sea glass and beach glass, shells, fossils, beach rocks, driftwood, and more from shorelines around the world.”
Check out the beautiful Sea Glass Jewelry by Jane on her website or Instagram account.
Today’s Takeaways
1. Arguably, Mother Nature’s power and beauty is most evident where the ocean meets the land.
2. Consider strolling a shoreline in pursuit of sea glass gems.
3. Sometimes the most beautiful treasures have the most unlikely beginnings.
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