Welcome to my blog where you can discover everything you want to know about sea glass, and shop for beautiful sea glass beads, sea glass jewelry and bulk sea glass.
What is sea glass?
Sea glass, also known as beach glass, trash glass, ocean glass and mermaid tears, can be found all over the world, most commonly on ocean beaches, but also along large lakes. This beautiful tumbled glass, frosted with glowing colors, comes from wherever mankind has left his footprint and his trash behind him. This humble origin of sea glass comes from old bottles, glassware, jars and anything made of glass. It finds its way into the ocean as trash from deliberate dumping, storm run off or shipwrecks. Sea glass does not rust nor decompose, and comes back to life again in a different form that delights beach glass collectors worldwide. These glass shards require time, sand, rocks and waves to create worn, natural sea glass. They tumble around in the sea for 10-50 years or more before finding their way to the shore as sparkling, frosted recycled glass. Their frosted characteristic that identifies real sea glass is caused by the salt water around it leaching some of the soda and lime components over time. Sea glass caught in the ever changing ocean tides exposes the glass to sunlight, which like the water, also alters it. Once the glass shards are trapped in the waves, they quickly become true tumbled sea glass. Finding sea glass on the beach brings out the wonder and mystery as to where our found treasures originated. We soon find our souls under the sea glass spell, and keep coming back for more.
There is a difference between real sea glass and manufactured sea glass. Manufactured sea glass simply cannot duplicate the irregular pitting that is found on real ocean glass. Manufactured sea glass is defined by a smooth, even texture, and often an angular shape. The rough, irregular surface and shape defines authentic sea glass along with the frosted patina colors that result from years of salt water erosion.
The value of sea glass can be defined by both personal value and commercial value. Collecting sea glass is a hobby for many people who enjoy finding a use for it such as filling decorative bowls and jars or making jewelry. Finding sea glass can be done all around the world where you can meet like minded people who share your interest while you enjoy the relaxation of being by the water. The commercial value is hard to define except for the creation of special products made from sea glass, and the find of rare sea glass colors. Perhaps the only true value of sea glass is defined simply by its being authentic. Authentic sea glass is becoming a diminishing resource as we protect our oceans and environment from trash dumping.
Today, many artists are using their trash glass treasures to create sea glass beads and jewelry among other products. I hope you will find some of your own ocean glass treasures on this site. As the abundance of sea glass diminishes, who knows, we may see it become more valuable. So start your sea glass collection today!
May you have long, peaceful walks along the ocean in search of sea glass gems.
Happy hunting for those rare mermaid tears!
