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| What is Sea Glass? |
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Sea glass (or beach glass) is glass found on beaches along oceans or large lakes that has been tumbled and smoothed by the water and sand, creating small pieces of smooth, frosted glass. Sea glass originates from bottles and jars that enter the water as litter and become broken up by the waves and rocks. Green, clear, brown, and amber beach glass is common (consider the most common colors of beer-bottles), though light blues, yellows and pink varieties have also been known to appear. Much more rare are grey, purple, bright red, and the black varieties. Red sea glass is found only once for every 5,000 pieces found. Some black sea glass is found around Australia, originating from 1940’s beer bottles. Its rarity is due to the obscure materials that were used with glass to make the bottles, which increased its rate of decomposition.
Like gathering shells or stones, collecting sea glass is a hobby among beach-goers, and many enjoy filling decorative jars or making jewelry from their finds. Generally, the sea glass that one finds has local origins; glass found in a particular location generally would have begun its transformation within the immediate vicinity. This is not always the case—some beaches have a much higher rate of transitory particulates, in which case beach glass particles may travel for several miles. It is rare for sea glass to have traveled farther than this.
Sea glass can also be produced artificially by using a rock tumbler, and some companies sell artificially produced sea glass to tourists or make jewelry from it. As authentic sea glass becomes harder and harder to find, artificial sea glass is sometimes fraudulently advertised as authentic. Rock tumbled glass is not the same as sea glass, since long-term exposure to water conditions creates an etched surface on the glass that cannot be duplicated artificially. The differences can be distinguished microscopically. Sea glass collectors claim that the term “sea glass” should be reserved for authentic specimens, and artificial sea glass should be termed “craft glass”.
Sea glass is one of the very few objects made valuable by the actions of the environment on man-made litter.
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