Collecting seaglass is like eating potato chips…
It’s like the old adage says…you can’t stop at just one. I love the rush of excitement as I find each gem on the shore. Immediately, questions about the seaglass piece’s story flood my mind. How old is it? Where did it come from? What was it originally? Where does the color fall on the rarity scale? Is it jewelry-worthy?
These frosty shards of history are unique in their beginnings, their travels and their timelines. The key to finding them is to research the likelihood of their journey to your location, or in traveling to meet them at theirs. I study Google Earth’s satellite images, tide charts and weather patterns to determine where the highest chance of seaglass rolling in will be. Remember, beachglass begins as discarded items like bottles, dishes, windowpanes, jars and more. Speaking bluntly, there needs to be an original source of glass pollution into oceans and waterways so I look for old coastal cities, landfills near rivers, naval bases and shipping ports. Some of the highest concentrations of sea glass that I’ve found has been in the Caribbean where magazine-worthy beach vistas are actually heavily littered, and in picking up large bags of trash there I’ve stumbled onto the worthiest jewels.
Leave it to Mother Nature to turn once was discarded into the most desirable pretties! These smooth, worn lovely “Mermaid Tears” come in white, seafoam green, kelly green, honey brown, deep blue, aqua, yellow, purple, pink, grey, olive, citron, cornflower blue, almost black, red and orange - all depending on the color of the original item. Some have raised (embossed) lettering, clues to their year and place of origin. I have found seaglass with markings from as far away as Scotland, England and China all washed up here in North Florida!
Some beachcombers relate to the concept of “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Whether you’re hoping to find your first piece or are a long-time collector, follow along here as I post about the adventures (and misadventures) of this addictive love affair with the hunt for these historical relics. Coming soon - travels out West to search for sea jewels in the San Francisco, CA area! Best of luck in your own search. Remember, good finds don’t happen every day, but if you’re out in nature walking and looking at low tide you are bound to find treasures of your own. Once you’ve found one…you might not be able to stop! Enjoy your journey!
