About Sea Glass or Beach Glass
What Is Sea Glass Or Beach Glass?
It is broken glass that was worn smooth by the sea. Sharp edges soften as the glass tumbles over rocks and coral. It is further smoothed and frosted by the natural sandblasting action of the sea. Found on beaches or underwater it exists in every color, transparent and opaque. Sea glass dates from ancient times to the present, most found in the US is from the late 1800's to the 1960's.
Is Sea Glass A Gemstone Or A Stone?
I love this question and am surprised by how many people ask me this! It is very beautiful but it is glass and it is in that where the beauty lies - the sea has taken our trash and has returned it to us transformed into something that is truly gem-like. But no it is not a gemstone or a stone, it is in a category unto itself.
Does The Rough Sea Break Sea Glass?
My guess is that most pieces of sea glass were broken before they washed into the sea. The water cushions it allowing enough impact with sand and rocks to abrade it without breaking it.
Imagine the difference between tossing a handful of marbles into an empty pool and a pool full of water. In an empty pool they would shatter, in a pool full of water the marbles descent would be cushioned by the water. With tidal action the marbles would roll along the bottom and eventually become frosted from abrasion.
How Long Does It Take Sharp Glass To Be Completely Smoothed By The Sea?
How can anyone know for sure? Much of the sea glass collected has probably been in the sea for over a hundred years and it shows beautifully. In areas with powerful surf sharp glass transforms at a quicker pace than places where the water is calm.
Mermaids Tears?
There are a few different terms for sea glass such as seaglass, beachglass, beach glass, driftglass and even mermaids tears. Like driftwood or seashell I think seaglass makes the most sense.
I like the oneness of seaglass, after all those years in the sea I find that it has become something beyond man made glass. It is as if the glass has blended with sea and the two are now inseparable. I use sea glass because that is the most commonly used term.
I first started using the term natural sea glass in 1987 when I first started finding sea glass in Puerto Rico. I like the play on words that something man-made had become natural - or seems to be! Something of ours has become as appealing as a gemstone and is now found in nature.
How Does The Glass Get Into The Ocean?
It comes from shipwrecks, old coastal dumps, garbage dumped at sea or from glass items that were carried to the ocean by a waterway or storm surge. Some but not most comes from garbage left on the beach by beachgoers.
Heavy rains wash glass and other debris into streams and rivers that flow to the sea. Some is claimed by the sea when surges bring tides through coastal properties and roadways, this is called overwash and happens in the Outer Banks from time to time.
I grew up in Baltimore where "Don't Dump Chesapeake Bay Drainage" is often stenciled on storm drains that are miles away from the bay. Whatever washes into a waterway ultimately ends up in a larger body of water. Wouldn't it be something if that piece of seaglass found on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay came from one of Edgar Allan Poe's liquor bottles?
Colorful Sand?
The sea is always in motion. Eventually sea glass will wear down into grains of sand. Imagine a beach with luminous blue, aqua or red sand. Of course there is nowhere near enough sea glass for this to happen... Unless collected it will be swept back to sea where it will undergo constant change emerging next time as a slightly different and smaller piece of sea glass.
What Is The White Frosty Stuff On The Sea Glass?
Just because it came out of the sea does not mean that it is salt! It does not wash off and can only be removed by sanding or tumbling with an abrasive media. It can be disguised with baby oil, eventually the frost will show through again. Sea glass has a white frost because it has been abraded at sea. It has lost its glassy luster from years of exposure to the elements.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Sea Glass And Imitation Sea Glass?
The tell tale sign is "the white frosty stuff" imitation sea glass does not have that hard earned frosty appearance. There are subtle surface differences in the two - real sea glass may have some c shaped ding marks. It can be tricky because not all sea glass has such a heavy duty white frosty look, it varies.
In the few instances I have seen artificially tumbled sea glass it seemed to be missing something intangible. I find that real sea glass has a pranic quality.
Sea glass has hit the big time and has become well known and commercialized. This may lead to increased attempts to pass off the fake for the real.
What Sea Glass Colors Are Common And Which Are Rare?
It differs from location to location. Sea glass tells a story about the area in which it is found. What is rare in one region may be common in others. Light green or Seafoam green is uncommon in many sea glass locations yet is very common in Puerto Rico. Why? Rum and Coke! This section will tell you more about the Sea Glass Colors of Puerto Rico.
Where Can I Find Sea Glass?
Any gravel or shell pile on any beach is worth a look. Low tide is the optimum time to beachcomb. You never know what you may find so it is also worth exploring beaches that are not known for sea glass collecting. Read more here: Where To Collect Sea Glass or Beach Glass
Message In A Bottle
Sea glass is our trash that the ocean has taken in as one of it's own and returned it to us as something jewel like. It instills in us a faith that one day we will find a way to live on this earth in a sustainable way without giving up convenience or quality of life. Sea glass is the message in the bottle. It is a message of hope and encouragement from the future.
"A pioneer in drilling the glass..." - Bienvenidos Magazine