Sea Glass
Sea glass is a magical and captivating treasure found on the shorelines and beaches along bodies of salt water. While most beach items are leftovers from human and industrial waste that has been broken down and reshaped by erosive forces of the ocean, real sea glass is a product of nature that has been worn smooth by the waves and sand of the sea itself.
Sea glass, usually referred to as beach glass, originated in the 1800s and early 1900s, a time when glass items were routinely discarded and flushed back out to the shorelines by the tides. These pieces were worked upon by the ocean and eventually were rolled, tumbled and carved into the most beautiful and alluring shapes imaginable. Some of the more popular colors of sea glass include brown, red, green, white, and cobalt blue.
Sea glass has become a popular craft material. Its captivating allure has been used to make necklaces, earrings and other handmade art pieces. Many who have developed a passion for crafting with sea glass also have a tendency to collect or “Beachcomb” with purpose. A seasoned beachcomber knows that the shape and texture of each piece can be an indication of when and where the piece originated from.
Some of the most common pieces of beach glass are shard glass which can be found in every kind of hue. This type of sea glass is usually the most plentiful and easiest to find, sometimes found singlely and other times stuck together to create larger pieces. The second type of sea glass is called “rubbish” glass. This type is less weathered than shard glass and is usually still in a recognizable shape. Bottle or beverage shaped glass is the third type of sea glass and while it’s the most rare, it’s also the most spectacular to lay eyes upon. Getting a bottle with a flat surface is a huge accomplishment of beachcombing.
No matter the type of glass found, sea glass is considered by many to be a magical and valuable item. Each one is special and can take the beachcomber on a journey to a certain beach in a certain time and place. Collecting sea glass could be considered a hobby, one with a huge payoff in the form of beautiful pieces of glass that each come to life with a vivid and captivating story.
