Essentially, genuine sea glass is the conclusion of the remarkable story of a grain of sand’s wondrous journey. The beginning of the story starts when one grain of sand is combined with millions of other grains (plus soda and lime in a man-made process that dates back thousands of years) and glass is born. Eventually, some of that glass finds its way to the ocean in the forms of bottles, window panes, marbles or many other various glass products when they are carelessly discarded by man. But, do not despair. Nature has a brilliant recycling plan for that article of glass. With all its power and majesty, the ocean tumbles these now broken and jagged shards into magnificent sea glass gems. Then, in due time, the ocean lovingly presents its treasures back to the sand from which it was created years before. That original grain of sand has come full-circle.
Like that grain of sand, each piece of sea glass has its own history. With some knowledge and detective work, all sea glass can be traced back to specific time periods and original forms. There is so much sea glass history that entire books have been written to help unravel its fascinating story. Pick one up sometime. You will not be able to put it down!
Colors of sea glass range from common green, brown and white to rarer blue, purple and citron. For a few lucky collectors (maybe only once in a lifetime), the ocean blesses them with the rarest of colors : red, black, orange and yellow. These discoveries are heart-stopping moments for collectors!
So, the next time you find yourself walking on the beach and gazing at the water, take a moment to look down upon the sand. You may be the ocean’s next recipient of one of its remarkable and brilliant sea glass gems!
